Voluntary Discomfort
Stoic Reflection on intentional hardship as training for life's inevitable difficulties.
"Set aside a certain number of days, during which you shall be content with the scantiest and cheapest fare, with coarse and rough dress, saying to yourself the while: 'Is this the condition that I feared?'" — Seneca
This is part of the Stoic Reflection series. You can browse all reflections here
When was the last time you were truly uncomfortable?
Not inconvenienced.
Not annoyed.
Not slightly put out.
Truly uncomfortable.
The kind that makes you wonder how much longer you can endure.
The kind that tests your limits and exposes your weaknesses.
The kind that strips away your usual comforts and securities.
For most of us, the answer is: rarely, if ever.
Our modern world is engineered for comfort.
We heat our homes in winter and cool them in summer.
We satisfy hunger with a few taps on our phones.
We transport ourselves in cushioned vehicles designed to insulate us from the outside world.
We've mastered the art of comfort.
And in doing so, we've lost something vital.