Did you know there are actually two types of pain? There is Regression Pain and Transformation Pain. Regression Pain is the pain of going to happy hour when you said you would be cutting back. It’s letting clutter creep its way in.
Regression pain is what leads to guilt and resentment and feelings of ill will. Ultimately, it’s letting yourself down.
Transformation Pain is that of childbirth. It’s a wholesome, growth-like pain. It means something good is happening, usually inside of you. Transformational Pain is therapeutic and often cleansing and full of life. Sometimes it even results in life.
The difference is one pain is upfront, the other tarries behind. One pain you face right away, and is followed with a sense of severe accomplishment and relief. The other is short-term satisfaction with a side dish of wanting to hang yourself.
Transformation Pain is running sprints, lifting weights, and practicing your arpeggios. Regression Pain is sitting on the couch when you should be running sprints, lifting weights, or practicing your arpeggios.
Transformational Pain pushes you forward. Regression Pain pulls you back.
– Pat