Absorbed in comfort, we are restless. Drowning in excess, we are hollow. The statistics confirm what our souls already know: despair has metastasized, anxiety has become our natural state, and in the absence of real suffering, we have made a spectacle of our own discontent.

Which is why I think the modern idea of “self-care” is quietly killing our confidence. We’re told to cancel the plan, block the number, cut the “toxic” people, and shrink our world until it feels safe and cozy. But safe isn’t the same as alive.

Maybe I’m a masochist, but how else are you supposed to get wonderful relationships, deep skills, and... See more

Comfort and convenience are valuable for the time it frees up. But how we use that time matters. We need voluntary challenge, not the empty victory of quick dopamine hits. Research into discomfort—like ice baths or cold showers—shows these short bursts of voluntary hardship boost mood, reduce stress, and build greater resilience.

Similarly,... See more