Let’s Begin, Again
If you're anything like me, you’ve spent the first week of the new year reflecting on the past and dreaming, hoping, and wondering about what lies ahead. Maybe you’ve outlined your goals on a vision board, jotted them down in the notes app on your iPhone, or made quiet mental notes about things you hope will change this year. New beginnings often shift us into a fresh chapter—a season where we’re reminded that, despite life’s chaos, there are things we can control and change.
Or maybe you’re still recovering from the challenges of last year. Perhaps you’ve vowed not to lose yourself the way you did before. Anxiety, depression, parenting, relationships—or even breakups—might have taken their toll, and now you’re determined to rediscover yourself and never let go of her again.
Maybe you’ve reflected on your healing journey and the progress (or lack thereof) you’ve made, and now you’re ready to switch gears. Wherever you are in this moment, I want you to know: it’s okay to begin again.
Life isn’t linear. Healing, success, relationships, parenting—none of them follow a straight path. They ebb and flow. The fact that you’ve made it this far shows your strength and resilience. Yes, there may be regrets, suffering, grief, and sadness. But before you get caught up in fixing everything that feels broken, let me remind you: you are not a never-ending construction project.
You can begin again, but do so with the understanding that you are already whole, already full, already complete—just as you are, right now. You are enough.
Once you’ve taken the time to reflect, it’s natural to start thinking about what’s next. Are there things you want to change about yourself and your life? Of course! Maybe you want to make more money, launch a new project, meditate more, become a better communicator, read more books, hit the gym consistently, or improve your time management. You’re not alone. We’re all striving to grow and evolve into the best versions of ourselves.
But here’s the truth—you can’t become that future version of you by beating up on your current self or resenting your past self. Growth doesn’t come from criticism; it comes from compassion. You still have time to leave behind the non-self-compassionate, hypercritical, perfectionistic version of yourself in 2024. It’s not too late.
As you work toward a better you in 2025, do it intentionally—with love and kindness toward yourself. True, lasting change happens when we love ourselves enough to stay committed to the process. Don’t fall in love with the idea of the outcome more than you love yourself. And don’t love it more than you trust the process.
Becoming the best version of you takes time. You can’t rush it—it’s like a slow-cooked meal. Put it in the crockpot, let it simmer, and allow it to become what it needs to be. But while you’re cooking up something new for your life, don’t let self-doubt, anxious thoughts, or lingering memories of the past rob you of the joy of the present.
Begin again—gracefully, lovingly, and with intention. You’ve got this.