Victimhood is often a chosen comfort

2–3 minutes

To read

You don’t have to stay stuck in the same old patterns that no longer serve your life. Habits, thoughts, and environments that once felt familiar can quietly turn into limitations, keeping you from growing into the person you are capable of becoming. Staying in what is known may feel safe, but safety is not always the same as progress.

Do yourself a favor and allow yourself to question what no longer feels right. Crossing the line, stepping outside your comfort zone, or trying something unfamiliar can naturally bring feelings of uncertainty and fear. These emotions often hold us back, because human nature is not accustomed to the unknown. We instinctively resist what feels uncertain, avoiding the discomfort that comes with growth.

But here’s a subtle trick: fear is not always a negative signal. Depending on the time and place, it can be a guide – an indicator that you are on the right path. Emotions that we sometimes label as “bad” should not be excluded from our experience. They serve a purpose, helping us recognize progress and reminding us that we are moving forward. What matters is learning when and how to embrace them. Life asks us to welcome all feelings, while understanding their context and timing. (Reflections on our approach to emotions may be another topic entirely!)

So, in essence, I did something outside of my usual boundaries. I feel fear – which means I stepped out of my comfort zone, and therefore, I am growing. In the short term, leaving the familiar may bring anxiety, uncertainty, and hesitation. But over time, these moments are replaced with deeper confidence, resilience, and a sense of accomplishment that only emerges when we dare to move beyond what we know.

Real change requires both psychological and spiritual strength. Growth is not always loud or dramatic; sometimes it happens quietly, in moments of self-awareness and honest reflection. Let yourself see that you are more than you think – more capable, more resilient, and more powerful than the limits you have placed on yourself. Trust the strength within, embrace change with patience, and allow yourself to walk steadily toward a life that is better aligned with who you truly are.

At the end of this writing, I want to leave you with two lines to reflect on:

“Victimhood is often a chosen comfort.” – Alfred Adler

“If you do not become conscious of the unconscious, it will govern your life and you will call it fate.” – Carl Gustav Jung

30.11.2019

Construction site, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.

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Ama Ndlovu explores the connections of culture, ecology, and imagination.

Her work combines ancestral knowledge with visions of the planetary future, examining how Black perspectives can transform how we see our world and what lies ahead.