One of the biggest changes I’ve been making recently is choosing to stay present in uncomfortable conversations that used to completely overwhelm me. While I could be physically present, mentally I would draw a blank, become emotionally numb, or feel completely paralyzed. This was an automatic response — the situation would feel like this massive wave pulling me under before I even had a chance to catch my breath.
But what’s changing is that I’m choosing to recognize that blank, numb, or paralyzed feeling before I completely disappear beneath the surface.
These experiences don’t necessarily mean I’m not feeling anything. For me, it often means something has actually affected me so deeply that my brain has disengaged before I’ve even been able to identify what happened.
Now, I’m pressing into those uncomfortable moments — rather than ignoring what’s happening emotionally or mentally, I’m learning to see it as an invitation to slow down, identify what I’m feeling underneath it all, and choose curiosity over avoidance.
Growth hasn’t meant never feeling overwhelmed. It means paying attention to what’s happening in my body or mind and choosing to still remain engaged.
This question has empowered me with a different option: When I begin to shut down emotionally, how can I become curious about what’s happening inside me rather than simply trying to escape the discomfort?
With hope,
Nathan
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