You Have the Courage to Begin Again

Take a Deep Breath. Pick Yourself Up, Dust Yourself Off and Start Again.

Life has a way of throwing curveballs that can knock us off course, whether it’s a career setback, a relationship ending, or a personal loss. In those moments, it might feel like the world is crumbling around us. But here’s the truth: You have the courage to begin again.

“A fresh start. A new chapter in life waiting to be written. New questions to be asked, embraced, and loved. Answers to be discovered and then lived in this transformative year of delight and self-discovery.” — Sarah Ban Breathnach

Starting over isn’t about erasing the past; it’s about learning from it and moving forward with newfound wisdom and strength. Each ending, no matter how painful, is a chance for a fresh start, a blank slate where you can rewrite your story.

I have had to begin again so many times that I have lost count. I am a habitual restarter ;D

Beginning again requires courage, admittedly, perseverance, and the belief that you can succeed, even if the path is steep and uncertain.

Sarah had always been a high achiever. After graduating from a top university, she quickly climbed the corporate ladder, landing a lucrative position at a major marketing firm. For years, her life was a blur of meetings, deadlines, and business trips. She was living what many would call the dream, but deep down, Sarah felt unfulfilled.

One fateful Friday, her company announced a series of layoffs due to restructuring. Sarah found herself among those let go. It was a crushing blow. She had dedicated over a decade of her life to the company, sacrificing personal time and pouring all her energy into her work. Now, she was left with a severance package and an overwhelming sense of uncertainty.

In the weeks that followed, Sarah grappled with feelings of worthlessness and fear about the future. She spent countless hours updating her resume, applying for jobs, and attending interviews, but nothing seemed to click. One evening, while cleaning out her closet, she stumbled upon an old notebook filled with recipes and culinary ideas she had jotted down over the years. Cooking had always been her passion, but it had taken a backseat to her demanding career.

Inspired by her rediscovery, Sarah decided to take a bold step. She enrolled in a prestigious culinary school, something she had dreamed of but never pursued. At first, the transition was daunting. She was surrounded by younger students and faced the challenge of learning new skills from scratch. However, Sarah’s determination and love for cooking kept her motivated.

Over the next year, she honed her culinary skills, experimenting with flavours, techniques, and presentation. She embraced the creative freedom that dooking offered, a stark contrast to her rigid corporate life. Upon graduating, Sarah didn’t rush into job applications. Instead, she spent time travelling, experiencing different cuisines, and gathering inspiration.

It was around this time that she attended a walking retreat here at my little farm in the south of France. She walked the Camino de Santiago de Compostela every day, getting her ideas in order, and in the evenings we chatted. We went to the Eauze fresh food farmers’ market and ate out in a local restaurant, so that Sarah could try some of the local delicacies: if I remember correctly, she had perfectly grilled magret de canard, with frites fried in duck fat, followed by a cracklingly fresh-from-the-oven croustade, with thick cream, washed down by a chilled Cotes de Gascogne rosé.

Sarah returned home with a clear vision. She wanted to open a restaurant that combined her marketing expertise with her passion for cooking. She worked tirelessly on her business plan, secured funding, and found a charming location for her restaurant. She named it “Sinful Bites,” reflecting her journey of rediscovery and the heartwarming dishes she created.

The opening night of Sinful Bites was a resounding success. The restaurant quickly gained a loyal following, and was praised for its innovative menu and warm, inviting atmosphere. For Sarah, the greatest reward was seeing her customers’ delighted smiles and knowing she was adding a piece of her soul to each dish.

Sarah learned that it’s never too late to follow your dreams. Ner story reminded me, yet again, that starting over is not just possible, but it can lead to unexpected and fulfilling new chapters in life. It takes immense courage to step into the unknown, but within you lies the strength to embrace change and create a brighter future.

So, if you find yourself at a crossroads, unsure of where to turn, remember that you have the power to start anew. Trust yourself, believe in your potential, and take that first step. You have the courage to begin again.

To help you marshall your courage, I include 5 journal prompts:

Journal Prompt 1: Reflect on Past Resilience
Think back to a time in your life when you faced a significant challenge or crisis. Describe the situation in detail. How did you feel at the time? What steps did you take to overcome this challenge? Reflect on the strengths, skills, and resources you used. How can you apply these strengths to your current situation?

Journal Prompt 2: Visualise Your Ideal Future
Imagine your life five years from now, if you had the courage to start over today. Describe in vivid detail what your ideal life looks like. What are you doing? How do you feel? Who is with you? What happens on a typical day in your new life? What steps can you take now to move toward this future?

Journal Prompt 3: Identify Limiting Beliefs
Write down any fears, doubts, or limiting habits and beliefs that are holding you back from starting over. Be as honest and specific as possible. Where do these beliefs come from? Are they based on facts or assumptions? Challenge each belief by writing down evidence that contradicts it. How can you reframe these beliefs in a more empowering way?

Journal Prompt 4: Explore Your Values
List your top five values. Reflect on how these values align (or don’t align) with your current life. How can starting over help you live more authentically according to your values? Describe specific ways you can incorporate these elements into your new beginning.

Journal Prompt 5: Create an Action Plan
Break down your goal of starting over into smaller, manageable steps. What is the first step you need to take? What resources, support, or information do you need? Set a timeline for each step and identify potential obstacles and solutions. How will you keep yourself motivated and accountable? Write a detailed action plan and commit to taking the first step today.

“Starting over is an acceptance of a past we can’t change, an unrelenting conviction that the future can be different, and the stubborn wisdom to use the past to make the future what the past was not.” ― Craig D. Lounsbrough

In addition to the transformational retreats that I host at my little French farm near Bordeaux, I have also created a couple of online courses, ex. Break Free from Uncertainty and Get Going in a New Direction – each course is available with or without one-to-one coaching. To receive notification of last-minute and early-bird specials on all of the above, I invite you to subscribe to my Savoir Vivre Vignettes newsletter which gives immediate access to my free  How to Survive a Life Quake e-course.