Facing the Storm Like a Buffalo—Why Running Toward Change is the Answer
The Concept
A while back, I was driving through a rural area after dropping my daughter off at a friend’s house when I saw something curious: a herd of cows, all facing the same direction, slowly plodding away. At first, it didn’t seem remarkable—just a bunch of cows doing their thing.
But then I realized what was actually happening.
They were walking away from a storm.
It made sense in theory—who wants to head straight into bad weather? But here’s the problem: by trying to avoid it, they were staying in the storm longer. Instead of facing it head-on and pushing through, they were prolonging their discomfort, stretching out their time in the downpour, the wind, the chaos.
Buffalo, on the other hand, do the exact opposite.
When a storm is approaching, they don’t run away. They turn into it. They charge straight through. Yes, it’s intense. Yes, it’s painful. But because they face the storm, they get through it faster.
The first time I heard this, something clicked. I choose to be a buffalo.
The Hidden Truth: Why Avoidance Only Extends the Pain
We all have storms—difficult conversations, life transitions, healing old wounds, making bold career moves. And most of us, at some point, have taken the cow’s approach.
We avoid the hard things, hoping they’ll pass on their own.
We distract ourselves, pretending the problem isn’t there.
We put off decisions, hoping time will make them easier.
But the truth? Running from the storm doesn’t make it disappear. It just ensures we stay in it longer.
Psychologists call this avoidance coping—when we try to escape discomfort rather than deal with it directly. Research shows that while avoidance may provide temporary relief, it actually increases long-term stress and anxiety (Carver & Connor-Smith, 2010).
In contrast, studies show that people who lean into discomfort and short-term pain—whether in business, relationships, or personal growth—develop greater resilience, adaptability, and long-term success (Duckworth, Grit, 2016).
When we run away, we prolong our suffering. When we face it, we move through it faster.
My Own Journey: Choosing to Be a Buffalo
I’ve had plenty of “buffalo moments” in my life—times when I had to decide whether to run toward the storm or try to avoid it.
One of the biggest was leaving the security of a stable career to build something of my own. At first, the excitement carried me. But then the reality hit: the uncertainty, the self-doubt, the financial stress. Everything in me wanted to turn back, to retreat into the familiar.
But I knew that avoiding the discomfort wouldn’t make it go away. The fear, the doubt, the challenges—they were part of the process. The only way through them was to face them head-on.
So I did. And it was hard. But because I leaned in rather than ran away, I moved through the uncertainty faster. And now, I can say with certainty—it was worth it.
Why This Matters: Where Are You Avoiding the Storm?
This pattern shows up everywhere:
You avoid a difficult conversation in your relationship, hoping things will just get better… but they don’t.
You put off making a career change because it feels scary, only to stay stuck in a job that drains you.
You ignore your finances instead of addressing them head-on, and the problem compounds over time.
Avoidance keeps us in suffering longer. Facing the storm is harder in the moment, but it gets us to the other side faster.
Your Turn: Are You Ready to Be the Buffalo?
Take a moment to reflect:
Where in your life are you acting like the cow, avoiding the storm?
What’s one action you can take today to be the buffalo—to face the hard thing now instead of prolonging the struggle?
If this resonates with you, follow me for more insights on transformation and resilience. And if you’re navigating a storm and need guidance, let’s talk. My coaching programs are designed to help you move through change with confidence and clarity.
