Sometimes It’s Okay to Begin Again

You know, there’s such a negative connotation attached to the phrase “starting over”. When we hear this expression, we often associate it with a lack of focus, discipline, and being unmotivated. Sometimes the phrase is associated with the term failure, but I would like to debunk some of these beliefs.

I have lost track of how many times I’ve had to begin again in multiple areas of my life. Most times, unintentionally, other times very intentionally, with hobbies, education, work, or just life in general, you simply begin again.

At certain moments in my life, I have been labeled as unserious, unmotivated, undisciplined, or, some might even say, an “all over the place” type person, despite not even knowing me. Although I knew in my heart that these assumptions were untrue, I was someone who took others’ unwarranted criticism to heart when it came to the direction of my life’s path, but as I’ve learned to reflect and embrace my journey. I accept that what other people think about me does not determine my path. This is my journey, no one else’s.

I wasn’t always someone who would let go of things easily to start again because the perfectionist in me always wanted to see things through. But with life comes experience, and with experience comes wisdom. You choose to learn when the best time is to let go and start again.

Sometimes the best thing to do is to simply reset and restart. This doesn’t make you a failure or an unserious person; rather, it makes you mindful and connected to your journey.

There are millions of people living extremely unfulfilling lives because they have been taught to “pull themselves up by their bootstraps”, because that’s just the way things are. I am not promoting you neglecting your responsibilities; however, I am encouraging you to embrace your life’s path and the desires placed in your heart by the divine creator. Sometimes the lessons on the path we’re on have been fulfilled; other times, the path simply doesn’t align anymore, but you hang on to familiarity because it comforts you. You convince yourself that the known has always been safer than the unknown, and I don’t think a lot of people say this enough, but it is okay! There is beauty in beginning again.

When things are an improper fit, it is okay to start anew. When you strive to create a specific outcome, especially based on social standards of what a fulfilling and successful life should look like, you are often left more frustrated about your current circumstances. It is like two magnets of the same end trying to come together; there is resistance.

When you find yourself making an important decision about your life, and you begin to heavily consider the judgments of others, you are at risk of losing the ability to cultivate that beautiful and fulfilling life you desire.

I am not communicating this like it’s easy. Trust me, I know it is not easy; I have lived through it my whole life. No one wants to feel the pressure or judgment from friends, family, or strangers on the internet, but hiding your true self and desires almost always leads to long-term disappointment and sadness, and honestly, you deserve better.

When I look at everything, I have been through in life, I always tell myself I deserve the very best, not just to be a diva but because I actually do.

So whatever decisions you make about your life are the decisions you have to carry for however long you’ve decided.

Cultivate the ability to restart for however long it takes until you feel aligned with your path. Personally, when I built the confidence to embrace new beginnings, no matter how ridiculous I looked to the outside world, it became one of the most freeing experiences for me. You release others’ expectations. You live, breathe, and create better. It never really makes sense to people at first, but it almost usually does. Eventually.

You’ll often think about the “wasted years” or the time and effort spent putting into things, people, places, or projects in your lives that ought to have generated a specific outcome. Or maybe did but somewhere along the line became unfulfilling. Sometimes the outcome that is meant for us isn’t on the path we are on.  It’s like driving on a road hoping to see your favorite store, but you never do, because you are on the wrong road.

In my last post, I discussed embracing changes when you do not feel ready. I talked about how change might be unexpected and how unprepared it might make one feel. We can apply that to this concept when talking about a healthy reset. Starting over might seem scary, but regardless of whether you start today or tomorrow, the fear will still be present.

Gems, just in case no one told you today, I think you are beautiful, and I love you.

With Love,

MO