Phrase for a slight discomfort necessary to move forward

As the title says, something that gets across that doing or starting something is unpleasant even though the subject is aware that it will help them in the long run. Less akin to long term commitments and more related to short term things like doing the dishes or brushing your teeth.

Solution 1:

A common metaphor is "growing pains".

There might be some growing pains, but they will be worth it.

Solution 2:

no
pain
no
gain

'used to say that you can only achieve something, for example become fitter, by suffering or working hard'

Longman

although this is used usually to refer to greater discomfort than "slight".

Solution 3:

Paying one's dues means to put in hard work at a low level, for the promise of something better in the future. It's often thankless, menial, possibly unpleasant work, but it can open the door for more opportunity later on.