Dealing with Discomfort
Well folks, I won’t sugarcoat it—it’s been a challenging couple of weeks since we brought home our bundle of joy! Is he adorable? Absolutely. He’s such a good little pup—already going to the door most times for potty breaks, sleeping in his crate all night… truly, a sweetheart. But I’d be lying if I said it’s been smooth sailing.
It’s been a few years since we last had a puppy, and I forgot just how much work it is. This isn’t a complaint—more of a reflection on how we deal with discomfort.
Here’s a bit more of our Beau story: I’ve always wanted a basset hound, but honestly, I never imagined we’d be a three-dog household. What changed? When my youngest bravely shared that getting a pup might help her through a tough emotional time, I was all in. Because watching someone you love struggle—especially your child—is one of the hardest things.
I still stand by my belief in doing what feels right for you—but I also want to be transparent. It hasn’t gone quite how I expected. Looking back, I can see that my decision was shaped more by emotion than reason—particularly my discomfort with seeing my child in pain.
What have I learned? That we must learn to sit with discomfort. We have to move through those difficult moments, because discomfort is part of life.
On a recent trip to Algonquin, we saw a fox whose shaggy coat and thin body left me feeling unsettled. He looked undernourished, and I had such a strong urge to help. But I knew feeding him would do more harm than good. So, we took our photo and moved on. That moment reminded me: sometimes, the best thing we can do is sit with the discomfort, even when our instincts tell us to fix it.
Learning to tolerate discomfort takes practice. It doesn’t always feel good—but with time, it can feel more manageable.
So, how did I land myself here? I leaned more into emotion than thought. Do I regret it? Not for a second. Beau is family now, and despite a few canceled summer plans, he’s brought so much joy into our lives. But joy, as we know, often comes with a cost.
So yes—follow your gut. But also pause. Ask yourself: Am I making this choice to avoid discomfort? The answer won’t always change your decision, but it might bring clarity.
Just keeping it real over here.
Wishing you a mindful Monday
