In gaming, “Power Creep” refers to the phenomenon where updates to a game that make existing skills and combat stronger render older content obsolete. Where one boss on release might require ten minutes to kill, power creep over years might make this only five. This is a problem as making bosses too easy makes the point of the encounter – to fight a difficult and worthwhile boss – meaningless.

Similarly, “Comfort Creep” is the idea that suggests that as modern society becomes richer and more comfortable, there are hidden consequences on, perhaps ironically, our wellbeing. Proponents argue that struggle is intimately tied to meaning and by optimising our lives for convenience and comfort, we lose this deeper sense of potential insight.

I personally feel that the most rewarding days are not the ones that are spent in complete luxury, where I can sleep in, have zero responsibilities, and eat whatever I want, whenever I want. Instead, the greatest and most memorable days are ones that involve struggling with some challenge – fitness, writing, work, or whatever domain – and overcoming it. While the comfort days feel nice, have too many and it’s easy to wonder – what’s the point of it all?