Our human instinct for self-preservation usually discourages us from venturing into the unknown. We are naturally apprehensive about what lies beyond the bend in the river. The human mind favors the known because it offers stability and security, which are essential for a tranquil existence. Adhering to established routines not only offers convenience but also provides us with predictable outcomes of our existence. As a result, we often subconsciously repeat even harmful behavioral patterns from childhood, as they are familiar, safe, and trigger an unconditional reflex.

However, when we reminisce about our earlier years, we realize that we don’t recall days that blend together in a monotonous rhythm. Instead, we remember moments that deviate from the norm. We most often recall experiences that brought immense joy or great sorrow. Have you ever reconnected with an old classmate and reminisced about mundane routines like “Remember how every day we woke up in the morning, went to school, studied, and had sandwiches during the break?” Unlikely. More often, you’d say, “Do you remember when we went on a class trip and got lost?” or “Recall that difficult exam that most of us failed?”

The acquisition of new knowledge allows us to grow. The world expand far more than our immediate surroundings. If we spend years in the same job, in the same position, with the same people, shopping at the same store, driving the same car, and watching the same TV series every night, our lives become dull and monotonous. We wither and become confined within the gilded cage we’ve constructed for ourselves, trapped in a world of unchanging beliefs and preconceived notions.