Sit Around the Fire

#012: Addicted to Suffering: Choosing the Hell We Know


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Why do we cling so tightly to the very things that cause us pain? It's a question that cuts to the heart of the human experience, and one that reveals a startling truth: we often become addicted to our own suffering. 

I share how we frequently choose "the hell we know over the heaven we don't" because our subconscious mind perceives familiar pain as safe, even when it's destroying us. This isn't about self-sabotage—it's about how our brains are wired for survival and predictability, even at the cost of our wellbeing.

The suffering addiction shows up everywhere—in toxic relationships we can't leave, substances we use to numb out, chaotic work environments we perpetuate, and those mental loops telling us we're not enough. As Thich Nhat Hanh wisely observed, "People have a hard time letting go of their suffering out of fear of the unknown." Our ego, desperate for control, keeps us trapped in these patterns.

But there's hope in understanding this cycle. Your suffering has a message—it's trying to teach you something. The challenge lies in being willing to get "sick of being sick" enough to make meaningful changes. Through awareness, acceptance without shame, and intentional thought patterns, we can begin breaking free. 

The transformative visualization exercise at the end guides you through identifying and compassionately releasing the weights of suffering you've been carrying. Remember that healing isn't a quick fix or hard reset—it's about small, consistent shifts that accumulate into profound change.

Ready to explore what's on the other side of the familiar pain you've been carrying? Listen now, and discover that you aren't broken by your suffering—you're becoming who you were always meant to be.

Welcome to Sit Around the Fire! https://sitaroundthefire.org

Healing happens in community.

💌 FREEBIE Mindset to Mantras https://green-bird-21921.myflodesk.com/mindsettomantra

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Sit Around the FireBy Ashlea Dillard