Releasing the familiar
- Amy Loflin
- Jan 5
- 1 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
I received a new Apple Watch for Christmas this year. It was meant to replace the one I’d been wearing for nearly eight years. My old watch had been giving me warning signs for a while. It wasn’t charging fully, and sometimes it didn’t want to power on. It was clearly nearing the end of its usefulness.
And yet, after opening the new one, I kept reaching for the old watch instead. It was familiar. Comfortable. Known. Even though it wasn’t really serving me anymore, it felt easier to keep wearing what I already understood than to step into something new and unfamiliar.
It struck me how often this is what stepping into a new year feels like. Even when the old rhythms, patterns, or ways of thinking are no longer working, letting go can feel unsettling. Familiar doesn’t always mean healthy, and can offer a false sense of security. And sometimes the hardest part of beginning something new is simply releasing what we’ve grown accustomed to carrying.
Reflections
As you step into this new year, what might you need to release, even if it feels familiar or comfortable?
What is one thing that is bringing you hope as you look into 2026?
“The unknown is not something to fear. It is where God does His best work.” — Emily P. Freeman
Ready for more?
Check out this free printable guide called Aligned: Daily Practices for Peace and Connection, designed to help you begin and end your day grounded in God’s presence through simple morning and evening reflections. We hope it serves you well as you walk through life.
