Voluntary Discomfort
Our lives are too comfortable.
So much so, that when we’re faced with any inconvenience, we’re sent spiraling.
The A/C goes out,
There’s an issue with our car,
Someone at work upsets us,
These things feel like a big deal, but compared to what many people in the world are facing…?
I’m not trying to be a jerk here, but many of us have become too comfortable, too quick to complain, and not nearly grateful enough for the life we’re living.
I’ve mentioned this quote from Sam Harris before, but it’s worth repeating:
“There are at least a billion people, who would consider their prayers answered if they could switch places with you”
The life we have, with unlimited fresh water, internet, DoorDash, grocery stores, and enough free time to scroll on our phone and binge Netflix…
This life is heaven on earth to someone living in poverty in South Sudan right now, facing the daily threat of starvation.
My point?
We should remind ourselves on occasion how good we have it, through voluntary discomfort.
The Stoics believed it was important to remind themselves that life could be worse (and this was over a thousand years ago).
They would spend a night sleeping on the floor, instead of a comfortable bed.
Or only eat hard bread and water for a time.
This helped them to achieve a few things:
It keeps things in perspective
It prepares you for the worst… what if you lost everything? It wouldn’t be such a shock, because you’ve enacted it many times.
And finally, it gives you a renewed appreciation for what you have, by reminding you what life is like without it.
In the modern world voluntary discomfort could mean leaving your phone at home, taking cold showers for a time, sleeping on the floor, fasting, or at least eating simpler food.
You get the idea.
There are a million comforts that we’ve come to rely on. They aren’t nice extras or luxuries to us anymore, they are requirements… we’re owed them.
We should intentionally spend time without these things, to avoid this entitled mindset.
While one person sleeps in a thatched hut with 10 of their family members, stomach growling, anxious at the ever present threat of civil war and gangs,
Someone on the other side of the world is sleeping in a half a million dollar home, two cars in the garage, fridge full, and dreading going to work the next day.
This isn’t to say that none of our issues matter.
It’s about perspective.
It’s about reminding ourselves to stay grateful, and humble.
That doesn’t mean we can’t strive for a better life, (and hopefully better the world one day),
It only means we shouldn’t become bitter in the pursuit of it, because we have a lot to be grateful for.
So practice voluntary discomfort.
Imagine life without all the miracles we have in our day to day.
And improve your life through that lens.