It is safe to say that we all like the concept of comfort in our lives. I mean, our society and all its innovations are catered to the idea, to the very whim, of providing individuals with the most comfort and ease as possible. Our cell phones allow us to talk to friends that live across the country and even across the globe. Our blankets provide us with the comfort of warmth on a cold winter's night. Our televisions and game systems give us the comfort of entertainment when we feel the icy hands of boredom claw at our brain. Our entire existence, from our houses to the clothes we wear, is catered to the idea of providing us with the most comfort as possible.
Thus, it is only natural that we seek out the idea of comfort. We buy clothes that make us feel good or that feel good against our skin in relation to the outside temperature. We seek out friend groups that provide us with the comfort of company when we are feeling alone and dejected. It is natural to seek out what makes us happy and makes us feel at ease in a world and life that prove time and time again that reality can be frightening and often topsy-turvy.
However, is comfort the thing that we need one hundred percent of the time?
I know our entire society is built behind the idea of comfort and ease, but the reality of the matter is that we are not always going to find that comfort in every social situation. Sometimes, we are going to be faced with scenarios that leave us feeling quite uncomfortable and push out way out of that zone of ease that we are so accustomed to. For an artist, this could be showing someone your work for the first time or even trying out a new drawing style or technique. For writers, this could be pushing yourself to write in a genre that seems completely foreign on the surface. For the every-day man, this could just be talking to someone new in a scary scenario. These interactions are a part of life and no matter what your position is in this reality, you are bound to run into one of them. At some point, you will feel uncomfortable.
You will feel uncomfortable at least once in your life, so isn't it a good idea to be comfortable with this idea?
I know, this seems like a paradox on the surface. How does one become comfortable with the idea of discomfort? I personally believe it comes with the idea of understanding life's scenarios that was mentioned previously. There are going to be scenarios that you are going to feel uncomfortable with: this is just a given fact. So, like any good skill, one can practice and get used to the idea of this discomfort until it just becomes so ingrained in our daily lives that it seems like a comfort. Do this by putting yourself out there a little bit every day. Tell yourself that one little action will not lead to the end of all humanity as you know it. Try drawing in that new style or talk to that new person at your work. Little steps like these go a long way in preparing on for a more intensive reality ahead.
Become comfortable with the idea of discomfort. You never know what you will unlock about the world and about yourself along the way. You may discover that the very things you felt uncomfortable about in the beginning are actually great supports of comfort.
