How to Find Courage When You Need It the Most Create a simple plan that will help you be brave. By Amy Morin, LCSW facebook twitter linkedin instagram Amy Morin, LCSW, is the Editor-in-Chief of Verywell Mind. She's also a psychotherapist, the author of the bestselling book "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," and the host of The Verywell Mind Podcast. Learn about our editorial process Amy Morin, LCSW Published on April 30, 2021 Print Verywell / Julie Bang Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Friday Fix: Episode 69 More About the Podcast Every Friday on The Verywell Mind Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Amy Morin, LCSW, shares the “Friday Fix”—a short episode featuring a quick, actionable tip or exercise to help you manage a specific mental health issue or concern. Subscribe Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts / RSS Friday Fix: Episode 69 Whether you want to bring up a difficult subject with a loved one or you want to join a new class, fear can be a powerful obstacle. In fact, any uncomfortable emotion (like sadness, anxiety, or anger) can stand in between you and your goals if you let it. No one wants to feel uncomfortable. So sometimes we put off facing uncomfortable emotions at a major expense. You might not go for that promotion because you’re afraid of being rejected. Or you might not move to a new city because you’re afraid you’ll be sad and lonely. You may have even held onto an unhealthy habit or relationship because you’re afraid of change. But sometimes facing uncomfortable emotions is the best thing you can do for yourself. Not only might working through these emotions help you feel better, but you may even discover that your feelings aren’t as intolerable as you imagined them to be. Tolerating distress is a common issue I help people learn to do in my therapy office. When people learn to face uncomfortable feelings, they realize that there’s really nothing they can’t do. There are lots of different ways people learn to tolerate distress. And while there isn’t a magic fix that makes uncomfortable feelings great, there are some steps you can take to make them feel more tolerable. In today’s Friday Fix, I share one of my favorite strategies for finding courage when you need it the most so you can face your fears, make a change, or do something you’ve always wanted to do. More About the Podcast The Verywell Mind Podcast is available across all streaming platforms. If you like the show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. Reviews and ratings are a great way to encourage other people to listen and help them prioritize their mental health too. Links and Resources Follow Amy Morin on Instagram. Check out Amy’s books on mental strength. How to Face Uncomfortable Emotions with Comedian Paul Gilmartin How to Face Your Fears What Is Distress Tolerance? Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Speak to a Therapist Online Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.