I was struck by the memory of my "ripping off the band aid" metaphor when I saw this Rumi quote today:

"Dance, when you’re broken open.
Dance, if you’ve torn the bandage off.
Dance, in the middle of the fighting.
Dance, in your blood.
Dance, when you’re perfectly free." -Rumi

Coincidentally, I've been dancing more lately. And I'm feeling freer than I have in a long time.