To Seek or Not to Seek the “Comfort Zone”?
Over the past few weeks, I’ve found myself in a number of conversations about the issue of comfort. One friend shared, “Aren’t we all, ultimately, seeking a ‘comfort zone’ in life?” Another said, “I feel like I’ve been in a ‘comfort zone’ for years now… and I’m not using my full potential.” Yet another confessed, “I’m afraid to get too comfortable. What if I become lazy and scared to make drastic changes—like moving countries or switching careers?”
Three perspectives—one seeking comfort, one stuck in comfort, one afraid of comfort. Which one do we pursue? Should we aim for comfort or challenge ourselves to stay in discomfort for the sake of growth and newness in life?
The answer is, “All of the above.” The comfort or discomfort zone isn’t good or bad—it’s part of a natural cycle.
Think about your early years in school or the beginning of your career. For the most part, you were probably uncertain and overwhelmed because you found yourself in strange territory, needing to prove yourself and having to navigate life’s challenges on your own. So, naturally, discomfort was unavoidable. And in that discomfort, you grew—even though, at times, it was a painful experience.
Then comes stability (or comfort). You managed to land a job that suited you, found a place to call home and surrounded yourself with people you feel blessed to be around. Your life now felt good. It felt safe. And that’s not a bad thing. In fact, it’s necessary. It’s restorative. It has allowed you to catch your breath and find peace after periods of intense challenge.
But comfort, when prolonged, can have a subtle dark side. Without noticing it, we begin to feel stuck. We lose the spark. Restlessness creeps in. That’s often not a sign of failure—but an important signal. A whisper that you’ve outgrown the current version of yourself.
So, the cycle begins again.
Discomfort → Growth → Comfort → Stagnation → Renewal
It’s not linear—it’s seasonal. Well, not for everyone. I’ve known former colleagues—brilliant, full of potential—who’ve stayed in the same job for decades, even though they’ve been complaining about it the whole time. They never make a change. That’s comfort speaking. Or friends who say, “I feel kind of ‘meh’ about my job, but it pays for vacations.” That’s comfort speaking again.
And yes, some may argue—what’s the point of seeking discomfort if I’m perfectly comfortable? Why fix what isn’t broken? In my experience with some clients, when we say we’re “perfectly comfortable,” we’re often masking deeper fears. Fear of trying something new. Fear of failure. Fear that if we reach for more, we might lose what we already have. We tell ourselves that comfort is the goal—but deep down, we often know we’re hiding behind doubt and self-protection.
As Michael Easter writes in The Comfort Crisis, “Modern life has engineered hardship out of our lives. And while that sounds like a good thing, it’s actually making us miserable.” When life is too easy—when we’re never challenged, never tested—we lose a critical source of meaning.
That doesn’t mean everyone needs to chase extreme adventures or radical reinventions. It doesn’t mean you need to upend your life for the sake of it. But it does mean staying attuned to your inner signals. That quiet nudge that says, “It’s time to stretch again.” Maybe it’s trying something new. Asking a bold question. Saying yes to a slightly scary opportunity. Not to prove anything to anyone—but to remember who you’re capable of becoming.
My takeaways?
Discomfort is a sign you’re entering a new season—one that may bring growth, clarity and unexpected opportunities.
Comfort is essential—but it’s not meant to be the final destination. It’s the rest stop, not the end of the road.
So, to seek or not to seek comfort?
Seek it. But don’t live there forever.
Because the version of you that’s waiting on the other side of a little stretch… might just surprise you.
