top of page

M$. New Money

Writer's picturePrecious Figueroa-Szostek

How to Embrace Discomfort for Maximum Growth

Updated: Sep 13, 2023

Hey Bestie!


I have never heard anyone say, " I can't wait to be uncomfortable!". Like gurl, are you well?


Less than two weeks ago, I packed up my life in Boston, a city I called home for seven incredible years, and embarked on a new journey in Virginia. Not just that, I've embraced change on a whole new level by chopping off my extremely dead hair and currently rocking a pixie cut – a hairstyle I'd never dared to try before because of my insecurities surrounding my face.


But here I am at 25, essentially hitting the restart button. All in the name of faith, growth, and self-discovery. Minimalism has profoundly impacted the way I approach life decisions. This journey is about becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable, a concept that ties deeply into trust in both God and ourselves. It's a profound connection that mirrors a story you'll find in Genesis Chapter 11 about a man named Terah.


Embracing Change

Change can be daunting. Some avoid change because of how uncomfortable it can make them feel. Leaving behind familiar places and beloved friends in Boston was a bittersweet decision, but I knew it was time to embrace something new. Virginia beckoned with its own adventures, new faces, and uncharted territory.


The Move to Virginia

Okay, so why did I move? It might seem a bit peculiar for a blogger to be so private, but I'm discovering that I'm truly a private person with thoughts and experiences I believe can be helpful to share.


I kept my move to Virginia quite hush-hush, unless you were one of my close friends. However, my decision to move to the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) area was driven by a deep-seated desire. It all started with my acceptance into law school and the unique atmosphere of the DMV. While networking and pursuing a professional path are possible anywhere, I felt a strong inclination to immerse myself professionally in the DMV.


This region fosters a sense of community and support, especially for black and brown communities, and honestly in general, it's fascinating how living in multiple areas can build character and provide a plethora of options and choices for where you might want to settle. But my desire to live in multiple locations is for another blog post.


Pixie Cut

And then came the pixie cut – because why not! I had this itching desire to chop off all my hair, but I was nervously contemplating whether I'd still feel attractive. I used to think, "To pull off short hair, you've got to be stunning!" After all, with short hair, your face takes center stage. But you know what? Every woman who's taken the plunge and gone short has radiated genuine beauty.


The real reason behind my decision to cut my hair was the sad state it was in. The combination of coloring and heat had drained the life out of my once-luscious locks. I never really learned how to properly care for my hair, especially being of mixed heritage with a mom who has straight hair. So, I resorted to dyeing and applying heat, simply because it seemed more manageable. However, the aftermath was hair that looked wild and untamed, leaving me hesitant to step outside after each wash.

But here I am, a short hair baddie!! HELLO! I wholeheartedly recommend every woman to give the big chop a shot at least once in their lives. Many of us, myself included, often rely on our hair as a security blanket to mask insecurities we might have about our faces, our hair, or our jawlines.


Cutting off my hair, was letting go of the crutch that made me feel beautiful. Now I will be building a relationship with my unique facial features and acknowledge my features for what they are.


I've discovered that in this journey, stepping out of our comfort zones often feels like teetering on the edge of a cliff, unsure of what lies below. But it's precisely in these moments that we find the raw beauty of self-discovery. No-matter how many years you spend with yourself, you always have more to uncover and learn about who you are deep down. It's in these challenges that we grow, learn, and redefine who we are.


Trusting in Your Discernment

Trusting your own judgment and discernment is like finding a hidden superpower. It's about believing in your ability to make choices that align with your true self. As I navigated these new waters, I realized that being comfortable is okay, but pushing past it is where the magic happens.


God has gifted us with an inner compass, and when we trust it, we embark on a journey that aligns with our purpose. We start to see that discomfort isn't an obstacle but a stepping stone to our potential.


It is okay to be comfortable to find a safe haven, but remaining comfortable is also not trusting in God, and yourself. You instead are limiting your potential and losing sight of your purpose here on Earth. Many never reach their full potential or uncover what their purpose is, because of the fear in testing the waters or temptation. In that fear, we are showing God we don't have faith in his plan and in his protection. Life is not supposed to be an easy ride, it is supposed to be an adventure, uncovering the hidden talents and jewels inside you. Finding what truly makes you happy and ucovering what makes you so special. But special means different and different can often mean being an outsider and being an outsider is uncomfortable.


Going against the grain, is uncomfortable, mentally, physically, and spiritually, but THAT is where you find yourself.


Trusting in God's Plan

For me, this journey is deeply intertwined with faith. Trusting in God's plan sometimes means stepping into the unknown. It means believing that even in discomfort, there's a divine purpose. The Bible is filled with stories of individuals who faced the uncomfortable, like Abraham, who journeyed into the unknown, or Noah, who built the ark against all odds.


Genesis Chapter 11 Connection

Genesis Chapter 11 shares a short story about Terah, the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran.

Terah was set to live in the land of Canaan. But instead Terah got comfortable and settled in Haran where he died. Terah never had the opportunity to experience life in Canaan, and what possibilities God had for him there.

31 One day Terah took his son Abram, his daughter-in-law Sarai (his son Abram’s wife), and his grandson Lot (his son Haran’s child) and moved away from Ur of the Chaldeans. He was headed for the land of Canaan, but they stopped at Haran and settled there. 32 Terah lived for 205 years and died while still in Haran. Genesis 11:31

In a world where we often chase after comfort, this story serves as a reminder that growth often comes from embracing discomfort and trusting in something greater than ourselves, if it is unknown.


Conquering Discomfort with Weekly Challenges

Now, I want to invite you to join me in a journey of embracing discomfort together. It's time to identify those things that make us feel uncomfortable but not unsafe. These can be small or big challenges, like striking up a conversation with a stranger, trying a new workout routine, or attending a social event where you don't know anyone.


Let's commit to setting weekly or monthly challenges for ourselves, stepping out of our comfort zones, and conquering these moments of discomfort. Share your experiences and progress with me, and let's cheer each other on as we grow and become more comfortable with the uncomfortable.


Remember, darling, it's in these moments of discomfort that we discover our strength, resilience, and the amazing potential that lies within us.


If you leave with anything, leave with knowing, that if you are uncomfortable, you are in the space of growth, and if you are comfortable you have room to grow.


With love and encouragement,

The Minimalist Bestie Signature


310 views0 comments

Comentarios


bottom of page