Embrace Familiarity: Why the Known Devil is Better

Life is full of uncertainties, and most of us strive to avoid everything unfamiliar. Familiarity provides a sense of comfort, a source of assurance, and a shield against the unknown. We embrace familiarity and the things we know, the known devil, as a way to cope with uncertainty. The phrase “the devil you know is better than the devil you don’t know” is a common one, and it’s not hard to see why.

Certainly, it’s not always true that familiar and known things are better than new and unfamiliar ones. There are times when we must step out of our comfort zones to try new things and face challenges. But it’s also true that familiarity is important in many aspects of our lives. From daily routines to relationships, familiar things bring a sense of stability and security, and often, can even be better than the unknown alternatives.

Here are some reasons why embracing familiarity is crucial for our well-being and success.

Familiarity Brings Comfort and Safety in Routine

Humans are creatures of habit, and there is something comforting about knowing what to expect next. Having a routine provides order and structure to our daily lives and can help reduce anxiety and stress levels. When we know what to expect from our day, we can have a sense of control, which makes us feel more comfortable.

Our daily routines can vary based on our preferences, but they often include things like waking up at a certain time, having our favorite breakfast, and heading to work. Routines can help us save time and allow us to get more done in our day since repeating an activity means we get better and more efficient at it over time.

Lack of familiarity, on the other hand, can lead to stress and unease, especially if you’re someone who likes to be in control. When faced with a new environment or a new situation that we’re not familiar with, we may feel unsettled and anxious. This is because we don’t know what to expect, and our brain struggles to process new information.

Therefore, embracing familiarity in routine can provide comfort and help us manage stress levels, which is essential for our mental and physical well-being.

Familiarity Brings a Sense of Security

In addition to comfort, familiarity provides us with a sense of security. When we surround ourselves with familiar things, we feel safe and secure. This is why we often prefer to stick to our tried-and-true methods and routines. Although change can be exciting, it can also be scary, especially when we don’t know what the outcome will be.

For example, imagine you’re driving a car and suddenly the brakes stop working. In that moment, you may feel scared and unsure of what to do. However, if you’re driving a car that you’re familiar with, you may know exactly where the emergency brake is and be able to stop the car safely. This is because you know the car’s capabilities, and you have experience with it.

The same principle applies in other areas of life. When we know something well, we are better equipped to deal with unexpected situations that might arise. We feel more secure, and this sense of security can help us feel more confident and resilient in the face of adversity.

It’s Easier to Build Trust with Familiar People

Building trust is an essential part of our relationships, be it personal or professional. We trust those who we have a history with, and those who we are familiar with. People who we have known for a long time, or those who we interact with on a regular basis, have earned our trust simply by their consistency. We know what to expect from them and how they will act and react in various situations.

In contrast, when we meet someone new, we have to build trust from scratch. It takes time and effort to get to know a person, and even then, we may not fully trust them until they have demonstrated their trustworthiness over time.

In professional relationships, such as a boss or a colleague, building trust is essential for effective collaboration and job satisfaction. When we trust our colleagues and superiors, we feel more comfortable sharing ideas, asking for help, and working together as a team. When we don’t trust those we work with, it can lead to conflict, poor communication, and ultimately impact the success of the project or organization.

In personal relationships, it’s even more critical to build trust. Intimacy and emotional vulnerability require trust, and it’s easier to be open and vulnerable with someone who we have a history with. Trust in personal relationships takes time and effort to build, but it can make all the difference when it comes to deepening connections with others and building lifelong relationships.

Familiarity Helps Us Make Better Decisions

When it comes to decision-making, familiarity can help us make better choices. When we face a decision, we often turn to familiar options because they have a track record of success or have worked well for us in the past. This is known as the “status quo” bias, where we prefer the current state of affairs over something new and unfamiliar.

Sometimes, going with what we know can be a smart choice. For example, if you’re ordering food from a restaurant, and you’re unsure what to choose, you may opt for your favorite dish. You know it’s delicious, and you’re unlikely to be disappointed.

On the other hand, if you’re considering a more significant decision, such as starting a new job or moving to a new city, then it’s essential to consider other options and weigh the pros and cons. But even in this situation, familiarity can play a role. You may consider factors such as the familiarity of the area or platform, the availability of amenities, and the presence of friends and family members in the area. These factors can help you make a more informed decision.

Familiarity Helps in Developing Expertise

One of the top benefits of familiarity is the development of expertise. When we have experience with something, we become more skilled at it, and our performance improves. This is true for many areas of life, from cooking to coding to public speaking.

Take a musician, for example. The more they practice a particular song or instrument, the more familiar they become with it. This familiarity makes it easier for them to play the instrument, and they become better at it over time. Similarly, a chef who has cooked a particular dish many times can make it with more ease and consistency, making them an expert in that dish.

This principle applies in the workplace, too. When we work in a particular industry or field for an extended period, we become more knowledgeable and experienced in it, making us experts in that field. This expertise can lead to job security, job satisfaction, and even promotions.

Final Thoughts

Familiarity can provide comfort, security, and expertise in various aspects of our lives, from routines to relationships to decision-making. It’s not always the case that the known devil is better than the unknown one, but familiarity is essential for our well-being and success.

By embracing familiarity, we can manage stress better, feel more secure in our surroundings, build trust with others, make better decisions, and even develop expertise in our field. Therefore, it’s important to value and cultivate familiarity in our lives, both professionally and personally.