17d • General
Are we taught to avoid stress?
I was thinking about what normal protocol is for stress - you hear a lot of “self-care”…”take a day off”…”do something to relax, like take a walk”.
But what if the "secret" to beating stress and anxiety is actually the opposite of relaxing?
Most of the stress we feel doesn't actually come from the tasks on our plate—it comes from avoiding them.
Think about that one difficult conversation you’re putting off. The more you skirt around it, the bigger it grows in your head. You spend way more energy worrying about it than it would actually take to just have the conversation.
Avoidance is the primary fuel for stress.
When you stop running and actually "live through" the stress, two cool things happen:
1. You get better at life: Every time you "figure it out" in real-time, you build competence. Competence leads to self-trust, and self-trust is the only real way to feel certain in an uncertain world.
2. Your body adapts: Your nervous system is actually pretty smart. When you face a "scary" situation and survive, your body realizes it doesn't need to hit the panic button so hard next time.
Growth happens at the edge
This isn't about inviting chaos into your life. It’s just a reminder that growth doesn't happen in the cozy, comfortable center—it happens at the edge of your ability.
Next time you feel that hit of fear or procrastination, don't run. Take one small step toward it. You’ll find the only way out is usually straight through. ⚡️
⬇️💬 Is there something you’ve been putting off because it feels a bit "too much"? What’s one small move you can make on it today?
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Are we taught to avoid stress?
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