Why Comfort Things Are More Than Just Self-Care
What is it about comfort that speaks so deeply to our souls? In our latest podcast episode, we dove headfirst into the cozy world of comfort things, exploring everything from favorite foods to nostalgic scents that transport us back to childhood.
The conversation began with our Weekly What-If: What if every comfort thing in your life suddenly became illegal? This thought experiment revealed fascinating insights about what we truly value. For Lisa, physical comfort items reign supreme – the perfectly positioned pillow, that favorite spot on the sofa, comfy pants that don't dig into your belly. For Josh, it was food-related comfort, particularly lasagna, that would be most devastating to lose. The idea of smuggling frozen lasagna or joining an underground weighted blanket resistance movement might seem comical, but it highlights how essential these comfort items are to our well-being.
What makes something comforting varies dramatically from person to person, yet the sensation it provides is universally recognized. There's something almost magical about how certain items, foods, or experiences trigger that warm, safe feeling. We explored how some comfort things remain constant throughout our lives, while others adapt and change as we grow. The chemical reaction in our brains when we experience something comforting is powerful – that explosion of satisfaction that Josh described perfectly captures the essence of finding your comfort thing.
Nostalgia plays a significant role in what we find comforting. For Josh and Lisa, their mom's creme de menthe pie with its crushed Oreo crust brings back vivid childhood memories. Music from our teenage years can transport us back in time, allowing us to recapture feelings from decades ago. Even specific sensory experiences, like the smell of rain through an open window while sitting at the computer, can trigger profound memories of carefree childhood moments. These sensory connections – whether through food, smell, sound, or sight – create powerful emotional anchors that provide comfort throughout our lives.
When breaking down comfort into categories, food emerged as a universal source of solace. Lisa's comfort foods include chicken noodle soup with grilled cheese, while Josh toggles between Chinese food, tacos, and the ultimate comfort food – lasagna. For entertainment, Lisa turns to Gilmore Girls when in need of emotional lifting, while Josh gravitates toward Netflix originals, particularly stories about underdogs persevering against the odds.
Our "This or That" game revealed fascinating preferences: rain over wind, sitting on a bench over walking alone, noodle bowls over rice bowls, campfires over candles, and the sound of toast popping over microwave beeping. These choices might seem trivial, but they paint a picture of our comfort personalities and what soothes our souls in different contexts.
The episode took an interesting turn when discussing comfort activities that we'd never do again. Lisa emphatically rejected camping as a comfort experience after a traumatic outdoor adventure involving less-than-ideal bathroom situations and cold canned beans. This led to a discussion about the spectrum of camping experiences, from roughing it in the wilderness to "glamping" in cabins with modern amenities. The siblings even dreamed about a future family vacation in a cozy cabin during the holidays – a perfect blend of nature and comfort.
At its core, this episode explored not just what brings us comfort, but why these things matter so deeply. In a world full of stress and uncertainty, our comfort items, foods, smells, and spaces provide sanctuary. They connect us to our past, ground us in the present, and offer reliable sources of joy when we need them most. Whether it's the smell of a new book, the taste of homemade soup, or simply the perfect spot on the sofa, these comfort things are far more than indulgences – they're essential components of our emotional wellbeing.
