How many times have we tried to fit into jeans that we can no longer fit? No matter how much we jump up and down, squeeze, or promise ourselves we’ll lose a little weight, the jeans just don’t fit anymore. We get so caught up on the number on the tag — telling ourselves, “I can’t need another size. I’m a size this. I’m a size that.” But guess what? Sometimes it’s just time to go a size up.

Here’s the thing though — studies have shown that if you compare the same size across different brands, you’ll often find a huge difference. A size 12 in one brand is not always the same as a size 12 in another, and the same goes for a 14, a 16, an 8, or a 0. We get so hung up on the size we think we are that we don’t recognize how much more space, comfort, and capacity there is waiting for us when we let ourselves grow. And when we finally do go up a size, we realize, “Oh, this feels good. This is comfortable. This actually fits.” But we would’ve never known that if we kept trying to squeeze into what no longer fit.

Now y’all know by now — I’m not just talking about jeans. I’m talking about our capacity as people. I’m talking about how we try to force this new version of ourselves into old spaces. Those old spaces might have felt like home. They might hold beautiful memories, relationships, and moments that shaped us. But sometimes, it’s simply time to say, “Thank you for what this season gave me, but I’m being called to something greater.” Nostalgia is beautiful, but it can only be nostalgia once we’ve moved on. It can’t be nostalgia if we’re still living in it.

We have to challenge ourselves to dig deeper, dream bigger, and stretch farther. We have to make sure we’re not trying to fit into places that no longer fit who we are becoming. And let’s be honest — we know when something doesn’t fit anymore. We start to feel squeezed. We start to feel uncomfortable or even claustrophobic. Our spirit feels uneasy. We go places that used to bring joy, and suddenly, something feels off. Maybe we find ourselves thinking, “I don’t really want to be here anymore. I don’t want to drink this much. I don’t want to talk about the same things. I don’t want to participate in this anymore.” That feeling isn’t rejection — it’s growth.

We are meant to evolve, expand, and outgrow certain things. Yes, it takes a leap of faith. Yes, it can feel lonely, uncertain, or uncomfortable for a while. But remember, God promised never to leave you or forsake you. I saw a quote recently that said, “The fear of doing something new is only because it’s new — not because you can’t do it.” That stuck with me because so often, when we step into unfamiliar territory, we mistake fear for a sign that we’re not qualified. But can I remind you of something? God calls the unqualified, and then He qualifies them. Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. You are the head and not the tail, above and not beneath, and you are never walking alone. The Spirit of God lives within you — guiding every step, lighting every path.

So as you move into your next size up, know this: you’re not losing anything — you’re making room for what’s next. You’re leveling up your space, your circle, and your purpose. You’re betting on yourself and trusting that with God by your side, you cannot lose. Don’t be afraid to say, “This doesn’t fit me anymore.” Don’t be afraid to pull back, step away, or walk into your next season. You’ve got this.

So go ahead and fold those old jeans. Keep the memories, keep the joy, keep the lessons, but put them to the side and make room for what’s ahead. The next size up will fit the new you — and when that one starts to feel tight, don’t be afraid to grow again. God will be right there with you, guiding you into the next season He’s already prepared.