You wake up on a Sunday morning.
Do you head straight to your favourite café, order the same cappuccino, and sit by the window in “your” spot? Or do you try that new coffee shop across town, the one with strange artwork on the walls and a menu you’ve never seen before?
This simple choice — routine vs. novelty — says more about your well-being than you might think.
For decades, psychologists have asked a big question: What really makes us feel good about our lives?
Some argue that comfort and routine bring us well-being. Familiar places, reliable habits, and predictable routines give us stability and security.
Others argue that novelty and adventure are the secret. Trying new things, breaking habits, and experimenting make life meaningful and exciting.
It sounds like an either/or. But is it really?
The Study Behind the Question
Do people who stick to comfortable behaviours feel happier than those who experiment?
Or does novelty actually boost life satisfaction more than routine?
The results weren’t black and white. In fact, they revealed something much more interesting.
People who leaned towards comfortable behaviours — sticking to familiar routines, repeating enjoyable activities — often reported a sense of stability and security. Comfort gave them a steady baseline of well-being.
People who leaned towards experimental behaviours — trying new experiences, seeking challenges, embracing change — often reported higher levels of growth, engagement, and meaning in life. Novelty made life feel exciting and purposeful.
In other words: both comfort and experimentation matter, but they contribute to well-being in different ways.
Think about your own life.
Do you feel happiest when things are steady and predictable?
Or do you crave adventure, new experiences, and the thrill of the unknown?
Chances are, you need a little of both.
Comfort gives us roots. Novelty gives us wings. Together, they create balance.
The Sunday Morning Test
Comfort-driven Sunday: You grab the same coffee, sit in the same seat, read the same newspaper. You feel grounded, safe, and cosy.
Novelty-driven Sunday: You wander into a new café, order something strange, and chat with someone you’ve never met. You feel curious, alive, maybe even inspired.
Neither is “better.” But if you do only one and ignore the other, you might be missing out.
How to Apply This in Daily Life
Here are three easy ways to mix comfort and novelty into your routine:
1. Keep Anchors
Have a few habits that don’t change — like a morning ritual, a weekly call with a friend, or your go-to exercise. These create stability.
2. Add Sprinkles of Newness
Try something small but different — a new walking route, a different recipe, a book outside your usual genre. These spark growth.
3. Notice What You Need Today
Ask yourself: Am I craving safety or excitement? Let your answer guide your choices. Some days you’ll need comfort. Other days, novelty.
We often swing to extremes. Some people live on autopilot, never leaving their comfort zones. Others chase constant novelty, scrolling, travelling, consuming — but never slowing down.
What this research reminds us is simple: well-being is not about choosing one style of living. It’s about knowing when to rest in comfort and when to step into the unknown.
So, next Sunday, when you’re deciding where to have your coffee, pause for a moment. Ask yourself:
Do I need comfort today?
Or do I need something new?
Both choices can lead you to well-being. The art of life is knowing which door to open — and when.
🔗 Based on: Which way to well-being: More of the same or trying something novel?