Member-only story
Why Do We Love Familiar Pain More Than Unfamiliar Joy?
We often fear change more than we crave happiness.
Ever notice how we cling to unhappiness sometimes, even when an opportunity for joy presents itself? It’s a strange phenomenon but a very human one.
We often fear change more than we crave happiness.
I remember being stuck in a dead-end job I hated for years. Every morning, I struggled to drag myself out of bed and head into the soul-sucking office.
I dreaded going in, working on mindless tasks, forcing fake smiles, and having small talk. It was miserable, but at least it was a misery I knew.
Then, one day, a friend mentioned they were hiring at their company. It was my dream job—meaningful work, growth opportunities, and a fun culture. I should have jumped at the chance. But I hesitated…”What if the new job is worse?” I thought.
Worried thoughts swirled in my mind about all the unknowns and possibilities for failure.
It took me far too long to finally quit the job I hated to pursue something better. Looking back, I wonder why I waited so long to embrace unfamiliar joy over familiar pain.
We All Do It
