There’s a powerful difference between feeling uncomfortable and being unsafe—and learning to recognize that difference is essential for navigating the world with clarity, courage, and compassion.
Uncomfortable means we're stretching, stepping outside of the familiar, or encountering new perspectives. It's the feeling of trying something for the first time, hearing a hard truth, or being challenged to grow. Every now and then, our discomfort comes from being in spaces where we are witness to or we are included in the disparagement or bullying of others.
That can be incredibly uncomfortable.
Unsafe, on the other hand, is about real harm or threat—whether physical, emotional, or psychological. Unsafe environments leave us exposed, vulnerable, and at risk. And there are many people in the world for whom danger is a daily reality. It’s important not to blur the line between discomfort and danger, especially when advocating for justice, inclusion, or personal growth.
So how do we tell the difference?
