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Summary of Transcript:
In this episode of “Conversations with Tom,” journalist and author Michael Easter discusses his book, “The Comfort Crisis,” and the idea that people today are becoming too comfortable and soft, which has consequences for physical and mental health. Easter spent 30 days in the Arctic investigating this idea and suggests that it is important for people to push themselves out of their comfort zones to grow and learn about themselves. He also discusses his experience as a recovering alcoholic and how it has shaped his perspective on life.
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Summary of Description:
The article discusses the importance of stepping out of one’s comfort zone and the benefits of facing discomfort to challenge oneself for the better. The author and journalist Michael Easter share his experiences and lessons from surviving a month in the Arctic. Easter urges people to unplug and take on challenges they are unsure they can complete. The episode discusses the need for a rite of passage and the benefits of boredom, breaking routine, and finding Gratitude. The article emphasizes that embracing discomfort and breaking habits can help improve the quality of life in unconventional ways.
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Facing Discomfort: Lessons Learned From Surviving in the Arctic
In a world filled with constant technological advancements and a rapidly changing culture, it can be difficult to switch ‘off’ and step out of our comfort zones. However, author and journalist Michael Easter has experienced firsthand the benefits of facing discomfort and taking on unconventional challenges. In this article, we will explore Easter’s journey of surviving in the Arctic and the lessons and insights he gained, as well as discuss how stepping out of our comfort zones can improve the quality of our lives.
The Comfort Crisis Explained
Easter’s new book, The Comfort Crisis, delves into the impact of our modern lifestyle on our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. As a recovering alcoholic, Easter realized that his dependence on comfort hindered his ability to connect with himself and others fully. This sparked his decision to spend a month in the Arctic, surviving alone.
Journey to the Arctic
Easter’s journey to the Arctic involved hunting his food, carrying heavy loads, and sitting in absolute boredom. He explains that by putting himself in uncomfortable situations, he was able to learn more about himself and see the world in a different light. He even references the importance of a rite of passage, a cultural tradition that marks a person’s transition from one phase of life to another.
Discomfort and Boredom
Easter emphasizes the benefits of discomfort and boredom, which allow our brains to focus inward and meditate on our thoughts. He suggests finding joy and wonders daily rather than constantly seeking out problems. By breaking routines and habits, we force ourselves into presence and focus.
Outside the Comfort Zone
Easter touches on the idea of “comfort creep,” which occurs when we become so accustomed to our routines that we no longer challenge ourselves. He discusses how helicopter parenting and avoiding losing challenges can hinder our growth and development. Part of stepping out of our comfort zones is accepting that we may fail, but it is through these failures that we learn and grow.
Challenges Surviving the Arctic
Easter’s survival in the Arctic was not without its challenges. He experienced “problem creep,” where the origin of a problem gets lost, and new issues continually arise. This cycle is only broken through facing discomfort and finding new solutions. Easter also discusses how his first kill, a caribou, made him confront his relationship with mortality.
Breaking Routine to be Present
Easter found that he was forced into presence and focus by breaking routines and learning new skills. He emphasizes the importance of finding joy and wonders daily rather than constantly seeking out problems.
Rucking and Human Design
Easter learned about his body’s capability and human design by rucking and carrying long distances. This experience allowed him to understand better the importance of challenging ourselves physically.
Finding Gratitude
Easter ends the conversation with a reminder to find Gratitude in daily life. Focusing on the positives makes us more likely to see the good in difficult situations and approach change with a positive mindset.
In a world that thrives on comfort and convenience, stepping out of our comfort zones can be challenging. However, Michael Easter’s journey of surviving in the Arctic sheds light on the benefits of discomfort, boredom, and breaking routines. We can learn more about ourselves and the world around us by facing challenges and uncertainties. So, step out of your comfort zone, challenge yourself, and reap the benefits of growth and self-discovery.
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Source Description
You are living through exciting and strange times. There are so many technological advances with AI, space travel, NFTs, and a rapidly changing culture with social media it’s near impossible to turn ‘off.’ Let’s admit it, FOMO is real and keeps many people connected when they’re not even sure why they’re connected. When was the last time you unplugged and took on a challenge you weren’t sure you’d complete? How long has it been since you’ve sat with yourself in total silence or allowed yourself to be bored? Author and journalist Michael Easter joins me today to discuss his journey and share his lessons and insights from spending a month in the Arctic surviving. Hunting his food, carrying heavy loads, and sitting in absolute boredom are part of his story. As you listen to his story, I hope you will consider ways you step out of your comfort zone. There is something very freeing about shaking things up and breaking your routines and habits to improve the quality of your life in unconventional ways. This episode is about facing discomfort and finding new ways to challenge yourself for the better.
Order Michael Easter’s new book, The Comfort Crisis – https://amzn.to/3ihebjB
SHOW NOTES:
0:00 | Introduction to Michael Easter
1:05 | The Comfort Crisis Explained
3:02 | Journey to the Arctic
5:03 | Recovering from Alcohol
7:40 | Outside the Comfort Zone
8:55 | Helicopter Parenting Losing Challenges
12:16 | Touching Controversial Topics
14:53 | Challenges Surviving the Arctic
20:11 | Problem Creep
28:05 | Need for Rite of Passage
35:12 | Metaphorical Lions for Passage
41:19 | Comfort Creep & Habits
44:22 | Breaking Routine to be Present
47:45 | Discomfort and Boredom
50:00 | Benefits of Boredom
57:12 | Daily Routine
1:02:11 | Rucking & Human Design
1:14:05 | Killing His 1st Caribou
1:17:16 | Life Cycle & Mortality
1:27:16 | “This Too Shall Pass.”
1:30:31 | Want to Live Forever?
1:39:12 | Assigning Meaning to Life
1:42:20 | Rites of Passage Transformation
1:46:12 | Problem Creep Comparison
1:50:34 | Finding Gratitude
QUOTES:
“By never putting yourself in a position where you are uncomfortable, whether physically or mentally or with what you think to be true? You’re not going to; you’re not going to learn anything about yourself.” [7:41]
“As humans face fewer and fewer problems in our lives, we don’t experience fewer problems. We redefine what a problem is.” [22:50]
“If we never put ourselves in the position of true challenge, then we don’t learn something about ourselves” [40:26]
“The idea of trying new things and learning things that shake up a routine. It’s interesting because now, all of a sudden, I can’t predict the future, and I’ve got to learn some new stuff, and this is forcing you into presence and focus” [45:18]
“When you’re bored, your brain goes inward, starts to sort of ruminate it, you sort of have these different thoughts that are the more inward focus” [50:21]
“We don’t realize how freaking amazing daily life is. It is unbelievable all this shit that we take for granted in our life every day. We become unsatisfied with it; we look for the problems.” [1:50:36]
“If you look for the things that are joyful, good, and wonderful, then you’re gonna see that, and that frame of reference will color how you approach change.” [1:53:36]
Follow Michael Easter:
Website: https://eastermichael.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Michael-Easter-225875898170585
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michael_easter/?hl=en
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