Stay With What Stings

Close your eyes.
Feel the weight of your body.
The ground beneath you.
The quiet support that is always there—even when everything else feels shaky.

Take a deep breath in…
Hold it.
Let it go slowly.

Now bring to mind something that’s been stirring discomfort in you.
A moment, a memory, a reaction—whatever is gently tugging at you today.

You don’t need to analyze it. You don’t need to push it away.
Just notice.
Where does it live in your body?
Is it heat? Tightness? Numbness?
Is it in your throat, your chest, your belly?

We’re not here to run.
We’re here to stay.
To remind your nervous system that you can feel hard things…
without being consumed by them.

Say gently to yourself:
“This is discomfort, not danger.”
“I am safe in this moment.”
“I don’t need to escape this—I can stay.”

Breathe into the feeling.
You’re not fragile. You’re healing.
And every time you stay, you grow your capacity to hold more of life.
Even the messy parts. Especially the messy parts.

Inhale one more time…
And on the exhale, soften—just a little.
Let yourself be proud.
You didn’t run.

You stayed.