Smelly Rooms
Without smelly rooms, we would not go in search of that which smells sweeter.
Detail of Indigo Dreams © Jo Jayson
Have you ever found yourself in a really smelly room? And yes, I do mean that literally, and not metaphorically. Have you ever walked into a room, or been stuck in a space that smelled really bad? I’m guessing that most of us have, and although you may not remember the particulars of time, place of smell, you will, however, remember the overwhelming desire to escape to somewhere altogether more pleasant.
Life is filled with smelly rooms — situations and circumstances that don’t feel, look or smell that great. Whether it’s as simple and basic as finding oneself in a room with a bad odor, or something as complex as finding yourself abandoned, rejected, betrayed or abused, the set-up is the same. We experience something we don’t want, and from that discomfort arises the desire for something better.
This Earthly experience called life is made up of an abundance of contrasts. Good days, bad days, rainy days, sunny days, the joys of birth, the sorrow of death, the exhilaration of a good physical workout, the pain and discomfort of a broken bone or swollen limb. We journey through our lives navigating the ups and downs, the twists and turns of circumstance and experience, and through this wild ride, we learn what we like and what we don’t.
Naturally, we do our best to avoid experiences that bring us discomfort or unhappiness. Yet life has a way of presenting us with circumstances we cannot always escape, and perhaps, from the soul’s perspective, are not necessarily meant to.
For it is through contrast that we come to understand the extraordinary spectrum of human emotion. Without experiencing sadness, how deeply could we appreciate joy? Without knowing loneliness, could we fully recognize the sweetness of companionship? And without enduring hardship, would we experience quite the same depth of gratitude when life becomes easier?
Consider the simple pleasure of a glass of water. When comfortably hydrated, drinking water is an ordinary experience. But imagine being desperately hot and thirsty, having gone far too long without a drink. Suddenly, that first glorious mouthful becomes an experience of incredible relief and pleasure. The water hasn’t changed. Your experience of it has.
Or consider the joy of being reunited with someone you love after a long separation. Their absence has heightened your appreciation of their presence, making the reunion all the sweeter.
Contrast Makes The Heart Grow Fonder
It is often the absence of something we desire that teaches us its true value. Contrast, therefore, offers us one of life’s most precious gifts: the ability to appreciate what we might otherwise take for granted.
The human heart is capable of experiencing an astonishing range of emotions, from exquisite love and joy to profound grief and despair, and everything in between. From a spiritual perspective, perhaps this is precisely what our souls came here to experience.
Rather than remaining in their innate state of unconditional love and joy, our souls embark upon an Earthly adventure, inhabiting physical bodies and navigating individual lives, each offering unique opportunities for growth, understanding, and expansion. No two journeys are alike, yet one fundamental principle remains universal: life evolves through contrast. For it is often through experiencing what we do not want that we discover what we truly desire.
Conflict can awaken a longing for peace. Illness may inspire a deeper appreciation of health. Rejection can strengthen our desire for acceptance and belonging. Feeling powerless may ignite the determination to reclaim our confidence and independence.
Even our simplest desires emerge through contrast. Feeling cold creates the desire for warmth. Hunger inspires us to seek nourishment. Exhaustion encourages rest. In each instance, an unwanted experience gives birth to a new desire, and that desire creates the possibility of movement, change, and growth.
Smelly Rooms Are How We Evolve
This is how we evolve, individually and collectively. Dissatisfaction inspires invention, adversity encourages resilience, and the longing for something better propels humanity forward. Through our experiences, we continually refine our desires, gradually weaving together a life that more closely reflects who we are and what we wish to become. And this brings us back to our smelly rooms.
Throughout our lives, every one of us will encounter many metaphorically smelly rooms. Some will be mildly irritating, others profoundly painful. Some we may leave immediately, while others may hold us captive for months, years, or even decades. The question is not whether we will encounter these rooms, but what we choose to do once we recognize where we are.
Even from circumstances we would never willingly choose, we may discover new clarity, strength, and purpose. And perhaps this is the deeper gift of life’s contrasts.
Some people become so accustomed to the unpleasant smell that they remain long after recognizing their unhappiness. Fear of change, uncertainty about what lies beyond the door, or simply the familiarity of their surroundings can persuade them to stay.
They may spend years describing how dreadful the room smells, convincing themselves that there is no alternative. Of course, leaving is not always simple or immediately possible. Some circumstances require courage, preparation, support, and time. Yet even when we cannot physically change our situation, something important can begin to shift within us.
The moment we recognize what we no longer want, we begin to discover what we do want. Disrespect may awaken a desire for dignity. Betrayal may clarify the importance of honesty. A painful relationship may reveal our longing for kindness, emotional safety, and love. The challenge is to recognize the message within the discomfort rather than allowing ourselves to become permanently defined by it.
Every unpleasant experience offers an invitation to ask: What is this teaching me about what I truly desire? What would feel better? And what step might I take towards that experience?
Sometimes the answer is wonderfully simple. Bite into a piece of bitter fruit, and you’ll probably go searching for something sweeter. Other times, it requires considerably more courage. It may mean setting boundaries, changing direction, asking for help, or finally acknowledging that we deserve something different.
Not every painful experience is necessary or deserved, yet even from circumstances we would never willingly choose, we may discover new clarity, strength, and purpose. And perhaps this is the deeper gift of life’s contrasts.
Our Smelly Rooms Need Not Become Our Permanent Homes
They can become places of awakening, reminding us that something within us is longing for change. Without contrast, we might never question our circumstances, challenge our limitations, or discover possibilities beyond what we already know. We might settle into complacency, unaware of the extraordinary experiences waiting beyond the familiar.
The next time you find yourself in a metaphorically smelly room, consider what its unpleasantness is awakening within you. Perhaps it’s inviting you to recognize a desire you’ve long ignored, a boundary you need to establish, or a new direction your soul is ready to explore. You needn’t be grateful for the smell itself. Simply recognize that your discomfort may be pointing you towards something better.
And when you’re ready, reach for the door handle. Because sometimes, it is only after experiencing what smells so terribly unpleasant that we discover just how sweet life can truly be.
Jo Jayson is an artist, intuitive and author, who helps women all over the world find empowerment, healing and inspiration. She is the creator of the Sacred Feminine series featuring 13 feminine energies, each with their own divine wisdom. Visit www.jojayson.com.
Meet artist Jo Jayson November 14-15, 2026 at the Natural Living Expo in Marlborough, MA, booth #709 and view her visionary sacred artwork, oracles and paintings. Purchase $21 Expo discount tickets now!
