This morning, as I did my usual scroll through social media, I came across yet another thread filled with outrage. The topic? People hate the new “Liquid Glass” interface update on iPhone.
Every time a major tech company rolls out a big design change—from phone interfaces to social media layouts—the resistance is immediate, loud, and often quite dramatic. “It’s ugly!” “It’s confusing!” “Bring back the old design!”
And I get it. We are creatures of habit. But this particular complaint got me thinking deeply about change itself.
My Personal Dive into the Deep End
A couple of weeks ago, I made a massive leap, trading in my reliable, pocket-sized iPhone 12 Mini for the brand new iPhone 17.
I knew the difference would be significant. It wasn’t just a new camera; it was a completely different beast, featuring the very same “Liquid Glass” that everyone is now complaining about.
But here’s the interesting part:
I fell into the new interface with ease because I didn’t know anything else.
Since I didn’t have the muscle memory of the iPhone 16’s layout, or the one before it, I didn’t have to unlearn anything. For me, the new design was just… the default. I was forced to engage with it, and in doing so, I discovered how intuitive and powerful it actually is.
The Real Cost of Resistance
This little tech epiphany made me realise just how easy it is to resist change in all areas of our lives—not just on our phones. We cling to the familiar, the comfortable, and the known, even when the known is no longer serving us.
Why do we resist? Because change requires effort. It requires us to feel that momentary awkwardness, that “I don’t know how to do this” feeling, and the fear that the new way might be worse than the old one.
But here is the universal truth:
Change is vital for growth. And without growth, we will always be stuck in the past.
If we never upgrade our “operating system”—whether it’s our career path, a toxic habit, or even our phone’s interface—we stop evolving. We limit our potential to see new perspectives and learn new skills. We stay in the familiar, slowly watching the rest of the world move on.
🚀 It’s Time to Push the Boundaries
The next time you are faced with a change—big or small—instead of instinctively pushing back, try a different approach:
- Go with it: Don’t fight the change; immerse yourself in it. Give it more than a minute to figure out the new layout.
- Explore: Treat it like a new adventure. What are the hidden features or efficiencies you couldn’t see from the outside?
- Push Boundaries: Use the new situation to challenge your previous assumptions about what is possible.
Growth doesn’t happen when we are comfortable. It happens when we are slightly uncomfortable, forcing us to adapt and learn. Whether it’s a major career transition or just figuring out a new phone update, the principle is the same.
So, next time your favourite app or life situation changes, try to embrace the “Liquid Glass” experience. You might just find that the new version of yourself is more capable than the old one.