I had this conversation with Axel last week.
At the time, I simply agreed with him. It was only later that I realised the importance of what he was explaining to me.
Let me put you in context.
I’ve been travelling with some mates (friends, the brothers) for 6 months. We travel and work online. After 2 months in Indonesia, then 2 months in Thailand, we’ve now settled down for the longer term in the Philippines, on an island called Siargao. It’s a crazy island, but we’ll talk about that another time.
We met Axel here at the coworking space. We quickly became quite close, and I hope we’ll stay that way.
Last week, the two of us were chatting over a beer, in particular about the lifestyle we lead: travelling, working online, having the freedom to live wherever we want.
I was wondering why a lot of people are afraid of this lifestyle.
A lot of people don’t know it’s possible. But of those who do know it’s possible, a lot of them don’t try it.
Why don’t they try?
When I talk to them about it, they say “wow, that’s crazy”, “it’s crazy to be able to do that”.
But when I ask them, “Why don’t you do it?”, they say, “No, I don’t know, I’m not sure it’s for me. I’ve got my flat, I’ve got my job, I’ve got my colleagues. I’ve built all that up.”
This thought can be summed up in three words: “the illusion of comfort”.
All those habits you’ve created, that environment you’ve got used to, that routine your brain loves: it’s this environment that I call (that Axel calls) ‘the furniture’.
I’m not saying that I’m right, and even less that it’s easy, it’s simply my point of view that I’m going to explain to you.
All these habits you’ve developed, this entourage, this environment you don’t want to leave, is it really comfortable? Of course it’s comfortable! So why should you leave it?
To discover.
To go to other countries, see other places, meet new people, discover new ways of life. All those things you dream about on postcards and Instagram, but as soon as you think about taking the plunge, your brain says: “STOP! What are you doing? I’m fine where I am!” That little voice that, as soon as you have a slightly crazy idea, finds twelve reasons not to do it.
“What about my mates?”
There’s Messenger, WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat, you name it. Let’s face it, today you see them for an hour a week – and that’s already a lot. Now, imagine that during that hour, you were discussing your travels, your discoveries, what you’re learning, your questions, and so on. Wouldn’t the discussion be more interesting?
“What about my apartment?
Don’t worry, it’ll be there when you get back, or it’ll be a better one.
“What about my job?”
Don’t worry, you’re in good touch with your colleagues, they’ll just say: “Great! Send a message when you get back!
“No, but working remotely isn’t for me, I need to see my colleagues.”
Wrong. You need to see people, you need a social life. Society has just formatted us so that this social life is at work.
It’s super convenient though (for the company more than for you), you work with them during the day, you see them at afterwork parties in the evening, you feel like you’re buddies with your colleagues… we’ll talk about that the day it’s their place or yours.
“No, but I don’t like being home alone when I’m working remotely.”
Don’t worry, neither do I. That’s why there are coworking spaces, where you meet lots of people, chat with interesting people, learn things about subjects you had no idea about.
I can think of lots of other examples, but you get the idea.
That’s what I call furniture. This environment that you’re used to, that makes you think, hesitate and then give up as soon as you have a crazy idea.
The principle of furniture is that it doesn’t move. So don’t worry too much, it’ll still be there when you come back.
Is it easy? Of course not.
Your brain is wired for comfort.
Any decision you make is either to be comfortable or to avoid discomfort.
So you’ve got to kill that little voice in your head that’s saying, “Er, wait, let me think this through… It’s OK, I’ve thought it through, don’t do it!”
It’s not easy, but it’s simple, and you’re not ready for everything you’re going to find behind every door marked ‘Warning, potential discomfort’.
What’s more, if you get your brain used to changing environments, discovering and adapting when you’re young, imagine how easy it’ll be to do that when you’re older!
Now, take out your mobile and write down something crazy you’d like to do. If there aren’t three steps that scare you or that you’re not sure about, then it’s not crazy enough.
Got it? You’ve got it?
Good, then let go of the furniture.
