“I can’t take back the past, but I can fight for the future.”
– Shannon A. Thompson
Have you ever felt nervous or scared about starting something new or starting over at something ? If so, what part of the situation scares you the most? Is it the possibility of failure? The unknown? The fear of what others may think? What if instead of allowing that fear to hold you back, you instead pushed forward anyway? What if, it’s your ability to push forward despite the fear you feel, that gets you to the place you’ve been dreaming of?
It takes a lot of courage to begin again when you’ve failed at something or life didn’t go the way you expected. But starting over can give you the opportunity to truly build what you really want to see. The great thing about starting over is that you’re starting from a place of experience rather than starting from scratch. Being in that place gives you an advantage because you understand what works and what needs to be adjusted. Don’t be afraid to start again! If you’re not satisfied with your life start where you are, make a plan and fight for your future.
I remember during my sophomore year of college I had gotten to the place where I was unhappy with the major I chose. I was majoring in education middle school math and science. After a while of taking classes and getting a feel of what the career would look like, I was not excited to continue on the same path. I knew that what I wanted to do involved some sort of teaching but not in a classroom setting. Just the thought of starting all over again and choosing another major terrified me because I didn’t want to have to extend my years of being in college. I had to make a decision between staying the course or starting again with something completely new. After talking with an advisor I had a better understanding of what I really wanted to do and I chose to take the risk of starting over again.
The great thing about starting over was I didn’t have to completely start from scratch. All my basic classes were done and I only added one extra semester to my college years. Not bad when you’re majoring in something that you are really passionate about. I started the new year majoring in Family and Consumer Sciences with a concentration in family studies. I even took an extra leap of faith with transferring to another college. In the beginning I was so afraid and just thinking about doing all that I did was terrifying. Looking back I’m so glad I stepped out and started again taking the risk was worth it.
Stepping out and starting again can be one of the hardest things to do but the results can end up being life changing. These are some tips that helped me to have the courage to start again.
1.) Discovering what I really wanted
Before I could start again I had to first discover what I really wanted. When I understood the end goal it made the process and my need to take risk worth it because I understood the purpose of those risk.
2.) Doing it afraid
The unknown maybe scary but being at a place you don’t really want to be is even scarier because if you continue to follow that path you will end up unhappy. It’s ok to be afraid but if you really want something sometimes you have to do it afraid. Don’t allow fear to hold you back.
3.) Following through
Be willing to follow through on the decision you made. Change is not easy but when it involves making your life better it is worth it. Don’t give up when things get hard. Remind yourself that you can do hard things. “Nothing worth having comes easy.” You have to be willing to fight for your future.
I hope this encourages you to not be afraid to start again. You can truly create the life you desire and you don’t have to settle for what you don’t want. Take time to discover what you really want, make a plan, step out and do it afraid and follow through. Thanks for reading!
What’s one risk you’ve taken in the past that was worth it? Comment below, would love to hear your story.
“Everyday is a new beginning. Treat it that way. Stay away from what might have been, and look at what can be.”
-Marsha Petrie Sue
Intentional Hope 