Why We Took the Plunge – and Why You Should Too

This weekend, my family and I did something a little “crazy” — we jumped into icy cold water for the Hospice Polar Plunge.

But the most interesting part wasn’t the event itself. It was the conversations leading up to it.

“You’re crazy… I could never do that!”

All week, people shared their reactions:

“You’re doing what?”
“You’re crazy!”
“Why?”

And most people didn’t. They avoided the event altogether — not because they didn’t care, but because fear of discomfort kept them on the sidelines.

And honestly? That’s so common.

We’ve Made Comfort Our Default

We live in a world that worships comfort.

We adjust the thermostat. We avoid awkward conversations. We scroll instead of stretch. We cling to our routines — not because they’re fulfilling, but because they’re safe and predictable.

But here’s the thing:

Real growth doesn’t happen in comfort.

That icy plunge was more than a charity stunt. It was a jolt back into presence. A reminder that we’re far more capable than we give ourselves credit for. And that when we choose discomfort, we also choose growth, clarity, and resilience.

Embrace the Suck

Trying something new is rarely easy.
It’s messy. It’s awkward. It’s vulnerable.

“You have to be willing to suck at something new.”

Because chances are — you will suck at first.
But you’ll also learn, adapt, and maybe even find joy in the process.

Too often, we let the fear of not being good enough keep us from even starting. But all mastery begins with a messy first step. Every confident swimmer once flailed. Every strong speaker once stumbled.

You don’t get the magic unless you’re willing to wade through the uncomfortable middle.

Discomfort Is a Superpower

Here’s what happens when you willingly stretch beyond your comfort zone:

• Resilience: You show your nervous system that temporary stress doesn’t break you—it strengthens you.
• Self-trust: Each time you push through, you build evidence that you’ve got your own back.
• Perspective: After plunging into icy water, your daily stressors seem a lot more manageable.
• Presence: Discomfort yanks you into the now. There’s no overthinking when your body is on high alert.
• Joy: Yes, joy! The pride, the laughter, the connection — it all lives on the other side of “I can’t.”

So… What’s Your Plunge?

Growth doesn’t always look like a dramatic leap. Sometimes it’s a quiet choice to do the hard thing:
To speak up. To rest. To start. To stop. To say no.
To try something new — and risk not being good at it right away.

But you’re capable of more than you think.
And the only way to find out… is to try.

What’s one small thing you can do this week to stretch beyond your comfort zone?

Leave a comment or send me a message — I’d love to hear about your plunge and cheer you on.

With love (and slightly numb toes),
Jacqui