We all have things we'd rather not think about, conversations we'd rather not have, and feelings we'd rather not sit with. Sometimes we stay busy, change the subject, make a joke, or find a reason to put something off. Avoidance can be a useful way to protect ourselves from feeling overwhelmed, but it can also keep us from understanding what's going on beneath the surface.
Often, the things we avoid carry some emotional weight. A difficult conversation might bring up fear of rejection. A decision might force us to acknowledge that something in our life needs to change. A memory might ask us to grieve something we've spent years trying to move past. Avoidance offers temporary relief, but it rarely resolves what we're avoiding.
Paying attention to what we avoid can tell us something about ourselves. What feels difficult to face? What are we afraid might happen if we do? We don't have to force ourselves into every uncomfortable situation, but we can become curious about the things we continually push away. Sometimes the discomfort we're trying to escape is pointing us toward something that needs our attention.