Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you’re avoiding a topic or a task? You feel an uncomfortable twist in your gut or maybe you notice it in someone else, like when they’re fidgeting or avoiding eye contact at the start of a conversation.
Trust me, we’ve all been there. And often, we’re not quite sure if we’re avoiding the thing because we’re just not ready to face it or if we’re actually preparing ourselves for the challenge ahead.
The good news is there’s a way to make the discomfort work for you. But first, you need to understand the distinction between the right kind of hard and the wrong kind. The right kind of hard acknowledges the discomfort. It helps you inch your way into it even if you’re not sure what is on the other side. It’s about being real with yourself, even when it’s tough.
On the flip side, the wrong kind of hard is all about pretending. Toxic positivity, delusional thinking—basically telling yourself (and others) a story to avoid the real conversation. The wrong kind leads to unnecessary suffering.
In this miniseries on “The Right Kind of Hard,” we will learn how to identify the right kind from the wrong kind and how to get plugged into useful work so that we can move along a path that helps us grow.
I’m so glad you’re here as part of the “Don’t Cut Your Own Bangs” community. Thank you for listening!
CONNECT WITH ME
I greatly appreciate your support and engagement as part of the “Don’t Cut Your Own Bangs” community. Feel free to reach out with questions, comments, or anything you’d like to share. You can listen to the latest episode below!
NEW! I’M ON SUBSTACK
I’m now on Substack and I’d love for you to check it out. Substack is its own platform that is teeming with my favorite thought leaders, writers, and authors—incredible people who are asking interesting questions and exploring interesting answers. I’m throwing my hat in the ring and putting engaging content out there, too. So, click the link (https://danielleireland.substack.com/) to subscribe. You’ll stay up to date and never miss out on the best new material.
Explore the Treasured Journal
If you’re having trouble thinking through the contours of a difficult relationship, I recommend journaling. For me, journaling has been a game-changing tool. Just grab a pen and put your thoughts on paper. If you’re thinking “I’ve tried before but didn’t really know if I was doing it right,”—consider getting a copy of the Treasured Journal. The Treasured Journal includes questions, prompts, and exercises that will help you open up so that you can make sense of what you’re feeling. You can get the journal and its companion meditation guide HERE.
