When facing discomfort or uncertainty, practice sitting with it and allowing it to simply be, rather than resisting or reacting to it, as there is “another way” to engage with these feelings.
Use mindfulness to approach discomfort with tenderness and curiosity, gently welcoming it instead of fighting it, which helps you stay present and connected even when things are unclear.
Employ mindfulness to create space for discomfort, opening yourself to accept and befriend it, and inwardly affirm that “It’s okay not to know” or “It’s okay to feel unsettled.”
Inwardly address your discomfort with compassion, saying “My dear discomfort, I see you. It’s okay for you to be here. I’m here with you. I will do my best to take care of you,” allowing yourself to express what arises and offer it the care it needs.
In daily life, when discomfort or uncertainty arises, pause to recognize it (e.g., “This is discomfort”), feel where it lives in your body, and greet it with presence, as this gentle awareness creates space to respond instead of react.
Recognize discomfort and uncertainty not as enemies, but as teachers; by turning towards them with mindfulness and compassion, you can reveal insights that might otherwise be missed.
Allow yourself to rest in the space of not knowing without feeling the need to resolve anything, recognizing the deep strength in staying with a question and allowing the answer to ripen in its own time.
Gently ask what your discomfort might be trying to show you or what you are being called to understand, then simply listen without rushing to a conclusion, trusting that even silence is part of the response.
Recall a recent uncomfortable or uncertain situation (not traumatic), then notice how that feeling manifests in your body (e.g., tightness, restlessness) without attempting to fix it, simply observing and allowing.
With each breath, stay close to feelings of discomfort, gently naming them (e.g., “Uncertainty is here”) as you would greet an old friend, and observe the effect of acknowledging them without needing to change them.
Observe any judgment or resistance you have towards your feelings, and then soften towards that judgment itself, offering it kindness as you would cradle a part of yourself trying to make sense of the unknown.
If a practice becomes too intense, pause by opening your eyes, looking around, connecting with your environment, stretching, or shifting posture, knowing you can return when you feel ready.
Before engaging with difficult feelings, ground yourself by bringing to mind a place, person, or being that evokes feelings of safety and ease, allowing these feelings to infuse your body and build inner resources.
To begin a meditation or find grounding, find a comfortable position, allow your body to relax, and feel the solidity of the earth beneath you, resting into its support.
Gently connect with your breath, allowing it to be just as it is, flowing in and out steadily and effortlessly, without any need to change or manage it, simply following its natural rhythm.
Move your attention through your body to notice and release areas of tension (e.g., jaw, shoulders), and simultaneously notice any spacious or neutral areas, allowing those sensations to support you.
Allow your breath to hold and support you as you practice sitting with feelings or situations that are hard to endure.
If it helps, place a hand over your heart or belly to ground your awareness through physical touch.
Utilize guided meditations that accompany podcast episodes to help remember and internalize the wisdom learned from conversations, as meditation is an effective way to “pound the wisdom into your neurons.”
To transition out of a meditative practice, slowly bring movement back into your body by wiggling fingers or toes, taking a deep breath, shifting your posture, and gently opening your eyes if they were closed.
Explore the experience of welcoming discomfort as a natural part of your human experience, viewing it not as a mistake or a problem to solve, but simply as something to be present with.