Most people aren’t exactly going to tell people that they’re avoiding risks. But look closely. It’s everywhere, in their little routines & the apps they use, even their backup plans. Here are eleven ways you’re designing life to avoid risk, according to some of our readers. Have you ever noticed these habits in yourself before?
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You auto-renew everything
Subscriptions that just roll on forever are easy. It doesn’t matter if they’re for Netflix or gym passes because you’d rather have it set to charge without a second thought. You never cancel. Why would you? It feels better that you never get the reminder to choose again, as it’s far more predictable this way.
You always buy extended warranties
Whenever you see the little box at checkout that asks about extra coverage, you always make sure to check it. It could be for a new coffee machine. It could be for a new suitcase. Either way, you keep a record of the warranty dates & file this away like homework. You’d rather pay up early so that you’re protected from any surprises.
You only book refundable plans
You plan trips…but not really. Every hotel is refundable & every flight is flexible. You even keep every confirmation email marked as a “maybe,” and you’ll only fully commit to what you’re going to do at the absolute last second. Sure, it’s safer this way. But you also lose a bit of the thrill of the danger, too.
You commute only on streets with right turns
Left turns stress you out, so your route to work or school tends to favor streets with more right turns. And that’s even though your GPS suggests a faster way. But nope, you’ll happily tack on five extra minutes, so long as it means no tricky merges or cross traffic, as your goal doesn’t revolve around speed. You’d rather just feel that nothing can go wrong.
You move within the same neighborhood
Changing apartments is normal. However, never leaving your square mile of comfort is another thing, as it means you only ever visit the same grocery aisles & the same barista. The moving company probably knows your stuff, too. When you finally get to the “new” place, it feels like the old one, just with different walls. This way, that sense of risk is practically non-existent.
You avoid probationary roles and stay put
Sure, career opportunities show up, but when they say “probation period” or “equity pay,” you’re out. It’s safer to stick with the familiar job. At least, you know when your paycheck is coming & you don’t have to deal with new people. As for promotions? They come only when there’s no chance of rocking the boat.
You join group trips with hour-by-hour itineraries
Travel doesn’t feel like an adventure in the traditional sense. It’s more like running on tracks because you stick to tour groups that map out where you’ll eat & when you’ll stop. You don’t even think about detours. There’s no point, in your opinion. You find comfort in knowing exactly what’s coming next, even though you’ll miss whatever’s off the schedule.
You only eat at chain restaurants you know
The second someone suggests a local diner, you pull back & encourage the group toward something familiar. After all, you already know what’s on the menu there. You know how the food tastes. With the familiar restaurant, there’s no chance of undercooked chicken or mystery sauces, so you’d rather stick with them. Gambling with new kitchens? No thanks.
You filter every decision through reviews first
Honestly, there’s no way you’ll just buy or try something. You have to pause & check what everyone else has already said, whether that’s through the Amazon stars or the Yelp comments. You simply have to comb through it all first. And when you see one bad review, that’s enough to push you to something safer because you’d rather not take the risk.
You only stick with hobbies that have certifications
You’re not the kind of person to pick up a random skill, but rather, you sign up for things with certificates & rankings. You’ll do ones with badges attached. Any hobbies that come without measurable steps don’t feel worth the risk of wasted hours. How are you supposed to measure how good you are at it?
You avoid variable-rate loans or credit offers
A financial deal that could change later is an automatic no for you. You’ll pass on adjustable mortgages & credit cards with an introductory rate. Instead, you’d prefer to lock in a fixed number, regardless of whether the payment’s higher, because you can’t put a price on predictability. The idea of payments climbing out of nowhere is way too risky.