Voluntary Discomfort

We humans are wired to comfort. We dislike discomfort. Discomfort in any shape or form; physical, emotional, financial and so on. Anything that creates slightest discomfort, we either try to resist it or give every effort to get out of it, immediately. We get used to the comfort and convenience. We are so much attuned to it that we almost forget what it is like to feel the discomfort. We lose the sense of it. We lose the ability to deal with it.

But life is not about comfort all the time. It never stays the same for long. Sooner or later, you will have an encounter with a feeling of discomfort.

This is where trouble arises if you are accustomed to comfort all the time. You will be in distress as soon as something happens out of your comfort zone.

I read about this idea of “voluntary discomfort” which struck a chord; in a good way. I think the roots of this idea goes back to the stoic philosophy. Now you might have heard the phrases like “get out of the comfort zone”, “dreams come true when you get out of your comfort zone”, “life begins at the end of your comfort zone” etc.

However, my intention here is not to suggest that you renounce all comforts of life and irrationally dive into completely unknown territory. I am not suggesting self-inflicted pain.

Instead, it is about embracing this idea of discomfort from time to time by taking tiny voluntary steps. Experience what is on the other side of your usual comfort zone. Challenge the things you take for granted.

• Take really cold shower in the morning instead of immediately switching to hot water for your comfort.
• Get wet in the rain once in a while rather taking shelter under the umbrella.
• Occasionally choose public transport to work over comfort of your car.
• Rather reaching for food to satisfy your hunger, see if you can handle without any food for 16–18 hrs.
• See if you can resist buying something you want as if you simply don’t have money for it.
• Say something to your close friend, relative or family member that you always avoided out of emotional discomfort.

This idea of voluntary discomfort does two things.

1. You will appreciate the things you just take for granted in your everyday life. You will be more grateful for the things you already have and not feel discontented for the things you don’t have.
2. You will be more confident in dealing with uncertainty. You will be well prepared for any discomfort that could be just around the corner. It will broaden your comfort zone and you may be able to approach certain discomforts with more calm and ease than others who may panic or fall apart in similar situations.

And it’s not all darkness that comes out of trying voluntary discomforts. There is always something good emerges as a byproduct.

• Cold shower shocks and resets your neurological network. You will feel more energised instead of feeling lazy and lethargic after the hot shower.
• If you have any childhood memory of having fun in the rain, you know the feeling of water pouring down on your skin from the sky.
• You may have to walk more by leaving your car behind which ultimately is good for your health. I love reading, writing and sleeping. I can do all three activities while sitting in a train and leaving my car behind. I can’t do either of three while driving the car!
• Avoiding food for certain period may help your digestive system.
• By not buying the things, you will save time and money!
• By saying hard things, your relationship may grow stronger.

You will realise that many of our so called discomforts are actually comforts for lot of other people. Exercise being comfortable with your discomfort. Out of discomfort, we grow.