New spaces. New faces. Same old fear.

This week something happened that really stuck with me—and I wanted to share it with you.

I was walking out of the gym when I ran into a former colleague. He was with his partner, and they had just finished their workout. I hadn’t met her before, so we did the usual quick intros… but then the conversation turned to exercise.

Surprise, surprise! 😉

She shared something really honest: she doesn’t enjoy going to the gym.

She said she struggles with staying consistent—goes for a week, then misses a few… or more.

And right away, I could tell this wasn’t about discipline or motivation. It was about feeling uncomfortable in that space.

And gosh, I’ve heard this so many times over the years.

In fact, I’ve felt this myself.

She mentioned she felt more at ease when her partner was guiding her through the machines—helping her know what to do next. You could tell the gym felt foreign to her.

And honestly? That makes total sense.

Walking into a gym can feel like entering another world if you’re not familiar with it. It can feel like everyone else knows what they’re doing... and you’re the only one who doesn’t. 😬

(For the record: most people at the gym are too busy thinking about their own workout to notice what anyone else is doing.)

But here’s the thing I want to highlight: knowing that something doesn’t feel good or right to you?

That’s not a failure.

It’s actually a starting point.

A spark of awareness. ✨

A place to ask: what’s really going on here?

Sometimes our discomfort is our inner voice trying to tell us something.

Maybe this woman needs more support to feel confident in the gym. Maybe she’d thrive with a professional or a smaller, more personalized setting.

Or maybe… the gym just isn’t her place.

And that’s okay too.

There are so many ways to move your body. So many ways to feel good in your skin. You don’t have to force yourself into a space that doesn’t feel like a fit.

And funny enough--this week, I found myself in a similar situation.

I went to a place of worship I’d never been to before. As I pulled into the parking lot, I had this inner battle: Should I even go in? Will they notice I don’t know the songs? Will I stand out?

All those thoughts swirling: I don’t belong here.

Sound familiar?

It’s the same thing.

Vulnerability.

Discomfort.

That feeling of being unsure in a new space.

But here’s what happened—I walked in, sat down… and was met with kindness.

The stories my mind had made up?

Not true at all.

So whether it’s a gym, a yoga studio, a walking group, or anything else—you are not alone in feeling unsure.

But also… don’t let that discomfort stop you. Let it guide you. Let it invite you to pause, get curious, and figure out what would feel good and safe and right for you.

Because when we feel like we belong? That’s when we truly show up.

Stay well and happy moving,
Lisa

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