Mental Strength How to Find Courage When You Need It the Most Create a simple plan that will help you be brave. By Amy Morin, LCSW Amy Morin, LCSW Facebook LinkedIn Twitter 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 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. Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts 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? By Amy Morin, LCSW Amy Morin, LCSW, is the Editor-in-Chief of Verywell Mind. She's also a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, and international bestselling author. Her books, including "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk, "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," is one of the most viewed talks of all time. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit Speak to a Therapist Online Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.