If you traveled over the holidays did you say to yourself, “I just sleep better in my own bed”? I know I say that sometimes, especially when I have been moving from place to place.

But what happens when you have to get a new bed?

Right after Christmas, I ordered my first new bed in 17 years. I loved my old bed – it was a Sealy pillowtop, and I loved falling into it at the end of a long day. But in October, it started creaking every time I turned, so I knew the box springs were shot. It was time. I struggled with the idea, though. I really, really loved my bed. I hated to give it up. It had given me comfort, support, and happiness. Sigh.

My new bed was delivered right after Christmas. I thought, hey, this is great! This bed is bigger and firmer. It doesn’t make creaking sounds. It seems to be pretty comfortable.

Then I spent the first night in it. I woke up several times, tossing and turning. What bed is this? I thought every time I woke up. Where am I?

I finally woke up for good around 5:00 am and sat in the new bed thinking, what in the world happened last night? I usually sleep through the night easily. What was it that kept waking me up?

I realized that it was the change that had kept me from sleeping soundly, even though it was a change for the better. Funny, isn’t it? We get so used to the circumstances of our lives that when something changes, we feel off-kilter. Maybe that’s why New Year’s resolutions are so difficult to maintain. We know there are things we need to change for our own good, but we get so accustomed to the daily routine we have fashioned for ourselves. It is uncomfortable to create a new exercise plan, a diet that limits sugar, or a work schedule that isn’t swallowing up everything in its path, even when we know that doing so will improve the quality of our lives in immeasurable ways. We know we need to replace our “old bed,” but we resist because it means change.

So now I have had the new bed for a while, and I really like it. I am sleeping through the night again, and I wake up refreshed. It has inspired me to look at other areas of my life where I need to make changes.

In this new year, do you have an “old bed” that you are willing to replace?