Is a Life Free of Pain and Stress Truly Possible?

If I told you a life free of pain and stress was possible, you’d probably roll your eyes and say, “Ah here we go again, some hippy meditation ramble”

We’ve all had those perfect moments: a lazy Sunday morning with the family, sipping coffee with no rush to be anywhere; a holiday afternoon, basking in the sun; or that blissful stillness watching the sunset with a glass of wine, feeling time slow to a stop.

No worries. No resistance. No mental noise. Just in the moment

If we’ve all felt this — even if only for a moment — doesn’t that mean it’s at least possible to feel like this more often or all the time?

But What About the Dishes, Bills, and That Nagging Boss?

I hear you. Life is full of stuff — the dirty pots in the sink, endless emails, the laundry pile that seems to regenerate overnight. Those peaceful moments don’t feel real because reality always bursts in the door, bursting that beautiful bubble.

But what if those moments of stress and frustration weren’t just annoyances to endure?

What if they were clues — signs pointing us to the parts of our life that need attention? The parts that cause us DIS-comfort (literally, a lack of ease).

What My Frustration Taught Me

For years, I found myself constantly frustrated by all the little things I had to do — chores, paperwork, meal prep, cleaning. I resisted it. I hated it. It felt like all this ‘life admin’ was getting in the way of the important stuff.

I told my coach at the time, “I love writing, but I never seem to get around to it.”

“Why not?” she asked.

Well, I’d scheduled it in the afternoon, after my ‘productive’ work was done.

Her response? “Why not do it first thing? Just as an experiment.”

So, I tried it.

The Experiment That Changed Everything

I started each morning with 25 minutes of writing.

And something strange happened…

I was calmer throughout the day.

The “crap” I used to resent — the chores, the emails, the to-do list — bothered me less.

It was like I’d been walking around with an itch I couldn’t scratch, and it had been driving me mad. But once I scratched it — by giving myself time for something I loved — the itch faded. The frustration, the stress, the constant feeling of being on edge… it all softened.

Your Stress is Trying to Tell You Something

So, here’s your challenge:

Next time you feel stressed, anxious, or frustrated, don’t just push through it. Get curious.

Ask yourself:

• Why am I feeling stressed right now?

• What led up to this?

• What would I rather be doing?

• What am I avoiding?

  
  

Your stress might not be a curse. It might be a clue.

Start Making Space for What You Love

Life is long and hard, and we all deserve to carve out time for the things that light us up.

Figure out your best time of day — whether it’s first thing in the morning, after the kids are in bed, or before you start work — and prioritise yourself.

And if you need help figuring out what’s holding you back, come and find me at adrianrichardson.org.