The Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort to Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self

Easter discusses his personal background, which is marked by a family legacy of chaos, alcoholism, and self-destruction. He shares his own struggles with alcohol, which once dominated his life and masked his insecurities and fears. At 28, a moment of clarity amidst his self-destructive lifestyle led him to choose sobriety, a path fraught with physical and mental challenges. Easter describes the difficult process of detoxification and the mental turmoil of adjusting to a sober life. Embracing the discomfort of sobriety transformed his perspective, allowing him to connect more deeply with people and appreciate the simplicities of life. Easter reflects on how, despite overcoming alcoholism, his life remained cushioned by different forms of comfort. Eventually, this led him to contemplate the impact of relinquishing these comforts.

Easter explains how humans have always instinctively sought comfort to promote survival and points out that the modern, developed world provides constant comforts in a way that contrasts with the majority of human history. He traces the evolution from Homo habilis to Homo sapiens, emphasizing how our ancestors’ lives were deeply intertwined with discomfort—facing harsh weather, persistent hunger, and physical labor. Many modern humans, however, live in a drastically different reality, spending most of their time in controlled environments with easy access to food and minimal need for physical exertion. Easter argues that while these comforts have improved life in many ways, they have also led to new challenges, such as increased rates of obesity, heart disease, and mental illness. He suggests that the lack of discomfort in modern life may be contributing to these problems, as humans are no longer exposed to the conditions for which they evolved.

Easter discusses the work of psychologist David Levari, which focuses on how humans perceive problems and discomforts. Levari’s research reveals that as problems or threats in our environment decrease, humans start to perceive less significant issues as more problematic: a concept termed “prevalence-induced concept change” or “problem creep.” This phenomenon is exemplified through experiments where participants judged faces as threatening or research proposals as unethical even as the frequency of these planted negative elements decreased. Easter connects this to the idea of “comfort creep” in modern life, arguing that our thresholds for discomfort lower as we adapt to new comforts, leading to dissatisfaction with previously acceptable conditions. This chapter suggests that the human brain’s tendency to make relative comparisons and adjust expectations can influence our perception of comfort and discomfort, often unconsciously altering our satisfaction levels and expectations in daily life.

Easter recounts his experience meeting Donnie, a backcountry hunter who epitomizes a new breed of hunters combining the skills of ultra-endurance athletes, survivalists, and naturalists. Easter describes Donnie’s approach to hunting as deeply rooted in a respectful and ethical engagement with nature, as opposed to stereotypical perceptions of hunting. Donnie hunts for sustenance, valuing the entire process over the singular act of killing, and seeks older animals to ethically balance natural populations. The chapter details a hunting expedition in Nevada’s wilderness, emphasizing the spiritual and physical aspects of the experience. Easter experienced the raw elements of nature, from severe cold to intense physical exertion, which contrasted with his usual life. This immersion into the wild, alongside Donnie’s philosophies, provided Easter with a deeper understanding of the human connection to nature, the cycle of life, and the significance of hunting as a means to return to a more primal state of existence.

This chapter introduces the concept of misogi, a practice of undertaking extreme challenges to achieve a state of clarity and toughness in mind, body, and spirit. Easter recounts his transformative experience in the Nevada wilderness, which led him to explore misogi further. He describes it as a ritual originating in Japanese mythology, in which extreme physical and mental challenges cleanse the defilements of the modern world and reconnect individuals with the universe.

Easter describes meeting with Dr. Marcus Elliott, a Harvard-trained physician and sports science expert, who has pioneered the modern application of misogi. Elliott explained that each misogi must be exceptionally challenging, offering only a 50% chance of success, to push individuals to the edge of their potential. Elliott said that this experience of pushing past perceived limits is crucial for personal growth and overcoming the fear of failure.

The chapter explores the psychological and physiological benefits of undertaking such challenges. Easter employs research by Mark Seery, a psychologist at the University at Buffalo, to indicate that facing adversity can lead to better psychological well-being, resilience, and overall health. Seery’s studies show that moderate levels of adversity can equip individuals to better handle stress and challenges in the future.

Easter reflects on the broader implications of misogi and similar practices in various cultures. He notes modern society’s lack of traditional rites of passage, which historically played a crucial role in personal development and societal integration. Misogi, in this context, serves as a contemporary equivalent, offering a way to confront and overcome the sanitized, regulated nature of modern living. Easter concludes the chapter by considering the impact of misogi on his own life. He recognizes the effects of stepping out of his comfort zone and facing extreme challenges.

Easter returns to the moment he embarked on a new and more extreme adventure with Donnie: venturing to the Arctic for a month to hunt caribou during their migration. He vividly describes the wild, untouched landscapes and the daunting challenge ahead, which included potential encounters with grizzlies and wolves, navigating treacherous terrain, and facing violent storms. Easter realized the immense physical and mental demands this journey would entail, far exceeding the challenges of their previous Nevada trip.

To prepare, Easter underwent rigorous physical training and educated himself on wilderness survival, including emergency medical techniques and knowledge of local wildlife behaviors. His preparations extended to ensuring he had the right gear and sufficient food supplies to withstand the harsh conditions and physical exertion. He focused on rewilding himself, shifting from routine gym workouts to functional exercises that mimicked the demands of the wilderness.

The chapter also details the psychological aspects of stepping out of one’s comfort zone. Easter discusses how new experiences can enhance presence and focus, slowing down our perception of time and enriching our life experiences. He touches on the neurological benefits of learning new skills, suggesting that such challenges can improve brain function and resilience.

Easter reflects on his 33-day trip to the Alaskan Arctic, emphasizing the contrasts between modern urban living and the primal call of the wild. The trip required a sequence of transportation from larger, modern aircraft to smaller, primitive modes. Easter felt a mix of anxiety and anticipation, not just from the impending challenge but also from leaving behind the familiarity of city life.

Easter explores the idea that humans naturally crave a connection with nature despite the advantages of urban living. He discusses Satoshi Kanazawa’s savanna theory of happiness, which suggests that densely populated cities may lead to decreased happiness compared to rural or small-town living. This idea is supported by the theory of Dunbar’s number, which proposes that humans are most comfortable in communities of around 150 people. It posits that larger societies, like cities, can overwhelm our social processing capabilities.

Easter recounts his flight into the Arctic wilderness aboard a small Cessna plane, piloted by Mike. As they ascended, he was struck by the raw beauty of the landscape below, a departure from the urban landscape he left behind. He marveled at the earthy smells and the stunning vistas of the tundra and mountains.

Easter’s initial fear of flying dissipated, replaced by awe and appreciation for the experience. Upon landing on the rugged tundra, Easter realized he was truly isolated—miles from the nearest town—and was filled with a sense of solitude. This solitude led to introspection about the contradictory loneliness present in urban society, where physical proximity to others doesn’t necessarily translate to emotional connection.

Easter and his companions, Donnie and William, landed in the Arctic wilderness and faced the immediate challenge of survival. Their first task was to find shelter, leading them to choose a higher campsite for better visibility and safety from predators, despite the trade-offs of exposure to wind and longer distance from water and firewood. They successfully set up their teepee, but their first night was fraught with danger as hurricane-force winds of over 70 miles per hour threatened to destroy their shelter. After a tense night battling the elements, they managed to relocate the teepee to a more protected area. Despite the morning’s harrowing experience, Easter reflects on the intensity of the situation, recognizing how such moments can make life feel more vibrant and meaningful.