17/09/2025
I’ve been thinking about something Michael Easter writes about in “The Comfort Crisis” - how our relentless pursuit of ease is making us less healthy and less resilient.
We’ve engineered beneficial discomfort right out of our lives.
This week I dusted off my corporate gear and stepped in front a wonderful group of 24 engineers to deliver a workshop on Stress Management.
While I wasn’t as nervous as I’d had been in the past, I still had those moments of doubt, that quiet little voice that whispered, ‘Do I know enough? Am I prepared enough? What if they don’t like me?!’
I took a dose of my own medicine (as my clients well know) and embraced the discomfort.
The results: I had a great time. People engaged, laughed and shared some great insights and questions! I felt connected. Meaning flooded in. The discomfort was replaced by growth, awareness and fulfilment!
So what if we intentionally invite discomfort back into our lives?
When we choose deliberate challenges - whether it’s nature’s cold morning air, a trail that tests our limits, or speaking our truth in front of strangers - something powerful happens.
It’s in those moments of overcoming that inner resistance that we know we’re growing.
Science backs this up: deliberate challenge strengthens our stress response system (known as our window of distress tolerance) and builds resilience.
When we voluntarily embrace discomfort, our prefrontal cortex develops enhanced cognitive flexibility and emotional regulation capabilities.
Psychology calls it “stress inoculation” - a psychological armour that serves us across many life situations.
Each time we meet that challenge we connect with parts of ourselves we once left behind or never knew existed.
The space between fear and success isn’t empty - it’s where opportunity lives.
Comfort is the only thing standing between you and your dreams.
How is comfort costing you?
With love
Marissa x
