Comfort Trap
It isn't a lack of being comfortable that is the problem. Allowing culturally-perpetuated addictions to comfort is the problem. A layer of awareness you haven’t built yet.
Let's explore comfort. For thousands of years humans have been using comfort to reduce suffering, find more pleasure, and make life easier. We've developed soft beds, pillows, blankets, sheets, cozy clothing, chairs, sofas, dentistry, medicine, drugs, insoles, supplements, the list goes on forever. Big corporations and small start ups are constantly tweaking things to sell you products that bring you a fraction of a degree of more comfort than the last product.
Many individuals and groups throughout history have explored comfort and discomfort. Stoics, Buddhists, etc...Self-help gurus telling you to get out of your comfort zone. These days, it seems “likes” become “preferences” we identify with, as being part of our identity. “That’s your thing”, “that’s my M.O.” The ego wants to hold up this idea of who we are to other people. We become attached to our likes and dislikes to the point where, over time, we become very picky about which stuff we need to maintain a certain standard of personal comfort. And as a result, we become habitual seekers of that level of (or more) comfort.
Have you ever asked yourself, "what is my level of expected comfort in life 10-20 years from now?"?
What products and services will I need to be comfortable when I'm 60, 70, 80 years old?
What if you could re-design the idea of comfort in your mind to make it so everything and every situation is satisfying and you're not worried about what you're uncomfortable with at all?
Re-designing the idea of comfort in the minds of humans would be one of the most pollution-reducing mind-hacks we could ever accomplish as a society.
It would also create more long-term happiness.
It starts with each of us as individuals. Think about it. You really want that massage chair. You know it's going to feel amazing to sit there and have a machine get all those knots out of your back. You've been locked up for days. The neck is all kinked. You can barely turn your head to look in your suv side view mirror. How great would it be to not have to pay your massage therapist anymore? You'd save $70/month! You could calculate the break-even point of buying that massage tool, or you could find a free tennis ball at the park and learn a little about trigger point therapy for free online. Both options solve the problem. 1 of them is way better for the planet (see the article on stuff).
The self-aware, guided-by-love human understands that the quest for comfort will evolve into a fixed mindset, and make the necessary change to procure a growth-mindset. It will take time and mindful effort. How do you eat an elephant again? One tiny little voluntary uncomfortable act after then next until you laugh at all advertisements perpetuating the comfort trap. And, no, you don’t need to pay someone to help you find discomfort. You don’t need a new app. Start thinking about every single thing you own and ask interesting comfort-related questions about it. Then think about everything you want to own. A future purchase. Is it just for comfort?
What about comfort food? That creates happiness! Comfort food really means unhealthy food that tastes good and feels warm in your tummy. Remember the real purpose of food.
It's amazing to me how many elderly people still eat bacon often! Is this how we grow old? We mindlessly go through daily routines without regard to health or the impact of our actions? What happened to developing a little courage and wisdom? Are we able to end food habit slavery in old age? Constantly seeking pleasure through food is one net in the overall "comfort trap" mindset.
Comfort means scared of change. If you want positive changes to occur, discomfort is often mandatory.
What about comforting someone after a loss? Of course there are times we need to be consoled. There are times we need relief. This is a far cry from seeking comfort constantly in everyday actions.
Remember those old anti-Obama signs that said "you can keep the change..."? As if we can stop things from changing! Things are going to change no matter what! The question is: In which direction do we want to steer that change for ourselves, our community, our country, the world, the universe?
In a world guided by love, each individual develops a mature ethical sensibility. We know that all life is intertwined in more ways than our tiny brains will ever be able to comprehend. We have learned that cooperation is the basis of living systems. Companies competing for profits to see who can make the most comfortable product makes no sense. Fill yourself with love. Avoid the comfort trap.