Brianna Wiest - The Mountain Is You_ Transforming Self-Sabotage Into Self-Mastery (2020)

THE MOUNTAIN IS YOU
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even if it is good, will feel uncomfortable until it is also
familiar.
Our brain works the opposite way, too, in that whatever is
familiar is what we perceive to be good and comfortable,
even if those behaviors, habits, or relationships are actually
toxic or destructive.
Positive life events can actually trigger depressive episodes.
This happens for a few reasons: First, a spike and then decline
in mood or attitude can exacerbate stress. Second, the
expectation that a positive event will eliminate all stress
and bring unprecedented happiness is a destructive one,
because the event rarely does that. This is why weddings,
childbirth, or a new job can be so incredibly stressful. On
top of being a massive life change, there’s also the silent
assumption that this should be a wholly positive thing,
and anxiety and tension should be eliminated.
It is jarring to discover this isn’t the case.
Overall, it comes down to the simple fact that any accomplishments,
achievements, or life changes, no matter how
positive, elicit change. Change elicits stress. This is particularly
true for those who are already predisposed to anxiety
and depression, because the concept of one’s comfort
zone is absolutely essential to stabilizing their mood. This
is also why those people can often seem overwhelmingly
particular or narrow-minded.