Why You Should Get Comfortable With The Uncomfortable

Let’s start this week’s reflection with a common proverb, “if you don’t use it, you lose it.”

Now think of your muscles. If you are an active person, even mildly so, you may have had a muscle injury or surgery which required a period of rest. If the rest was long enough you have certainly witnessed a decline in muscle tone, strength and flexibility. Imagine prolonging that rest over an extended period and you can easily imagine how the muscle would eventually atrophy.

The good news is that we have been bombarded with information relating to the importance of physical health, so most people around the world today have at least a semblance of understanding the importance of physical exercise. The fact that most don’t engage in it, is a separate matter, but at least we share deep understanding.

Despite this knowledge, a large proportion of capable adults today don’t actually engage in a healthy exercise routine that is enough to counter the sedentary, modern, deadly lives we live.

“I am too busy.”

“It’s too hard.”

“I can’t be bothered.”

“I don’t need it.”

These are some of the common excuses people give for not doing the minimum necessary work to maintain their physical health.

So here is my question, what are the chances that people will do the necessary work to engage in something they do not even understand, if they don’t even engage in the necessary work of something they perfectly understand?

One of my biggest bugbears as a man and as a therapist, is to see people who have done enough exploration to realise the nature of their challenges to a very deep level of insight, who consequently do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about it. In fact, many actively, knowingly and willingly continue to do the opposite and then proceed to justify their behaviours with the most fascinating mental evolutions.

Psychotherapy is a wonderful tool for healing, but there is no substitute to action. Mental and emotional healing MUST BE PARTNERED with behavioural adjustments.

Like the day when the doctor finally gives you the all clear to start exercising again after that knee surgery you had, the first exercise practice will feel strange and effortful, maybe even uncomfortable. But it is by embracing that discomfort that you eventually regain your full power and can continue being the awesome person you are, contributing net positive value to yourself, your family, your employer, your employees or society at large.

Allow me therefore, the opportunity to invite you to embrace the discomfort and create the conditions for you to expand your psychological level of tolerance, which in turn will help you be better at sticking to the effortful things you commit to in order to progress your life.

JOIN ME AND MY COMMUNITY FOR OUR ANNUAL WATER FAST. The time to commit is now.

We’ve all had those moments of profound insight, that clarity where you realise exactly what needs to change. But what truly separates a fleeting wish from a life-altering transformation is the courage to act, to jump into the unknown, effortful, and uncomfortable feeling.

This water fast is not simply about detoxification. It’s about becoming unbreakable. It is a crucible for your willpower, a direct, powerful method for you to prove to yourself that you are capable of committing and seeing things through.

Imagine finishing this experience, not just lighter and clearer, but with an unshakeable sense of self-mastery. You will have forged a new psychological resilience, proving that you dictate your choices, not your habits or excuses. You will be better equipped to tackle those effortful, long-term goals, because you faced discomfort and won.

Challenge that stagnant idea of "knowing better, but doing nothing" behind. It is time to partner your insight with bold, decisive behavioural adjustment.

This is your doctor’s all-clear. This is the moment to start your recovery and step into your full, awesome potential. Join us. Don’t just understand the work; do the work.

Event Details

Here are the essential details for our annual water fast (there are some flexibility on sustaining substances). We’ve done this successfully for many years, and we have a robust support system in place to guide you every step of the way.

• When: The fast will officially begin on Monday, 10th November and conclude on Friday, 14th November. (A full 5-day commitment).

• Where: This is a guided, remote event. All support and community interaction will be facilitated via Zoom (details provided upon registration via email).

• What’s Included:

  • Daily live video Q&A sessions with Dr Oberdan.

  • Dedicated, monitored Community Forum on WhatsApp.

• How to Join: simply register here! Invite your friends, family and colleagues to join you.

I invite you to embrace the uncomfortable.