Comfortably Uncomfortable

Chit Chatting Life in Metaphors Ep. 16

• Season 1 • Episode 16

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In this episode I introduce my friend JP, who I instantly connected with when we first met. We reflect on our rollerblading adventure that turned into a fun little metaphor for life.

We candidly talk about navigating challenges, staying balanced, finding joy in motion and the importance of a positive perspective, even when the path isn’t smooth.


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SPEAKER_01:

Hi, I'm Emily Johnson and you're listening to Comfortably Uncomfortable, a podcast about discovering the beauty, the benefits, and the unexpected breakthroughs that come from stepping outside of our comfort zones. This isn't about having it all figured out, but rather showing vulnerability through personal stories and everyday situations that challenge us to grow. If you're on a journey of self-discovery and growth, you're in the right place. Stay tuned, and together we can get comfortably uncomfortable. Welcome. Hey girl. I'm sitting here with my friend JP, and we actually are coworkers. He works at the salon that I work at, and we instantly just kind of like hit it off.

SPEAKER_04:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01:

I think it was like the first week we were both wearing metallic shoes, and I was like, no way, what are the odds? And then it was like the next day we were both in yellow, like the next day in pink.

SPEAKER_04:

Without even talking about it, yeah, and every morning I was like, we're both adopted.

SPEAKER_01:

We're both black and white. Um, it just kind of shows how like I don't know, just a level of even the connection that we immediately had.

SPEAKER_03:

I agree. I agree.

SPEAKER_01:

But also, um, we went to John Legend this weekend.

SPEAKER_03:

We did, whoop, whoop, which was so fun.

SPEAKER_01:

And I actually bought a solo ticket, and I was planning on just fully going by myself because I think I impulsively did it. Like, I didn't even realize that he was in town this weekend, and I saw on an Instagram ad and I was like, oh my god, I don't even want to ask other people. Like, I knew I wanted to get a good seat and I just wanted to like do it. And then at work the next morning I was talking about how I just got it, and you were like, I would go with you.

SPEAKER_04:

Like, I'm like, I'm down.

SPEAKER_01:

Like, and so we ended up, he ended up getting tickets. We got like floor level, but we didn't have seats next to each other. But we were like, whatever, we'll figure it out. Yeah, we were like, we will figure this out. Um, so when we get there, we sat together for like a good hour.

SPEAKER_04:

Yeah, yeah. It was it was a pretty yeah, no, we but we were like looking over our shoulders the whole time, like just making sure like who's gonna come get these things. No, we both like prefaced our neighbors that we were sitting by like my I was sitting to her right side. So like I looked to the right, and there are these this couple that like sat next to me, and I was like, look, y'all, if the secret after security comes, like I belong in this section, this is just not my seat, and I just wanted to sit by my friend, and he was like, Okay, we got you know. So literally when the security started coming, I flash the light, like this was probably midway into the concert. Yeah, this was like at least an hour after the security is like flashing their lights at the seat, and I turn around and I see two other people standing there looking at me, and I'm looking at them at them, and I'm like, ooh, I know this is your seat, but you bought some good tickets, okay?

SPEAKER_02:

But we ended up, yeah.

SPEAKER_04:

Yeah, looked at the neighbors, I was like, look, this is the moment. And we ended up walking around and just enjoying the moment.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04:

So I feel like it was a good time. It was a good time. Everything happened, everything what was supposed to happen happened for a reason.

SPEAKER_01:

So we even ended up like in these seats that were still on like the same level but up a couple tiers, and ended up sitting, ended up finding seats for the rest of the show together. And it was they were great seats because of who we met next.

SPEAKER_04:

Yeah, yeah, who we met. Who she met, y'all.

SPEAKER_01:

Um, but for me, like, what are the odds of us just like being placed next to this guy who also like kind of went by himself, but he like was tagging along with like another couple.

SPEAKER_04:

Yeah, he was therapying with the couple, yeah.

SPEAKER_01:

I guess that's the way to say it. Yeah, he was. No, but he like last minute bought those tickets, so it's just like, what are the odds? But yeah, that was a vibe. Yeah, he was cool. Maybe maybe I'll have yeah, maybe I'll have more to say about him in another episode.

SPEAKER_04:

Yeah. Okay, yeah. Sorry, y'all. This is my tick. We all didn't know. Ow, period, slay, you know, all of it.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, he speaks very young. Ish, yeah. No, that's just like the new age slang. Oh, okay. New age. Yeah, like the younger generation. Yes. Yeah, but this is what he does all the time. Also, like he has these little things called squeezes.

SPEAKER_03:

I do.

SPEAKER_01:

And I I relate to it so much, and it's so funny. It's just this thing that he does when he's excited. Like, I'll just catch him just like literally cheesing. And it's just like him thinking about like how good life is. There's something like that, and I totally relate because I catch myself smiling. Like, that's why whenever I see you do it, and you're like, what? I'm like, no, I get you.

SPEAKER_04:

Because I feel like sometimes I look like I'm like like cracked out during these moments because it's like such high dopamine at like once just thinking about like how grateful I am or like what's to come, and I'll just get a little squeeze where I'm like, you know, you know, like I'm like, yeah, you know what's so crazy about sitting here and like me being able to watch you is just how animated you are, and I want to eventually move into like video podcasts, but like I'm not there yet.

SPEAKER_01:

And it's funny because I've been practicing um talking on Instagram, like all my stories on my podcast page are like videos because I want to eventually be comfortable like recording these sessions. But as I'm looking at you, I'm like, oh my gosh dang, I should have started recording you now. Girl, like you were just I feel like you're just just interesting to watch.

SPEAKER_04:

I think honestly, this is kind of the perfect vibe. I told you how nervous I was, like, but knowing that no one else is here, like even though they'll be listening, um, I'm like scared, but no, it feels better with it just yeah not being recorded just yet.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, no, I get that. But because that's what I'm saying, like what attracts like viewers, you know what I mean? Like when you can see, because that's like what I enjoy. Like, I enjoy watching stuff like that, you know. So it's like when you see, it's almost like you get like an even stronger, you know, connection. But also, like, even when I just like start micing myself up, I feel like I'm losing more of my words than if I was just talking to someone freely without any.

SPEAKER_04:

No, literally for sure.

SPEAKER_01:

Okay, that was like a long intro. I feel like we just gave a lot of like information unrelated. But the whole reason why I wanted to have you on this podcast was because I remember when I first met you, you were having a conversation with somebody else, but I was like in the room, so I just heard the way you were speaking about like the situation and just your outlook on life. And I remember instantly thinking, I was like, Oh my gosh, I need to have him on my podcast once I start telling people at work that I have one, because your insights were just so I in instantly admired them. I was like, wait, you have just such a great outlook on things, and that's just so encouraging and like motivating to be around.

SPEAKER_04:

Yeah. Well, life's too short to be upset over the small things. Like, I mean, things that we can't control, if you can't change it in five minutes, there's no reason to like just let it overwhelm you or your day. So, like, I'd rather be at work and something bad happens, and I'm just like, dang, take it for what it is. And it's like, if I can't change anything right now in this moment, like, why would I let it beat me over the head all day? Like, no, like, sorry, like I try to find joy in the small things, even though life can be so heavy or scary, or I mean, just the list goes on anything negative that's like not rooted in positivity. Um but yeah, I think it's all about perspective and how you look at things. But um, I'd rather be doing life as happy as I can for as long as I can rather than be in these moments um of discomfort, especially when you're the only person that's putting yourself in that prison. Um it's just like you get a million dollars and lose five of it, are you gonna throw the other money away just because you lost five dollars of it? I kind of like put that analogy into my day, like if I lost five minutes of my day and it was not that comfortable, and it I got some bad news or whatever, I'm like, I'm not gonna let it ruin the rest of my day. So that's how I just try to leave.

SPEAKER_01:

No, I love that because even your most recent like situation, you got he lost his wallet, and then like the next day he got in a car accident, and and it was like on Saturday at work, he was just kind of like in this weird mood, and this didn't happen yet. Like that all happened after Saturday, but I was just like, Oh, so on Monday or Tuesday at work, I like just checked in and I was like, How was your weekend? Was your weekend better than you know how you felt on Saturday? And you were like, Yeah, everything was good. And then you're like, I did lose my wallet and I got in a car accident, but you know what, I'm alive, and then that was genuinely your reaction. No, literally, like you did not waste a second thinking, like talking about how you know all of those inconveniences will affect, you know, the future. But in that moment, you're like, you know what? It life's still good.

SPEAKER_03:

No, literally, I'm at work being able to pay for this car. Okay.

SPEAKER_01:

No, I I mean I love that because that's what I really work on doing too, is just finding like the good things in everything, you know. But it it's sometimes hard because e the situation that I had last week, you know, just like drama coworker related, like it was just, you know, it's the same thing. I couldn't let it consume me, but you know, a part of it was naturally that happens, but it's like I was still trying to push forward in every other way that was positive about this situation. So it's cool to just like relate to someone who really looks into things like that because I can't say that if I got into a car accident, I would be coming in as chipper as you.

SPEAKER_04:

Yeah, you know. Well, Emily is such a positive person, and I feel like when I first met her, like at work, and just seeing her energy, what it was like one of the most amazing things. Um I think we are kind of kindred spirits, like in a sense, like I believe. Um the energy that she radiates at work is something that I I'd like to mimic. Like, I think, like, I'm serious. Um, there's not a lot of people I'd like to take take away from or take qualities of, but she's one of them, and I think she's a light to be around and anybody she comes across. Um, I know she's like about about to be on the floor, and I told her, I told her a long time ago, like, girl, you're gonna do good. Like, I am not worried about her one bit. Like, she has personality spunk, she's beautiful on the inside and outside, and uh, I think she just radiates that. So uh it's a joy being able to work alongside her and get to know her more. And I've been like holding her captive this weekend. Yeah, we went to John Legends.

SPEAKER_01:

This is our first time hanging out. But like this weekend.

SPEAKER_04:

Yeah, like then we went on a walk. We rollerbladed, like I mean, so many, so many good moments just in this weekend, and I told her like I'm gonna have to take a break from her because my dopamine levels have been like so high this whole weekend. I'm like, I'm gonna be so sad this week during work.

SPEAKER_01:

I'm gonna be like, dang, am, am, girl. That was the sweetest compliment. I mean, that just like I feel like you just fully spoke from your heart, and I felt that, and I just that was really special to hear you say.

SPEAKER_04:

Goes from the heart. It's easier to be truthful, especially on the mic and just being yourself. You have to be so um, but that's honest.

SPEAKER_01:

So I no, I I truly do appreciate that because I mean, likewise, you know, like I said, I feel like the moment we met, our matter, our our energy has just fully matched, and I think that is just such a beautiful thing to embrace because it's rare, you know. I mean, I feel fortunate that I have so many rare relationships that I feel like are really hard to come by for, you know, just an average person. But I feel like when you can feel so connected to someone, especially right away, it just makes you like instantly want to build on it. Because I mean, even rollerblading, that's not something that you know, I don't have many friends who do that at all. So being able to do that with you the first weekend we hung up was just like really cool.

SPEAKER_04:

I agree, and my butt hurt, but oh yeah, I'm still feeling it today for sure.

SPEAKER_01:

But you know what was so cool about our rollerblading session was so we went to White Rock Lake, which is you know, where I already spend so much of my time doing my little picnics and whatnot. But um we went probably, I mean, we were out there for about an hour. I don't know how many miles we did.

SPEAKER_04:

Um was it only an hour? I felt like it was a little bit more.

SPEAKER_01:

But yeah, it was about an hour. But throughout the whole ride, we were just kind of using what we were experiencing as like a metaphor to life. And every situation that happened, every conversation correlated in the in the coolest way because you know, you start on this like level grounded terrain and you're just coasting, you know, you're putting a little bit of effort, then you know, maybe you get to a hill, so you feel like you're facing, you know, a little bit of an obstacle, but as you see the path forward, there's still you know more to execute on this journey, yeah. And then what else was it? It was like, then you'd get to like lumpy parts of the road, you know, that made the ride a little uneasy. And we were just like talking about how that's you know, in life, we always come across things that make us feel uneasy. And I don't know, just like everything we would see like dragonflies and butterflies, and we just kind of referenced, you know, the with the butterfly, you know, coming out of your cocoon. So yeah, I don't know. It was just really cool to just see life as we just kind of rode it.

SPEAKER_04:

Experienced it. I would agree, I would agree. Um, but I think that's kind of like what life is about is trying to find the the joy in the motions of life. Um because life is going to keep happening. It's just like us rollerblading. Like, I mean, we when we first started, I mean, just embracing the wind against our face and hearing it in our ears and like the sun beaming down and like how beautiful it was, like, and just being able to like kind of like bask in that for a second. And then after that, we like you know, we got so comfortable. We're just talking, you know, like having good conversations, building on that, and then I mean, this like road comes and it's like not even at all. And I like about fall, like I swear. I few times, like, yeah, uh not a few times, I know I did it.

SPEAKER_01:

I'm shameful of no, no, but it was just it goes on to the extra.

SPEAKER_04:

But like literally, I mean, we just embraced it because I'm like, okay, each time it gets like hard, like, and I was so nervous, y'all. I'm just like, you know, to fall, like in general, and like when we were going downhill, I was most fearful just because like I was like, okay, I there's a point where I'm going fast enough where like I literally feel like I don't have control, and then if I eat it, not only is my face gonna be messed up, but like I'm just gonna be so ashamed, like I wouldn't be able to go back. So, but I would have gone back.

SPEAKER_01:

But but we were using that, like when he brought that up, actually, when we were on like the rollerblade, it was like we were using that as like sometimes life will get you down, you know. No, literally, but it's not like you'll sit there, fall, and you'll get up and you'll like roll the rest of the way back, you know, or whatever the case is. So I don't know, it was just everything that was kind of happening on that rollerblading journey.

SPEAKER_04:

We literally related to like life, but even at the end of towards the end, we go down this really big hill, and I did not fall. I feel like the further we progressed along, the more comfortable I got with going downhill, yeah. And but that really is the beauty of life. Sometimes we have to see the beauty in going downhill when it's not the most comfortable, when we're not just having this mountaintop experience where we can just like enjoy that we know it's gonna be harder ahead, but like willing to know what's gonna be on the other side. And I would I told her like life is just like an EKG, and it's like when you're in a hospital and you see an EKG going, you see it full of highs and lows, or ups and downs, it's a wave going high and low. Um, but that's a good sign to doctors. They're like this patient is alive, but as soon as you see a stagnant line, you know that that patient is dead. That's when you hear that. A lot of people in life are so stagnant and don't want to grow, don't want to evolve, don't want to be a better person, don't want to do the work for themselves to see that it's so much better on the other side because they're so okay with being comfortable or sitting in their comfortability. And I feel like when you become stagnant, that's when you really do become or you're dead, essentially.

SPEAKER_01:

Like not you're not living for like purpose.

SPEAKER_04:

Yeah, you know, like and I hate to see people like that in situations like that, and I'd never want to be in a situation where I'm not evolving or growing, and that's the harsh reality, too, is that if you do want to grow and you do want to evolve, life isn't always gonna be easy. So are you gonna just keep looking at it as like whoa is me, or are you gonna be like, whoa, it is me? Like, yeah, like I'm doing this shit, like I can get I can get there. Like, it's either you giddy up or giddy out, okay?

SPEAKER_00:

But yeah, that's that's the Arkansas.

SPEAKER_04:

It is owl, y'all hear it. Giddy up, giddy out. I want you to take out all the owls I'm saying right now.

SPEAKER_00:

Uh and you're gonna have to work on stop saying them.

SPEAKER_01:

I'm trying not to.

SPEAKER_04:

It's just coming out.

SPEAKER_01:

That's funny. But yeah, no, that is that is true, and that's I think something that being out here on my own in Dallas has forced me to do is really kind of just like sitting with yourself. I say that all the time, but just figuring out how you can what you need to do to make you a better person. Because we can dream about it and we can think about it, but if we're not acting on it, nothing is ever gonna come from it. Yeah. So it's like if you want to live and continue to have that EKG monitor, you know, up and running, it's like you have to consistently do little things that will help you keeping that, you know, keeping your spirit alive, I guess.

SPEAKER_04:

Yeah, yeah, 100%. It's hard work, but you gotta be willing to do it. But nothing worth having isn't like worth fighting for.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04:

Like so things are. I mean, things that you really want, you want to do. So it's like, where do you want to apply that? And I feel like so many people are filling up other people's cup, and which is a great thing. You want to be selfless, but you have to know the balance and when to fill yourself up, and that's doing the hard work too.

SPEAKER_01:

It's kind of like when you're on a plane and they tell you to put your oxygen mask on for you. Yeah, before the kids, it's before anybody, like anything that you do, it's like you gotta make sure you're good. Otherwise, like whatever you're like walking around and you know, leaving your mark on, it's gonna be whatever like you are. Yeah, so you have to make sure that you're good.

SPEAKER_04:

But also at the same time, I think I'm learning is when to show myself grace because I have these expectations that I'm like, uh, like I could have done better at this, or I could have done this better. Like with my relationships specifically, like, and I have to remember like JP, like, don't be so hard on yourself. If it's like on you, then it's on you. If it's not, then I don't know where I was going with that.

SPEAKER_02:

I could kind I could kinda I could kind of see you losing your train of. I was like, JP, what the fuck? Okay, you're right.

SPEAKER_00:

This was a problem yesterday, too. We would get into these com like not this conversation, but we would just no, don't, don't try to redirect it.

SPEAKER_03:

Take that.

SPEAKER_01:

Oh my goodness.

SPEAKER_03:

It's okay. They can see the real me. It's fine, y'all. I am not perfect, okay?

SPEAKER_01:

Okay, no, but this is also what happened yesterday was just us having an episode of laughing, like with tears coming down our faces for whatever reason.

SPEAKER_04:

You know, like that's but I'm that's why I'm grateful.

SPEAKER_01:

Like, dang, like it's refreshing to just be able to kind of just feel the good feelings. Yeah, because I feel like it is hard to get caught up in like just everyday situations that kind of take away from like the laughter and you know the joyous moments. So when you can really have like a time like that, it does make you feel so grateful.

SPEAKER_04:

Yeah, I agree. I think we need those childlike moments, like where we can like be like, okay, this isn't that serious, let's just have a good time, like, you know. Um, but also balance with everything. It's time, like, you know, sometimes it's time to buckle up and get the shell on the road. Like, you know, you gotta put in some work too, which I'm trying to figure out, and I'm not perfect at, but I get up and I try again, that's all that matters. Dust that booty off and keep it moving.

SPEAKER_01:

But that's like where balance comes in too. You know, it's like you know you gotta take the wins with the losses, and that's like just kind of maintaining the imagery of things just staying like at a level like that kind of just helps you.

SPEAKER_04:

Yeah, 100%. Stay balanced, knowing that you're not always gonna be and in staying balanced, that means being in tune with energy and life around you, not just like I know energy is so broad, but like being in tune within everything, yeah, but like being in tune with life enough to know when to do something and when not to. I think I was talking to you literally maybe yesterday about how I feel like God is kind of just telling me to slow down and he's God isn't doing it directly through like writing things down, but in a sense of my past two or three weeks, chaotic things have been going on that have been negative, although my outlook is not negative, but they have been very negative in my life for things that I can't even like change, like it like I'm not at fault for like things I could not control that just happened, and I'm like, why is this shit happening? Like, what the fuck? Like, who somebody put some bad juju on me or what? But like I'm like, okay, I feel like that's the sign of the world guy, the universe trying to tell me to sit my ass down somewhere just because like I'm such a busy bee. I like staying busy, and sadly, it's because I don't want to be home alone in my own thoughts, just because that can be a scary place sometimes.

SPEAKER_01:

We were talking about how important it is to have a moment to sit with yourself because I mean the shit that surfaces that really forces you to again be the best version of yourself or just get through challenging times, or just you know, just so many different things to work for. It's like you have to sit with yourself.

SPEAKER_04:

I think this is my moment. I told her I was in, and this is bringing back up the walk that we had. I I feel like the universe is telling me to be in in a cocoon almost, like it's time for me to kind of like dial back and just like focus in on myself and grow and fix some things that I need to fix, remove some things I need to remove and keep it pushing. And I was talking to her on this ride or on this ride while we were rollerblading, and literally not even 15 minutes later, we go through this like one pasture, and like there are all these butterflies, no dragonflies, and then this butterfly, beautiful blue butterfly, flies across our face, and that was just like a really beautiful moment, just because like I think that's a way of like the universe being like, Okay, you're getting it, like that's exactly what I wanted you to see. That's exactly what I have for you. So, like, I think that's what life is really about, and you can only do that if you're pliable, if you're willing to move or change or um grow in a sense, because growth is uncomfortable, so um you gotta be willing to do that and be willing to surrender to that instead of being in control of everything in life and just learn to go with the flow. Um, and I think that's just where I am in life learning that um, but it doesn't mean it gets easier because it sure as shit is not easier.

SPEAKER_01:

I was in a workout class and the instructor said nothing gets easier, you just get better at it. So it's like the same thing. It's like as long as you're working towards something, you'll get better at it, which will essentially make it easier, but it itself does not get easier. It's like the effort that you put into making it as easy flowing.

SPEAKER_04:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah. I feel like that's something we're all kind of like slowly learning, you know, just like with time and with I guess which direction in life you really want to go. But I think a lot of that comes with sitting with yourself. So maybe this is, I feel like you have had time to just kind of live your life a little differently with you know, the way you were forced to slow down. So you'll be able to look back at this and be like, wow, all right.

SPEAKER_04:

Exactly. No, every time, every time.

SPEAKER_01:

Because it's like just this in the same way of me referencing my move. It was exactly what I had to do, you know. There was so much negativity and so much downfall that was like always that I could so fully associate with, you know, the situation of me moving, but in that same like negative space, there was so much, there was so much, yes, good and growth and things that I really needed to like make me feel good about where I am today.

SPEAKER_04:

Yeah, this is the starting point.

SPEAKER_01:

Just keep swimming, keep exactly swimming, exactly, exactly. Well, cool. I love how you tied it back to the butterfly and the rollerblading because that's how we started. So ADHD. But that's like a good way to kind of like circle it back to an ending.

SPEAKER_04:

Yeah, well, thanks for having me.

SPEAKER_01:

Thanks for joining in on the condo. It's been a it's been a vibe all weekend.

SPEAKER_04:

It has been.

SPEAKER_01:

I mean, it has we've gotten to do a little bit of everything that is not just like for your you know typical weekend, you know, agenda, but we still managed to do things that were like productive, yeah.

SPEAKER_04:

Yeah, I agree. I agree. Go us. Hell yeah.

SPEAKER_01:

Is there like a good quote or like an inspiring phrase to just let people know you got this?

SPEAKER_04:

Um love yourself, love others, and live life. You can't go wrong with that.

SPEAKER_02:

No, you can't write that's all I can do. It's like short, simple, and to the point.

SPEAKER_04:

But truly, yeah, it really is the truth.

SPEAKER_01:

Cheers to that.

SPEAKER_04:

Cheers to that.

SPEAKER_01:

Thank you. Thank you, ma'am. I hope you were able to connect with this episode to some degree, whether it was through laughs, aha moments, or even just a little encouragement. Any and all feedback is welcome. And as always, your time spent listening is greatly appreciated. Grateful for you all. Till next time.

Contributor

Emily Johnson

Host