The Fleeting Nature of Hardship
To The Collective Fitness Community,
This week's intention: Do not give permanent feelings to temporary situations.
We've all been there. A shitty moment hits, a frustrating setback, a minor inconvenience that feels like the end of the world in that instant. Maybe you had a terrible workout, spilled your coffee, or got some news that just deflated you. In that moment, it’s easy to let that feeling—that frustration, anger, or despair—sink its teeth in and convince you it’s going to last forever. You start thinking, "This day is ruined," or "I'll never get past this." And just like that, a fleeting moment of discomfort morphs into a full-blown emotional takeover, painting your entire world grey.
But here's the truth: most of what upsets us is temporary. The traffic jam clears. The bad workout ends. The awkward conversation eventually fades from memory. Yet, we often cling to the feelings these moments provoke as if they're etched in stone. We grant temporary annoyances permanent residency in our emotional landscape, and that, my friends, is a self-inflicted wound.
Think about it. How many times have you stewed over something for hours, only to look back a day later and realize it was a blip, a non-event in the grand scheme? This isn't about ignoring genuine pain or brushing off serious challenges. When something truly significant hits, you face it, you feel it, and you work through it. But the everyday friction? The minor league bullshit that tries to derail your mood? That's where we need to be ruthless with our emotional boundaries.
So, How Do We Practice This?
It comes down to a few simple, often uncomfortable, habits:
Acknowledge and Release: When a bad feeling arises from a temporary situation, acknowledge it. "Okay, I'm pissed about this." Don't suppress it. But then, actively choose to release it. Remind yourself: "This feeling is a reaction to this specific, temporary thing. It doesn't define me, and it doesn't define my entire day." Think of it like a gust of wind – you feel it, but you don't let it knock you over and stay there.
Zoom Out: Seriously, take a mental step back. Is this going to matter next week? Next month? Probably not. We tend to magnify immediate discomfort, losing perspective on the bigger picture. Most of our daily "crises" are just speed bumps on a much longer road.
Find the Pivot Point: Even in the midst of a temporary shitstorm, there's always an opportunity to shift. The car broke down? Yeah, that sucks. But it's also an unexpected chance to listen to an audiobook, make a call you've been putting off, or simply practice patience. Look for the pivot, the slight adjustment you can make to reclaim your state.
This practice isn't about being Pollyanna. It's about being strategically disciplined with your emotional energy. It's about recognizing that you, and only you, decide how long a temporary situation gets to dictate your permanent feelings. The door is locked, but the key, as NF says, is in your hands. Don't let transient moments hold your emotional freedom hostage.
Choose to let it go.
Strength & Community,
Charlie