The Pursuit of Comfort

In today's world, the goal of most consumer products is to make us more comfortable.  Even in the outdoors industry, it is all about making the outdoors as comfortable as our living rooms.  I am beginning to question if comfort is what we should be pursuing.

There is a cycle that we need to make sure that we do not fall into.  Comfort (and it's sibling Convenience), can be almost like a drug.  The more comfortable options are almost always those that are less challenging physically and mentally.  Therefore, making us more likely to want (or need) a more comfortable option in the future... and the cycle begins.

I assure you that there is a point to my little rant.  Yesterday, as the workday was coming to a close, I was debating on heading to the woods for a short hike.  Then, the other thoughts started creeping into my head: "It's a little chilly outside", "It's been a long week", "I'm a little tired", "The recliner is calling my name".  Then, I stopped and realized that I was about to forgo an activity that I love to do in exchange for a more "comfortable" option.

Needless to say, I was disappointed with myself, and I went hiking.  We need to make sure  that the choices we make in life are not predominately driven by comfort.  I do not want to look back on my life and think "well, I really didn't do much, but at least I was comfortable".  We were put here to experience life and we simply cannot live life to the fullest from the comfort of our recliner.