When You're Not Feeling Comfortable
Discomfort can point to the right next step
When considering your work in this world – whether that be in your creative work or an authentic business or some other creative pursuit, I find there is a lot of talk about being in a flow state—staying fluid, like a stream or a river, rolling toward the sea. And there’s also a lot written about being receptive—staying light and curious, like a butterfly, flitting from one sweet stamen to another.
Being in a state of flow or in alert curiosity about your work is a lovely space to be in. It’s full, and nourishing. The minutes meld into hours. The sparks of connections leave you tingly with possibilities.
And, the truth is, there are also periods when you just aren’t there. This is true for everyone seeking to bring their work to the world in an authentic way.
There may be times when you feel listless or disinterested in your work. It may feel staid or tired, like you’ve been standing around in an old elevator or the lobby of a post office.
And there may be periods when you’re uncomfortable with your work in the world.
Maybe you're on the cusp of something new. Or perhaps there’s a foundational change you know you need to make. Or perhaps you sense you're needing to step out and use your voice in a new way. Maybe you feel yourself being asked to become more visible with your work in the world.
This liminal space - this area where you sense your work and yourself are about to transform - can feel uncomfortable. It’s there in your body, like a too-small t-shirt. You can tug the shirt on. It still fits and doesn't bind you, but your movements feel somehow less free.
This is the point where we so often want to flee.
Sometimes we run into the arms of distraction, which in and of itself is nothing to feel bad about. But when we keep choosing that versus what we know is our work in the world, we can slowly get stuck.
At other times, we run back into the patterns or busy-ness that feel so familiar. They’re what we grew up, or into, knowing; and yet we know deep down they aren’t how we want to be and, in fact, may be getting in the way of what we’re here to do.
Energy always moves
If you don’t flee, if you can stay with the discomfort, I promise it will begin to shift.
Then, you can settle down and ask what is there for you to know. You can understand Is there anything to do now?
There may be an action - small or big - that you're being called to take. If so, you'll hear it and you’ll see the path there is much easier than you thought.
Or there may not yet be anything to do. The mists surrounding this new way of being with your work may still be coming into focus. And the resting into that mysterious readying will feel best.
Either way, when you don’t run, you’re able to be with yourself. You’ll sense the signs and hear the call of your own knowing.
Even if you seem to be standing still, your heart will be turned in the right direction, toward what you’re being called to bring forth. Toward that which gives you life.