We all have habits, relationships, and beliefs that feel right—but are they really? Just because something is familiar doesn’t mean it still fits. It’s time to rethink what truly brings you comfort and let go of what’s holding you back. Keep reading to find out why those high school jeans (and outdated mindsets) don’t serve you anymore.
Ever pull an old pair of jeans out of the closet—the ones you loved back in high school? The ones that made you feel invincible? You slide them on, expecting that same old feeling… and suddenly, nope. They’re stiff. They don’t fit quite right. The style is outdated. The material, the cut—it’s all different now.
"Just because it fit back then doesn’t mean it fits now—whether it’s your high school jeans or your old way of thinking. Growth means outgrowing. Own it." – Dr. Jude
That, my friends, is the perfect analogy for the difference between comfortable and familiar.
So many of us hold onto habits, people, or beliefs simply because they’re familiar—not because they actually fit us anymore. We convince ourselves that just because something worked once, it still should. But growth means outgrowing. And outgrowing something doesn’t mean it wasn’t once good—it just means it’s no longer right.
That friendship that you keep nurturing out of obligation? Familiar.
That career path you chose when you were 22 that now drains you? Familiar.
That way of handling stress that used to help but now just makes things worse? Familiar.
The Challenge? We Mistake Familiarity for Comfort
Just because something feels like home doesn’t mean it’s healthy. Sometimes, what once supported us now holds us back. And here’s the tricky part—feelings are not statements of facts. Look for the evidence.
Maybe that coping habit that got you through tough times years ago isn’t actually effective anymore. Maybe that relationship that once felt safe is now just familiar, not fulfilling. Maybe the way you’ve always handled stress—by avoiding, overthinking, or numbing—was once survival, but now? It’s just keeping you stuck.
If you find yourself clinging to something just because it’s what you’ve always done, pause.
Ask yourself:
✔ Does this bring me peace or just familiarity?
✔ Does this habit move me forward or keep me stuck?
✔ Am I avoiding change just because it’s easier than facing the unknown?
So, How Do We Move Forward?
Let’s be real—change is uncomfortable. It requires effort. It means stepping away from old coping habits and creating new ones. The key is learning to be intentional about what actually serves us today. Instead of just reacting, we have to ask ourselves if our actions align with the life we actually want.
A great place to start is practicing one simple habit to create calm in the midst of chaos—something intentional, grounding, and actually effective. Appalachian Life Enrichment Counseling Center wrote a fantastic piece on this very concept, offering a practical way to shift from old, reactive habits to a new, proactive mindset. (Read it here).
It’s okay to let go of what no longer serves you. After all, we only know what we know—until we know. And when we know? We do better.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some old jeans to donate.
What’s something you’ve outgrown but held onto for too long? Drop it in the comments. Let’s talk. 👇
Comments