Seeking Discomfort
An Overnight Trip to the Grand Canyon of Georgia
Justina–
As we mentioned in our last blog post “Free Will”, Roberta and I decided it was time to head into nature. We realized we had the free will to step outside our comfort zones and reconnect with the outdoors. This might’ve been inspired by the show Alone—a series following individuals surviving Alaska’s brutal temperatures for 100 days. The show highlighted the beauty of gratitude, solitude, and discomfort.
We found ourselves rooting for the contestants as they caught fish or started fires, celebrating their victories like we were right there with them. But what stuck with us most was how thankful they became for the smallest things. Watching their experiences gave us a new appreciation for the luxuries we often take for granted: running water, warm beds, grocery stores stocked with food. So, naturally, we decided to try our own (much less extreme) version.
It was cold. It was wet. It was hard. It was awesome.
Was this trip well-planned? Absolutely not. Could we have been more prepared? Definitely. But that’s the thing about spontaneous action—it doesn’t leave much room for overthinking, and that’s where the magic happens. Sure, proper gear and research would’ve made things easier, but we wouldn’t have had the same funny stories or unexpected lessons.
This trip reminded us how much growth comes from discomfort. When you leave the routines of everyday life, you give yourself space to just be. Out in the wild, your appearance doesn’t matter. The clothes you wear only serve to keep you warm and protected. You strip away vanity and distractions, and suddenly, you’re living in the moment, facing challenges you didn’t anticipate.
Being completely unplugged can feel disorienting at first. No service, no notifications, no outside world pulling at you. It’s both liberating and nerve-wracking. What if you miss something big? But when your phone reconnects, you realize the only thing you’ve missed is a text from AT&T about your bill.
The ride back from Providence Canyon was filled with laughter. Even as I questioned our lack of preparation the night before, I found myself wanting more. At any moment, we have the power to transport ourselves into new realities, to embrace new challenges, and to grow in ways we never expected.
Roberta—
This trip to Georgia reminds me of a more recent adventure Justina and I took to Acadia National Park. On the way there, we humored, and terrified ourselves by listening to National Park After Dark, a podcast filled with eerie and inspiring stories from national parks. With Acadia only an eight-hour drive from us, it felt like a road trip we needed to take.
We just made it for the final days of the fall foliage in New England, needless to say, the trip was filled with beauty and color. We found a dreamy campsite on Airbnb, tucked away in a secluded forest about an hour from Acadia. The wooden tent we stayed in felt like something out of a fairy tale. This time, we were a bit more prepared for the cold October nights in Maine.
Temperatures dropped to 28 degrees, but we bundled up in (no exaggeration) seven layers. On the second night, our tiny tent heater ran out of gas, and we slept wrapped in five layers of clothes, with winter coats, scarves, gloves, two sleeping bags, and three extra blankets. We laughed at how ridiculous we must’ve looked, but that’s the beauty of camping— your mind is focused not on the email you have to respond to, but staying warm, having shelter, eating a meal, being able to sleep; perhaps the more simple necessities of life. These moments can quickly remind us how lucky we are to not have to worry about such “basic” needs on a daily basis. It is a chance to say thank you, for even the smallest comforts of life.
Camping is like hitting a giant “do not disturb” button on life. For those times, you are completely removed from work, responsibilities, and to-do lists. And while it’s comforting to know there’s a warm shower and cozy bed waiting for you at home, there’s something special about hearing coyotes howling nearby, or falling asleep to the sounds of the forest.
Although it wasn’t as rugged as our first trip to Georgia, Acadia brought its own kind of magic. These trips, no matter how uncomfortable or imperfect, leave me filled with joy, gratitude, inspiration, and pure wonder. Being out in the wild in any way always adds some needed adrenaline and excitement to your life. Even if you start small — like camping in your backyard — these journeys remind you of how capable you truly are.
Takeaways
Discomfort is something new. It’s something unfamiliar. It’s the feeling of not knowing what to expect or how to react. But it’s also where growth happens. When you welcome discomfort instead of running from it, you strengthen your ability to face life’s challenges.
So don’t panic when it shows up. Invite it to sit with you. Get to know it. Before you know it, discomfort will feel less like an obstacle and more like an opportunity. And in those moments, you’ll discover how much you’re capable of.
Inspired? Tell us about says you’ve sought discomfort!