Sometimes I wanna feel the pain
Sometimes you make me wanna face it
– Fred Again

If there’s one thing that’s guaranteed in life, it’s pain. Life is full of pain. Contrary to popular belief, not all pain is bad. Pain is not suffering.

You will feel pain. But you get to choose the type of pain.

If you don’t make a choice, life will pick for you. If you don’t choose the pain of a run, life will pick the pain of your body deteriorating. If you don’t choose the pain of vulnerability, life will choose the pain of loneliness. The pain of hard work or the pain of poverty. The pain of learning or the pain of making the wrong choices.

Pain is everywhere. Pain is consistent. But we get to pick our pain.

Your choice is between acute and chronic pain.

Acute pain is sharp and immediate. A workout. A resignation letter. A breakup. Chronic pain is dull and persistent. Loneliness. Apathy. Sadness.

Acute pain is getting rejected by a love interest. Chronic pain is wallowing in self-despair for years because you’re lonely.

Acute pain is going on a run at 7 AM. Chronic pain is a general feeling of malaise that never stops.

Acute pain is ending the relationship. Chronic pain is feeling lonely in an unhappy relationship for the rest of your life.

Acute pain is the discomfort of visiting your parents when you’d rather be somewhere else. Chronic pain is the regret you’ll feel when they’re gone.

Most people will choose chronic pain over acute pain. But you should seek the acute pain. What acute pain are you avoiding? What if you chose to lean into it?

The pain of your lungs burning on a run is noticeable. The pain of always being out of energy is hidden.

The pain of being lost is noticeable. The pain of wasting your career on something you don’t care about is hidden.

Not all pain is bad. But it is inevitable.

Please remember to choose your pain.