tyranny of the new

Some new stuff I like, some new stuff I don't like. 

That's true for for most people. New doesn't always mean better, but it does almost always mean different.

New music from your favorite artist? Like.

New food allergy? Don't like.

New, free shirt? We like.

New, free haircut? We might not like.

New life path? We might like.

New anxieties that come with new life path? We might not like.

New razor for shaving? We like.

New skin scrapes because we got used to our dull razor? We don't like.

 

Starting college? We like.

Figuring out new routine, starting new friendships, battling loneliness? We don't like.

No one says their first year of high school is the best. No one says the first weeks at a new job are the best. No couple says their first year of marriage is the best. No one says the first days of adopting a new pet are the best. No one says the first few days of a new workout are the best days. 

 

Quite the opposite. 

The social inertia of keeping up appearances wants you (and I) to pretend that 'new' is only awesome.

But let's be real:

'NEW' can feel wearying. 

 

'NEW' often includes feeling achingly lonely. 'NEW' will leave us feeling behind the curve a lot of times. 

 

'NEW' will interfere with a decent night's sleep. 'NEW' will cause us to doubt we belong. 'NEW' will make us miss what's familiar. 'NEW' could cause a panic attack or two.

 

'NEW' will feel constricting at times. 'NEW' will tempt us to compare what we feel inside to how others appear on their outsides. 

So, let's remember this: we do like (some) new, but we always like new stuff more once we're more used to it.

 

If you're in a new season, know that it takes time. So give it time.