When pain shows up, a lot of us do something that feels completely responsible: we track it.

We check on it, press on it, search for what it could be, and log every twinge like it’s a data point. It comes from a good place, because we want to take care of ourselves. But somewhere along the way, the checking can turn into a trap. I know because I’m the kind of person who wants to solve everything, and I really don’t like feeling pain. If that sounds familiar, you’re not doing anything wrong. It’s one of the most human things you can do. It just might be worth asking what energy you’re bringing to the watching.