Comfort or Potential?
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Comfort or Potential?

9
Comfort or Potential?
Taylor McMackin

Have you ever wondered if you made the right choice? Or if you’re moving too fast? I know this thought comes into my mind more than is deemed healthy. I tend to overthink things or when I feel too lazy for that, I just go to the other extreme and start making impulsive decisions. But no matter what decision I make, I usually end up choosing the path that leads me to the most comfortable conclusion. Whether it seems like it in the moment or not, it’s in our subconscious to choose (usually) the most comfortable outcome. I mean think about it, let’s say you have two choices, go walk down the sketchy street that only takes 3 mins or go walk through a park that will instead take you 20 mins. We would most likely take the path to go through the park. We can make the excuse, “...but the park is prettier”. But even with saying that we are implying that it’s more comforting to the eye to look at the beautiful park as opposed to the sketchy street. But sometimes with that kind of mindset we tend to take it too far and settle for something that we should strive harder for.

When things just seem to play out okay, we settle. Many times instead of taking the path we should, take we take the one that’s easiest. I mean sometimes that’s okay because we are comfortable but it becomes unhealthy when you get to the point where you pick something easy as opposed to taking advantage of the one life you have to live. A great example of this is just the toxic relationships you may have in your life. It could be with anyone, from friends to boyfriends and it could even be with parents as well. It’s almost easier sometimes to maintain those relationships and put up with the B.S. as opposed to saying “it’s over and I’m not dealing with this anymore”. Although it is the best decision for both people, it’s just so much easier to not face the truth.

It’s the constant battle of knowing when you are settling and when you know you are at your full potential. Over the years, I struggled a lot because I’d hear things like, “you know you’re better than that” and I would get a big head so I would hear, “well what makes you any different than us?” It wasn’t until this year while I was abroad that I realized where my “limits” are. It’s not even about having a big head but more so being comfortable with yourself and who you have become. If it weren’t for those “big headed moments” or those times of doubt, I would have never become the person I am today. Not saying I have it all figured out but it really got me to think what the “root” of settling is. I have to say that after doing a lot of pondering, I will conclude with saying that it was truly due to the fact that as humans, we looks for that comfortable bubble. It’s not really that we have a big head or that we’re self conscious. It’s that we look for a spot where we are comfortable. Even in those toxic relationships I mentioned before, we know that in life, nothing is perfect so if something is going “eh” then we just brush it off because “no one is perfect”. But then you have to stop and think, “what do I want?” And “am I being reasonable?”. Once you have answered those questions, that’s when you know can make the conclusion if you’re settling or not.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

58014
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37370
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959032
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

192519
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments