Permission to Begin Again by Michelle Donice

Life can throw the most unexpected curve balls, leaving us feeling emotionally exhausted, lost, and unsure about the direction of our lives. Whether it's losing a job, a loved one, a relationship, or even a pandemic forcing us to re-evaluate our priorities, the truth is that starting over is never easy. We've all heard the adage, "when one door closes, another one opens," but the truth is that the hallway leading to the next door is often dark and uncertain. Navigating through that hallway requires the courage to take the first step towards beginning again.

It's completely normal to feel sadness, anger, confusion, and even fear when a significant change happens in our lives unexpectedly. It's important to allow time to grieve the loss of what was while acknowledging our emotions and giving ourself permission to feel what we need to feel. We all know that ignoring emotions only leads to further complications and avoidance in the long run. In addition to that, every emotion eventually lands in the body and we pay the price by experiencing dis-ease.

Starting over can feel incredibly overwhelming, but by taking small, actionable steps towards our goals, we'll soon begin to build momentum and gain confidence in ourselves and our abilities. Whether that step is updating a resume, applying for a new job, or even trying something new, every action taken towards our goals will get us closer to our desired outcome.

When life gets tough, it's those around us who have the power to lift us up or bring us down. Being surrounded with positivity and support is crucial when starting over. It's at this time we must lean on friends, family, or even join a community like The North Star that uplifts, inspires, and motivates!

Sometimes, starting over requires reassessing what's truly important in our lives. It's important to take some time to reflect on values, passions, and our gifts! Reprioritizing around these things can give each of us the courage to continue taking those baby steps forward!

It's also important to be kind to ourselves during this time. Starting over is not an overnight process, and it's important to give ourselves grace along the way. We must be patient with ourselves as we continue to navigate towards a new beginning. We must celebrate our wins, no matter how small, and remind ourselves why we started this journey in the first place.

In life, we never really know what's around the corner, and the truth is that sometimes all we can do is take it one step at a time. The willingness to begin again is perhaps one of the most challenging, yet rewarding things we can do. The journey may be long, but the destination is worth it.

Remember, you are not alone and starting over is never a sign of weakness; it's a testament to your strength, resilience, and courage. Don't give up – when one door closes, another one will open, and who knows what incredible opportunities and experiences lie ahead.