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Sasna Nawran (she/her/hers), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer


Life is a balancing act. We all want to stay safe and secure, but we also crave excitement, adventure and a sense of fulfilment. 

The tricky part is figuring out where to draw the line between self-preservation and living a boring, sheltered life. It’s a dilemma that many of us face, whether we realize it or not. 

Let’s dive into this topic and see if we can find that sweet spot where safety meets satisfaction.

What is Self-Preservation?

Self-preservation is our natural instinct to protect ourselves from harm. It’s what keeps us from doing reckless things like jumping off cliffs or driving at breakneck speeds. 

This instinct is crucial for our survival. It tells us to wear seatbelts, to avoid dark alleys at night and to look both ways before crossing the street. In short, self-preservation is about making choices that keep us safe and healthy.

But sometimes, this instinct can go overboard. If we’re too focused on avoiding risks, we might end up avoiding life itself. We might skip out on new experiences, shy away from challenges and miss opportunities for growth and happiness. That’s where the concept of a boring, sheltered life comes in.

The Sheltered Life

Living a sheltered life means sticking to what’s familiar and comfortable. It means avoiding risks, steering clear of the unknown and staying within our comfort zones. 

On the surface, this might seem like a good strategy. After all, if we never take risks, we never get hurt, right?

Well, not quite. While avoiding risks can keep us physically safe, it can also lead to a life that feels monotonous and unfulfilling. 

Imagine a life where every day is the same: same routine, same faces, same places. There’s no excitement, no surprises, no growth. Over time, this kind of life can leave us feeling stuck, unsatisfied and even regretful.

Finding the Balance

So, how do we find the balance between self-preservation and living a full, exciting life? It starts with recognizing that not all risks are created equal. 

Some risks are worth taking, while others are best avoided. The key is to differentiate between the two and make informed decisions.

How would you do that? Below are some simple tips.

Evaluate the Risk: Before jumping into something new, take a moment to assess the risk. Is it a calculated risk or is it something that could cause serious harm? 

For example, trying a new hobby or traveling to a new place can be rewarding and relatively low-risk. On the other hand, engaging in dangerous activities without proper preparation can be harmful.

Step Out of Your Comfort Zone: Growth happens outside of our comfort zones. Challenge yourself to try new things, even if they seem a bit intimidating at first. 

This could be as simple as taking a different route to work, trying a new cuisine or signing up for a class. The more you step out of your comfort zone, the more confident and resilient you’ll become.

Set Realistic Goals: Setting goals can help you push yourself without going too far. Start with small, achievable goals and gradually work your way up to bigger challenges. 

This way, you can build your confidence and skills incrementally, reducing the risk of feeling overwhelmed or discouraged.

Learn from Failure: Failure is a natural part of life. Instead of letting it deter you, use it as a learning opportunity. 

Each failure teaches us something valuable and helps us grow stronger. Embrace failure as part of the journey rather than a reason to stop trying.

Seek Balance: Balance is the key to a fulfilling life. It’s okay to have days when you play it safe and days when you take a leap of faith. 

Listen to your intuition and find a rhythm that works for you. Some days you might feel like pushing your limits, while other days you might need to recharge and take it easy.

Embrace your Life 

Ultimately, the goal is to live a life that feels rich and meaningful. This means embracing both safety and adventure, knowing when to hold back and when to push forward. It’s about making choices that protect us without confining us.

Remember, life is short. We don’t want to look back and realize we missed out on amazing experiences because we were too afraid to take a chance. At the same time, we don’t want to endanger ourselves unnecessarily. It’s a delicate balance, but it’s one that’s worth striving for.

So, go ahead and take that trip, start that project or have that conversation you’ve been avoiding. Live fully, but wisely. Protect yourself, but don’t hold yourself back. Find that thin line, walk it with confidence and make the most of every moment. 

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