Discomfort
There are so many things we steer clear of because they cause us discomfort. We don't ask for that raise, don't tell our uncle he's being too handsy, don't tell a lover how low he makes us feel, don't apologize.
We have to sit with our discomfort, get to know it, then push past it. The more you avoid it, the longer the situation will remain the same. The longer your mind will be occupied with worry. I've noticed I'm constantly worried. Worried my career is non-existent, worried I won't have the means to take care of my family, worried I'm not making the right decision, worried about what others think about me, worried about hurting other peoples' feelings when I tell them they've hurt mine...
I have a constant thread of worry thoughts floating through my mind on a regular basis. It's a cloud of smoke, and sometimes I can't see through it long enough to be productive. The only way to clear the air is to let that worry out. Articulate it. It won't be pretty, but after the discomfort passes you'll have a better idea of where you stand. Even better, you'll know what your next step is.