In January, my partner announced a new life goal: every year, he wants to do one thing that makes him uncomfortable. It could be training for something really hard, learning a new skill, saying yes to something that’s intimidating, experiencing something new… You get the idea.
My first thought was, we just had a baby! Isn’t that difficult enough? Do we really need to add something more to the list? But that thought only lasted 10 seconds. Because I love this idea.1 And I 100% understand why my partner wants to do it.
Like my partner, I know it’s the uncomfortable and challenging moments that shape you. They are the ones you remember years later, and I don’t want to look back and feel like I wasted time.
So, I asked myself, what do I want to do that’s uncomfortable this year?
I started thinking about the things from past years that left an impact. Almost immediately, I thought about last year when I walked into the Utah State Capitol and lobbied for the first time.
I was scared, overwhelmed, and uncomfortable. I didn’t feel like I belonged there. I wasn’t a lawyer or a politician who knew the right things to say. I was just a mom who wanted to advocate for our environment so my sons can grow up in a place where it’s safe to be outside.
That first time lobbying was empowering. I conquered my discomfort and fear to do something I felt was important. I knew I wanted to do it again.
So this year, when the local environmental nonprofit I volunteer with put out a call for lobbyists, I signed up. And this time, my partner, my brother, a friend, and my six-week-old son came with me. Together, we showed up on a Monday morning to urge lawmakers to protect the Great Salt Lake.
Despite my eagerness to lobby again, I still felt that familiar knot in my stomach. Arguing and challenging people (especially strangers) makes me uncomfortable. But I know that this discomfort is worth overcoming. The science is clear. As the Great Salt Lake shrinks, it exposes toxic dust that hurts public health. It also devastates local wildlife and negatively affects local weather patterns.
Standing in the ornate Utah Capitol halls, I couldn’t stop thinking about my sons growing up in a completely different Utah because I didn’t want to face my discomfort of advocating in person.
I’m not an expert or an insider. I’m a parent and a self-proclaimed tree hugger speaking out from a place of concern and love. I don’t think I’ll ever feel completely comfortable lobbying. It asks me to speak up when my instinct is to smooth things over. But I know discomfort usually means you’re doing something right. It usually means you're stretching yourself. It means you’re growing.
I can check lobbying off my 2026 “do something that makes me uncomfortable” list. But it wasn’t exactly new territory for me. I still feel the need to find something that makes me grow this year.
So what else should I try?2 Maybe I’ll decide to summit Mt. Whitney. Maybe I’ll commit to biking my kids to daycare. Or maybe this year, my challenge will be to focus on my postpartum recovery, giving it the extra attention it deserves.
Whatever I decide, I don’t want to be complacent. I want to move through my year with intention. And I want to show my kids that love (for them and for nature) requires action. And taking that action can be hard, inconvenient, and uncomfortable sometimes. But you take the action anyway.
And because I think you still need to find time to do things for yourself as a parent.
I know that rest is a wonderful and healing goal too. It’s just not what seems to bring me the most fulfillment.
Thank you for lobbying on behalf of Great Salt Lake! It can be unpleasant work but it’s really really important. The Utah Legislature on its own is not setting up a livable future for our kids in Utah.