More often than not, you won’t feel good before going to the gym. Maybe not even during. You’ll feel good after. Nobody’s forcing you to go, so it’s up to you. The popular saying goes, “The hardest part is putting the shoes on.”

Personal growth works the same way. It takes place only after voluntary discomfort. Not before or during. Both of these provide rewards that last a long time, much longer than the high of a TV show or scrolling social media.

Everyone’s comfort zone is different. What’s comfortable to you may be discomforting to someone else, and vice versa.

Whenever you step, stretch, or leap out of your comfort zone—even in spite of anxiety, frustration, disappointment, embarrassment, guilt—you have created an opportunity to grow. 

People who go to the gym will recognize each other as part of a tribe. People who regularly venture out of their comfort zones will feel a similar kinship.

Zaria Parvez wrote a helpful reminder.