December 30, 2024

What Does Starting Over Really Mean

Media has a bad habit of romanticizing the idea of starting over – it's in television shows, books, and even movies. It seems so romantic… the reality is much different. It's complicated and daunting, and yes, it can be transformative, but it also takes a lot of courage, self-reflection, and resilience to navigate it.

At its foundation, starting over means wiping the slate clean to let go of the past, embrace change, and reshape your future. You're redefining yourself to find new meaning so you can build the life you want, one that will align with your values and who you want to be.

It's the courage of letting go

One of the toughest parts of starting over is letting go.

Whether it's a career, dream, identity, or relationship, at some point, you realize it doesn't serve you anymore. That doesn't mean it was insignificant. It doesn't mean it was unimportant. It simply means it’s over.

Instead, you're acknowledging that it belongs to a different part of your story, and you've reached the conclusion of that chapter. Letting go comes with grief because you're not just saying goodbye to the past, you're saying goodbye to the comfort zone and that can be difficult to deal with. That's why it takes courage!

Embrace the unknown

You can't start over if you aren't willing to dive into the unknown; reframing it, however, is an adventure that can help you deal with the fear. It's important to remember that the unknown is where all the opportunities and possibilities are. You have to stop seeing the unknown as a threat to fear and start recognizing it as an opportunity for new beginnings.

Redefine your identity

Starting over is your opportunity to redefine your identity. Who are you? No, who do you want to be? You don't have to abandon everything about yourself. Rather, it's about finding a new sense of self and integrating that. Reflect on your values, which ones do you truly hold dear? Reflect on your wants, what do you truly desire? Buckle up, because this level of honesty and introspection can be tough.

Find new meaning

People often start over after experiencing a significant life event, whether it's a major transition, death, or a breakup. It's typically a life event that leads you to question the purpose of your life. What does it all mean? After the fact, you're a little lost and maybe you feel disoriented. Starting over is the opportunity you need to find new meaning in life. Figure it out and go after it.

Create a new life

Ultimately, the entire point of starting over is to create a new life. A new life that aligns with your core values, your biggest dreams, aspirations, and desires. Creating a new life requires tangible change, and whether it's starting a fresh career, moving to a brand new place, or building new relationships, it involves internal change. You have to confront the limiting beliefs that have held you back for so long and adopt a growth mindset to move forward.

You won't get anywhere if you're not willing to take action.

Hope

Hope is what it all comes down to and when you're starting over, you will need to move forward with hope in your heart. It's what will keep you going when the road gets rocky. It's what will help you believe change is possible and that a better future is within your grasp.

Final Thoughts

Let go, walk into the unknown, and be prepared to challenge yourself on who you really are. In the journey, you're bound to uncover new meaning as you aim to create a life truly reflective of who you are as a person. It might be a challenge, but it will be worth it when you look back on the journey you took.

Starting over isn't about changing everything outside of yourself, it's about the inner transformation that shapes the world around you.

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If you liked this article, check out my Substack Newsletter entry, "Moving On After Loss - 10 Myths And Facts. "