Comfort

Comfort is what humans need for the optimal development of essential skills and healthy coping mechanisms. It is ironic that the people who say that they "develop via struggle" actually have particularly elaborate comfort zones. Society should abandon the idea of "enduring pain;" instead, they should introduce and cultivate mindsets that normalize respecting human limitations, encouragement, and building conducive and safe environments. The world's healthiest people really have pampered lives, extensive support systems, and live in environments and with systems that promote feelings of comfort and safety. Instead of valuing the illusion of "sacrifice," we should value the human need for comfort. Optimal development also requires an easy environment. Here, an "easy environment" is any environment where essential support systems are in place, civilian life dominates everyday decision, and where there are decent job opportunities aplenty. "Decent job" means sufficient wages and healthy working conditions.

Have you ever seen why people resort to addiction and vices? It is because pains around them go too much for their caliber. Telling such people to "just endure it" either has no effect or worsens the ordeal. Humans are not designed to thrive from pain and suffering. You don't need scholarly research to prove that humans need comfort. You can see that in everyday observations. It is open knowledge that people kill themselves when adversity becomes too much to bear; it doesn't have to be a "permanent" disability; so-called "temporary" setbacks or ordeals, when they happen at certain intensity levels, have the same effects as those "permanent" limitations. Human brains are designed to distinguish between "mild" and "severe" ordeals, not between "permanent" and "temporary" ordeals. Stoicism is a rhetorical device to prevent people from speaking up about systematic flaws and missteps that afflict them. Such a concept should not even exist in everyday human language.

Twitter/X flashcards

"I'm so tired of poverty porn in movies, like bro. NO, poverty isn't beautiful or metaphorical or poetic. It's disgusting, gut-wrenching, and can be dehumanizing. Let us please not glorify it."

—Shawl Goodman (@shawlgoodman); May 4, 2025

"A trend I've been noticing more and more is that people glorify struggling a lot in order to 'prove' that they did something of value or to feel worthy. I wonder how we can make the switch to leaning into ease rather than relying on pain to make something 'worth getting.'"

—Nix (@startingfromnix); February 14, 2023

"Discipline? Overrated, just like kale smoothies. Real strength is knowing when to break the rules and embrace your inner chaos. Stop glorifying suffering; comfort's where the true greatness lies."

—BushudiZone (@BushidoStoic); March 6, 2025

"Stop glorifying suffering. Stop calling people 'heroes' because they died or because they are living through harsh conditions. No one chose this. No one wants it. And this idea doesn't comfort anyone except the viewer."

—Vanilla (@VeryyVanilla); January 8, 2024

"Let's normalize not romanticizing pain. Someone's suffering shouldn't make them a hero or inspiration. No one should have to suffer for you to see their strength. No one should have to suffer period."

—@orizgold_; September 4, 2020

"You embrace discomfort like it's a badge of honor, but isn't it just a shield for avoiding real growth? While you parade 'strength in struggle,' real fighters learn to rest and still win battles. Stop glorifying suffering—master the art of ease and watch true power unfold."

—BushidoZone (@BushidoStoic); March 16, 2025

"Think about it: we celebrate pushing through pain. We admire those who 'never complain.' We praise people for working themselves to exhaustion. These aren't signs of health. They're symptoms of collective trauma."

—Theodoric Chew (@theodoricchew); October 30, 2024

"Your body holds onto trauma until it feels safe to let go. This is why quick fixes don't work. Pills don't heal trauma. Positive thinking doesn't heal trauma. Only safety, understanding, and connection can do that."

—Theodoric Chew (@theodoricchew); October 30, 2024

"Stop glorifying pain. Suffering is not the currency to buy happiness with."

—Gourmet Delights (@exceptionalfood); November 11, 2023

"Real progress comes from innovation, not unnecessary struggle. But until we stop glorifying 'suffering' as hard work, we are never leaving the trenches."

—Nwata Anayo Eze (@chisocriz)' March 23, 2025

"We need to stop glorifying suffering. We should have empathy and not say it will 'make you stronger.' No one deserves to suffer. We should try to alleviate people's suffering every chance we get."

—Gourmet Delights (@exceptionalfood); February 18, 2024

"Sometimes your suffering doesn’t prove anything. It is just suffering. Stop glorifying it and move."

—Desire needs SPACE (@medesire_); August 18, 2024

"In all this let's stop glorifying suffering. Just because you had a hard time growing in your career doesn't mean the young generation should also have it bad. Let's make the systems better. Parents spend so much money giving their kids the best education."

—Nana (@nkabuuza); May 8, 2024

"There is no honor in suffering. Experiencing pain does not make you noble. Hardship is not a sign of character. Struggle is not destiny. We all deserve joy and freedom, without condition—to be privileged in the most complete way."

—Chukwuemeka (@Jiskie_); November 30, 2017

"Suffering is character breaking, not building. Stop glorifying suffering."

—Drooling Drummer (@5BNylonTip); January 16, 2025