Comfort is killing us
Literally.
Comfort food. Comfortable furniture. Comfortable routines. Comfortable careers.
John Locke's pursuit of happiness has morphed into the pursuit of comfort.
We've built entire industries around it.
Minimizing effort. Minimizing pain. Making us feel good.
And what do we sacrifice for this comfort?
Growth.
Growth requires discomfort.
Muscle tears before it strengthens.
Learning happens at the edge of uncertainty.
"No pain, no gain." Said the great philosopher Arnold. "Comfort is killing your gains!"
We pursue comfort, hoping it will bring contentment. We forget that contentment often comes from overcoming, not avoiding.
The most profound experiences of my life came from moments of deliberate discomfort. Moving to Japan with 1000 euros and no plan. Starting a company without knowing anything about business. Rebuilding after near-bankruptcy.
I don't want to relive these experiences. But I wouldn't want not having had them. They define me.
And still. I catch myself leaning into comfort. Embracing it. Letting it dictate my every move.
I convince myself. I worked hard, so I deserve it. There's even a word for it.
Work-life balance.
A noble concept born to protect us from exploitation. But lately, I wonder if it has evolved into something more insidious. A silent agreement that work is inherently painful, so we need designated time for comfort to compensate.
But isn't that making us more obedient workers, quietly exchanging our potential for security? Have our comforts become golden handcuffs?
We value freedom, yet readily trade it for predictability.
We want growth, yet resist the very discomfort necessary to achieve it.
Maybe we need to remind ourselves.
Comfort is not happiness.
Comfort is slowly killing us.
Discomfort is temporary. But growth endures.