"We are the most comfortable generation in human history-and quite possibly the most annoyed. Our ancestors survived harsh winters, scarcity, predators, and genuine danger. We lose our composure when the Wi-Fi buffers or DoorDash is 10 minutes late. This isn't because we're weak; it's because our brains weren't designed for a world this easy. And strangely, the easier things become, the more intolerable any inconvenience feels."
"Comfort Creep: When Ease Becomes Expectation Comfort creep happens slowly, almost invisibly. As life becomes easier, we adjust quickly. The thing that felt like a luxury last year-a car that starts remotely, groceries delivered within an hour, heating that clicks on automatically-becomes the bare minimum this year. The strange truth is that humans are wired to normalize comfort. And the more comfort becomes our norm, the less tolerance we have for anything that deviates from it."
Modern life has eliminated many everyday frictions: climate control, fast food delivery, and instant digital entertainment. These conveniences make basic comfort the default and raise expectations for seamlessness. As comfort becomes normalized, small delays, mild discomforts, or minor inconveniences register as significant disruptions. Humans adapt quickly to increased ease and lose tolerance for deviations from new norms. This dynamic—comfort creep—coexists with problem creep, meaning people face fewer real threats yet experience growing psychological distress. The result is widespread tension, irritability, and sensitivity to trivial hassles despite rising material convenience.
Read at Psychology Today
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