I think there comes a time in all our lives where we feel like we need a fresh start. Whether that’s mentally, physically, geographically – we feel like we need to find ways to begin again and let go of a lot of bullsh*t that’s come before. For some this might be something more minor, like starting a new week without the stress of the previous one. For others, it might be something bigger, like a new job or career.
But whatever it is, it’s universal. Human beings, in all their graces and glory will make mistakes and fuck up and want out and need to, at times, begin again. It might be scary. It might be exciting. But it’s probably always necessary.
Life is always going to be a series of ups and downs, beginnings and endings and a ton of winding roads in between. Very rarely will you find a person who has embarked on a path and reached their goal destination with no detours along the way. That’s life.
So we need to be prepared that, at any time, we might have to begin again.
I’ve felt like that a fair few times in my life. Looking back now, I’ve probably felt it more than I realized at the time, for example:
- Finishing school and college without a plan of what I wanted to do any more
- Experiencing a debilitating anxiety disorder that threw my whole life out of whack
- Accepting failed projects and wondering what next
- Understanding that a chapter of my life was over
Why might we feel like we NEED to begin again?
There are endless reasons why we might feel like we need to begin again in various areas of our lives and with all our lives so vastly different, it’s impossible to cover all basis and find a universal “fix” for all. But some common reasons why you might need to begin again, are:
- A project you’re working on isn’t working or going where you want it to go, so it might be time to move on from it
- You’ve had a really tough week / month / year and need a fresh start and a new mindset
- You’ve not been prioritizing your health or self care and you need to make some changes
- A career or job change is needed, so you need to figure out where to go from where you are
- You’ve lost your sense of purpose and direction and aren’t living intentionally
- You’ve been through a big life change – such as moving house or a death – and need to start afresh
If 2022 has taught me anything so far, it’s that things change (and will change) and there’s no perfect time to do anything. And we shouldn’t ever ignore what’s going on in our lives, we need to be productive.
So if you’re finding yourself in a situation – however big or small – that makes you wonder how to begin again, here are 10 small ways to do that:
Take a bloody deep breath
I posted this quote on my Instagram earlier in the year and I still very much stand by it. Every new exhale is a chance to begin again. So if you’re really overwhelmed with the prospect of beginning again, take a deep breath and start there. This could also be a great time to start practicing mediation to gain more clarity.
Remember that by beginning again, it doesn’t erase the past
A lot of work comes from mindset, when you need to begin again. Starting is often the hardest part mentally. Before you start your journey, remember that beginning again doesn’t erase the past. It doesn’t erase mistakes or failures or even successes you’ve had before. All of those little things are the building blocks to your life and where you’ve ended up – honor them. Don’t be scared of them.
Journal it out
Journaling is an amazing tool when we feel mentally fragile or are feeling frazzled. Grab an old notebook and just write. See what comes out. There will be a lot to process during this time and you might also feel quite isolated, so use your journal as a friend or a therapist and be really honest about yourself and your situation. You might want to consider some journal prompts to help you.
Change your setting
Sometimes the best way to get clarity on something is to change your surroundings. I don’t know about you but if I’m stuck in the same place for too long, I definitely can’t think clearly. So if you’re struggling to manage your situation or what to do next, go for a walk, take yourself on a break, even just change the room you’re in.
Let go of negative self talk around the situation
When you need a fresh start it can be REALLY hard on your mental health to justify. Especially if it’s a negative situation that has brought you there. Negative self talk is inevitable but as long as you’re aware of it and are able to let it go and not hold onto it, then that’s a great start. You might want to consider EFT for stress and anxiety or SRT for limiting beliefs.
Be proactive about it
It’s really important to be proactive at this time, instead of dwelling on what’s happened or worrying about what you’re going to do from here. You’ll figure it out – trust me. Even if it doesn’t seem like it right now. So be proactive, even if that means something small. Consider making some to-do lists, research or getting in contact with people you need to speak to.
And organized
Organization makes EVERYTHING easier. I fully stand by that – as a type A Virgo. But honestly, make lists, have a de-clutter, Spring clean your life (even if it’s not Spring) because now is the perfect time to be doing that. And it’ll make things easier and less stressful in the long run.
Start small and start somewhere
This is the foundation of everything we do. Every project we start, every idea we have, every move we make. We have to start SOMEWHERE. And even if that starting somewhere is only something tiny, it’s still a start and still needs to be celebrated.
Focus on the present
I think this point is an accumulation of all of the above because before you move on and begin again, you need to focus on your present – the here and now. Assess your situation, make lists, journal, focus on the things you can control and start small but start somewhere.
Embrace self care
And finally, embracing self care is a must in EVERY situation. I mean that. Beginning again can be stressful and scary – even if it is a positive thing. So don’t neglect yourself during this time. Make sure you’re embracing self care in whichever way you need to. Here are some posts which might help:
- 50+ Amazing Self Care Goals To Improve Your Life
- Unusual Self Care Ideas To Try If You’re Bored of Candles & Baths
- 30 Self Care Ideas in 10 Minutes or Less
- Things To Do For Self Care That Fit Effortlessly Into Your Day
Learning how to begin again is hard in any situation. So give yourself credit for how you’re coping (even if you feel like you’re not) and how far you’ve come. Change isn’t easy for any of us but it IS inevitable and something we’ll all have to face at some point. But remember, just because it’s scary, doesn’t mean that beginning again won’t be the best thing you ever do.