Without finding pleasure in discomfort by exposing my body to cold by taking cold showers, walking in summer clothes in freezing temperatures, and rucking, I would not do all these things.
I wrote it many times, but if something is worth repeating, I will do it. Cold and rucking hurt. I wrote this text on the 29th of June, 2025. It was a day when I returned to rucking with the highest (for me) weight I’ve ever managed to have on my back and shoulders: 37.5 kg (83 lbs). I returned to this weight after 15 days. Was I happy while rucking? Yes and no. No, because, as I mentioned, rucking hurts. During the last 25% of my walking, I was literally praying for the end of this hectic walk. On the other hand, I was happy. Why? Because, since the very beginning of my journey with cold and rucking, I am constantly repeating to myself that I want to find pleasure in discomfort.
Do you know what’s the best, my Dear Friend?
I genuinely found comfort in discomfort and pain. Without the joy of the pain and happiness from discomfort, I would not take a cold shower and ruck. While writing all these things, I recalled one thing. Probably the first activity (or its lack) regarding finding pleasure in discomfort (but maybe not the pain) was intermittent fasting. After all, periods without eating (in general, I avoid eating earlier than 7 p.m.) are not comfortable. In general, most people try to have their stomachs full almost all the time. I am not one of them.
Today, I do not see fasting as a way of discomfort.
It became normal for me. Still, I cannot imagine the same with cold or with walking with 37.5 kg on my back and shoulders. I do not see an option when I would use freezing temperatures (e.g., to sit in summer clothes for two hours in minus 0 degrees) or walking with 37.5 kg on my back and shoulders without effort.
