Breaking Free from Comfort: How One Bold Challenge a Year Can Transform Your Life

Bushcraft Survival Australia

As Australians welcome a new year, many are once again setting New Year’s resolutions — to get fitter, reduce stress, spend less time on screens, or “do things differently” this time around. Yet by February, most resolutions fall away, often because staying in our comfort zone feels easier than real change.

In a world designed for convenience, comfort has become our default setting. We live in temperature-controlled housing, we rarely walk more than a few steps without transport, our phones answer every question instantly, and stress can often mean waiting too long for our morning coffee. Yet, this very ease is leaving us unprepared for life’s real challenges.

According to Gordon Dedman, founder of Bushcraft Survival Australia, military survival instructor and survival consultant for Alone Australia, this way of living has fuelled what’s known as the “comfort crisis” — a term popularised by author and journalist Michael Easter in his book The Comfort Crisis.

Dedman believes true growth comes from leaning into discomfort - and nothing embodies that more than the ancient concept of the Misogi challenge.

“Modern life rarely asks us to push past our limits,” says Dedman. “But when we deliberately step into the unknown - whether it’s through Bushcraft Survival training, running a marathon, or a personal Misogi challenge - we discover resilience, clarity, and confidence we didn’t know we had.”

The idea of Misogi originates from a Japanese tradition of purification and renewal. Today, it’s been reframed as an annual practice of tackling one seemingly impossible challenge.

Bushcraft Survival Australia

“Your Misogi should be something with a 50/50 chance of success - big enough and hard enough to scare you without dying, but achievable with commitment,” Dedman explains. “For some, it could be challenging solo hike in the wilderness. For others, it might be a complete digital detox or learning a survival skill completely outside their comfort zone.”

Dedman, who teaches Australians how to reconnect with nature through bushcraft and survival training, says the benefits extend far beyond the challenge itself. Participants emerge with a stronger sense of purpose, resilience in the face of uncertainty, and the ability to handle everyday stresses with more ease.

Bushcraft Survival Australia has launched its 2026 immersive courses for adults, children, and schools across the country, giving participants the chance to step away from screens and reconnect with the natural world. From modern outdoor techniques to full wilderness self-reliance, these hands-on programs are designed for all skill levels, offering real challenges - and real growth - in a supportive environment.

“Discomfort is where the magic happens,” Dedman says. “When you commit to one big challenge a year, you build strength that carries into every area of your life.” You can find more details about Bushcraft Survival Australia’s 2026 courses here and the full calendar is here.

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