You know that feeling when your hands are cold, and you rub them together really fast?
Well, it’s the friction that creates the heat. Friction is the force that resists motion when two surfaces touch or try to move past each other. In a human sense, it can relate to different goals, values, interpretations, and identities. It’s often a source of discomfort and tension.
Friction can be productive or destructive. It can sharpen your thinking, uncover blind spots, and lead to better decisions. It can also lead to entrenched positions, emotional escalation, and a breakdown of trust.
I see friction as a wake-up call to ask important questions, such as:
Who was I, and who am I becoming?
What do I need to control, and what do I need to let go of?
Am I still chasing achievement, or am I searching for meaning?
When you feel unsettled or untethered, something is usually creating friction. That is the time to examine the feeling and explore what is really going on. Let the friction become a source of growth and self-discovery. Allow the “heat” to fuel your next step toward becoming who you are meant to be.
