Ok, we know growth stems from discomfort… but now what? I still don’t know what my next step will be…
Let’s face it, growth isn’t this linear, magical path we often wish it was. Sure, discomfort pushes us forward, but that doesn’t mean we have all the answers now that we’ve stepped into that uncertain space.
I’m right there with you. I’ve been standing at the edge of “what’s next?” wondering if I’ve learned all the lessons, tackled all the demons of discomfort, or if there’s some cosmic, obvious next move waiting to slap me in the face.
The truth? No, there’s no clear-cut next step. And that’s exactly why it’s hard, and that’s the point. (I’ve read that from some wise human in a book :/)
Personal wallpaper concept
Life always gives us what we need, not always what we want.
I’ve you’re like me, you live a comfortable life and career, yet somehow you feel stuck at the same time. Weird isn’t it?
The world asks us to be comfortable, to have it figured out, to stick to the script. We inhabit a society that conditions us to avoid failure at all costs, a lesson ingrained in us from the moment we’re young. The education system rewards getting the right answers while punishing mistakes with bad grades, turning the learning process into a game of perfection rather than progress. Parents (often with good intentions) shield their children from failure, stepping in too soon to fix problems. Achievements are praised, but effort is overlooked, reinforcing the belief that success is about results rather than resilience.
This mindset carries into adulthood, shaping workplace culture. Employees learn quickly that taking risks can backfire, and that companies celebrate flawless execution but rarely reward bold attempts that don’t succeed. Playing it safe becomes the norm, stifling innovation before it even has a chance. The fear of judgment keeps many from trying new things, from sharing imperfect work, and from showing the messy reality of growth.
This fear of failure holds people back even in design, where creativity should thrive. Designers stick to best practices, lean on established frameworks, and chase pixel perfection, but rarely are they encouraged to experiment openly, to fail in public, to iterate with uncertainty. The unspoken rule? Don’t risk looking like you don’t know what you’re doing.
And yet, that’s exactly where real growth happens — outside the polished, predictable, and safe.
It whispers that discomfort is dangerous, that mistakes define us, that we should remain within our safe, predictable boundaries and never venture beyond. For years, I surrendered to this narrative — shy, paralyzed by the fear of failure, ignoring that persistent inner voice urging me toward a greater purpose.
And it wasn’t just in life; it was in my design work, too. I stuck to what was familiar. I relied on tried-and-true methods. I stuck with companies because they offered a steady paycheck over enjoying my work. At a certain point, I feared going back to freelance or joining startups because what if it didn’t work? What if it looked ridiculous? What if I failed in front of everyone?
That’s the exact moment we usually hit that wall. Your comfort zone is the space (real, or in your mind) that you have carved out for yourself that makes you feel safe.
We usually have two choices: stay where we are or lean into the discomfort and grow.
Personal design for a wallpaper series
But here’s the ugly truth: comfort kills ambition.
The very moment we’ve crossed over into growth, the rules change. Now, it’s not about chasing comfort or being seen as a “pro” — it’s about getting comfortable with not knowing what comes next. It’s about accepting that your growth doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s and that sometimes, it’s a series of small, messy leaps, not grand, calculated steps.
So how do we deal with that?
By facing it. Oh boy, is that hard!
So how do we deal with that?
Accept that uncertainty is your new best friend.
When you’re feeling that pull to play it safe, recognize it as an invitation to do something bold. The world won’t hand you a roadmap. There’s no master plan, no “perfect timing.” Growth is about making decisions in spite of uncertainty, not waiting for all the stars to align.
2. Rewire your thinking about what it means to “arrive.”
We’ve been conditioned to think that one day, we’ll hit this magic “I’ve made it” moment. But the truth is, you don’t arrive. You evolve. You keep pushing, shifting, and transforming. Stop waiting for permission to take that next step. Stop expecting that it’ll all make sense. It won’t. But it will be worth it.
3. Make discomfort your ally.
When you get that feeling of “What now? I don’t know what’s next,” instead of freezing, lean into it. This is where your most important next step is hiding. I used to fight that feeling, but now, I’ve learned that it’s my signal to dig deeper, to try something wildly new, or to refine something I thought was already done. Growth doesn’t always look like forward movement — it often looks like reworking what you’ve already started.
4. Lead with courage, not certainty.
Here’s the kicker: You don’t need to have every piece of the puzzle figured out to lead. Courage beats certainty every time. I’ve watched my most successful colleagues, not because they had all the answers, but because they made bold decisions in the face of the unknown and inspired others to do the same. That is leadership.
16 UX and UI Design Tips That Always Deliver Growth — Stef Ivanov
Growth — beyond learning new tools
Growth, especially in the fast-evolving world of design, requires more than just mastering new tools or trends. It’s about navigating the uncomfortable spaces of leadership, collaboration, and influence, where discomfort pushes you to stretch beyond the familiar.
In design, as in life, growth comes from friction. It’s in those moments where you feel completely out of your depth that you evolve. But most of us don’t want to go there. We tend to avoid projects that feel too complex. We often resist learning new tools because it makes us feel like a beginner again. And let’s face it, that sucks. We cling to what we know instead of exploring what could be.
In his article “Reflections on leadership, growth, and design: Lessons from my journey at xccelerate,” Kaleb cardenas Z shares insights from his tenure as Service Design Lead and UX Instructor, highlighting the continuous growth he experienced in these roles.
For a long time, I was no different. Until I wasn’t. I haven’t fully solved it yet, but I’m trying hard to have faith in what life throws at me. I intentionally put myself into uncomfortable situations so that I get better at adapting… not coping.
My journey of transformation began when I deliberately sought the unknown:
Challenging my limits 30 feet underwater, holding my breathSharing vulnerable content before millions (including haters)Embracing new sports despite initial incompetenceVenturing into unfamiliar territory — moving my family to Mexico, learning a new language, opening a dropshipping store with my kids…Testing my physical and mental boundaries through ancestral medicine, cold exposure, breathwork practices, and rigorous training regimenTrying to abandon the “safe” path and follow my intuitionDoing daily ice baths
And, just as importantly, I began taking risks in my design career:
Designing in styles I had no prior experience withStarting having different conversationsPitching bold ideas in rooms where I felt unqualifiedAdopting new design tools forced me back into a beginner mindsetSaying yes to projects before I felt “ready” (this is big)Challenging industry norms instead of playing it safe
These experiences taught me something fundamental: growth is never comfortable. But comfort is a slow death for creativity and innovation.
The greatest insight
Fear isn’t concrete reality — it’s a protective narrative generated by your ego.
But here’s the paradox: safety and growth cannot coexist.
If evolution is your goal, discomfort must become your compass.
This is exactly what’s shaking many of us right now. The design game has changed and I sometimes don’t know where I fit anymore. With the speed at which tech evolves, AI, the great unknown in front of us is challenging us all to rethink our next step and move.
This applies to design just as much as it applies to life. If you want to stand out in your field, stop playing it safe.
Safe ideas are forgettableSafe designs blend into the noiseSafe careers stagnateSafe gets you knowhere
And here’s what most people don’t tell you: advancing in your career isn’t just about perfecting your craft. The difference between junior and senior designers — or senior and principal — isn’t just skill. It’s soft skills. It’s how well you navigate relationships, how you influence decisions, and how you bridge the gap between design, engineering, and product.
Your pixel-perfect design doesn’t matter if you can’t get buy-in from developers and PMs to bring it to life. Once I realized that, the game changed.
The best designers aren’t just great at designing. They’re great at leading, persuading, and collaborating. That’s what sets them apart.
Personal podcast template Framer design exploration
The formula for transformation
The breakthrough equation is simpler than you might think:
Self-awareness + Self-compassion
Self-awareness demands brutal honesty:
What patterns keep you trapped?What truths are you avoiding?Where are you choosing comfort over potential?
Self-compassion recognizes that perfection isn’t the goal. Growth isn’t about self-criticism — it’s about acknowledging your limitations while moving forward regardless.
This shift in mindset changed everything for me. Instead of beating myself up for not being “as good as” other designers, I started asking myself, “What can I learn from them?” Instead of dreading the feeling of being a beginner again, I started embracing it. Instead of viewing imposter syndrome as a sign to stop, I started seeing it as proof I was in the right place — at the edge of my current abilities, where real growth happens.
Demystifying success
Stop idealizing others. Those you admire encountered obstacles too. The only meaningful distinction? Persistence through difficulty.
The best designers, the most successful creators, the people who make a lasting impact — they don’t have some magical talent that others don’t. They simply keep pushing past the discomfort that stops most people in their tracks.
Your invitation
Today, I challenge you: Step deliberately into discomfort.
Dine alone in a crowded restaurant.Embrace the shock of a cold shower.Publish that controversial post you’ve been holding back.Experiment with a completely new design style.Apply for that dream job, even if you don’t feel ready.Schedule a 1:1 with a developer or PM and build that bridge.
Do something that accelerates your heartbeat. Because your authentic life — and your most impactful work — begins precisely where your comfort zone ends.
The design game has changed and I don’t know where I fit anymore… maybe that’s exactly it. We don’t fit in anymore, and that could be a sign to create our own reality and dare to do that thing we’ve always put off.
The question is: Will you choose growth?
Life Begins At the End of Your Comfort Zone. Here’s Why.
https://positivepsychology.com/comfort-zone/
Essential Soft Skills for UX DesignersReflections on Leadership, Growth, and Design: Lessons from My Journey as Chief Experience OfficerLeading Beyond Authority: The Power of Influence in Design LeadershipBreathing techniques | Wim Hof MethodFear is the Usual State of the Ego, But We Can Overcome
Growth begins where comfort ends. Yes, it’s easier said than done. was originally published in UX Collective on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
