The Five Shillings You Must Pay to Grow

Growth never happens in comfort. It demands a price, a toll you pay in moments that test your limits and push you beyond what feels safe. Whether you’re hiking the rugged trails of Zion, exploring the quiet stillness of the Redwoods, or simply facing your own inner challenges, growth asks you to pay five essential tolls. These are not just metaphors but real experiences that shape who you become.

I’ve learned this through my travels and solo hikes, where every step forward often meant sitting with discomfort, letting go of old versions of myself, enduring boredom, admitting mistakes, and resting when all I wanted was to keep moving. Here’s what I’ve discovered about these five tolls and how they relate to wellness, fitness, and the journey of becoming.

The Toll of Discomfort

Growth never happens in the cozy chair. It happens when you choose to sit with anxiety instead of scrolling through your phone, when you lift a heavier weight at the gym, or when you speak the sentence that makes your voice shake. Discomfort is the gatekeeper to change.

When I first tackled the steep climbs in Joshua Tree, my legs burned, and my breath came in ragged gasps. I wanted to quit, but I stayed. That discomfort was the price I paid for stronger legs and a clearer mind. The same applies to mental wellness. Sitting with uncomfortable feelings instead of distracting yourself builds resilience.

How to pay this toll:

• Choose the harder path in fitness, like adding weight or increasing distance.

• Face anxiety by practicing mindfulness instead of avoiding it.

• Speak your truth, even if your voice trembles.

  
  

Discomfort signals growth. It’s not a sign to stop but a sign to keep going.

The Toll of Letting Go

You cannot carry old versions of yourself and still move forward. This toll is paid in goodbyes—to the identity that once kept you safe, the grudge that felt like armor, or the dream that no longer fits.

During a solo trip to British Columbia, I realized I was holding onto a past version of myself that no longer served me. Letting go felt like losing a part of my identity, but it freed me to embrace new experiences and goals. Letting go is painful but necessary.

Ways to pay this toll:

• Say goodbye to grudges that weigh you down.

• Release outdated dreams that block your path.

• Accept that change means leaving some parts of yourself behind.

  
  

Letting go clears space for new growth, just like clearing a trail before a hike.

The Toll of Boredom

Real change is slow and repetitive. You pay this toll in the thousands of unseen steps: the daily walk, the meditation that feels pointless, the skill practiced when no one is watching.

When I was training for a long trek in Yellowstone, I spent hours walking the same paths, often feeling bored and restless. But those repetitive steps built endurance and mental toughness. The same applies to wellness routines and creative pursuits. Boredom is the quiet price of progress.

How to embrace this toll:

• Commit to daily habits, even when they feel dull.

• Trust that small, consistent actions add up.

• Find meaning in the routine, like noticing nature during a daily walk.

  
  

Boredom is the slow, steady rhythm behind every breakthrough.

The Toll of Being Wrong

Every time you admit “I was mistaken” or “I hurt you,” you hand over a piece of your ego. This toll is expensive, but it buys you trust, clarity, and room to become someone truer.

On a solo trip to Maui, I had to admit I was wrong about a hiking route and ask for help. It was humbling but opened the door to learning and connection. Being wrong is not failure; it’s a step toward authenticity.

Ways to pay this toll:

• Own your mistakes openly.

• Apologize when you hurt others.

• Use feedback as a tool for growth.

  
  

Admitting you’re wrong builds stronger relationships and a clearer sense of self.

The Toll of Rest

The hardest toll for many is stopping when the world screams “keep going.” True recovery—mental, physical, creative—asks you to pay with stillness, sleep, and the courage to do nothing while everything waits.

After days of hiking in the Grand Tetons, I learned that pushing through exhaustion only led to burnout. Rest restored my energy and sharpened my focus. Wellness includes rest as much as activity.

How to honor this toll:

• Prioritize sleep and downtime.

• Allow yourself to pause without guilt.

• Recognize rest as part of your fitness and wellness journey.

  
  

Rest is not weakness but a vital investment in your growth.

Growth demands these five shillings: discomfort, letting go, boredom, being wrong, and rest. Each toll shapes your journey, whether you’re trekking through Zion’s canyons, wandering the trails of Joshua Tree, or simply navigating life’s challenges. Paying these tolls with intention opens the path to becoming stronger, wiser, and more authentic.

Next time you face discomfort or boredom on a hike or in life, remember these tolls are the price of growth. Embrace them, and you’ll find the journey worth every step.