I recently heard about something called “The Starting Over Theory.” It essentially states that every time life makes you start over, it doesn’t mean you have failed. It simply means you are evolving, sometimes faster than your old life can hold.
Starting over doesn’t mean you didn’t succeed; it just means you have outgrown where you were. The part of you that walked away from the job, the relationship, something that was a big part of your identity, isn’t a quitter or failure. It is the part that has decided that the thing you are leaving has nothing left to offer you, and you have the courage to move on to the next chapter.
Taking this leap can be terrifying, but it can also be incredibly liberating. I have said many times, there is comfort in the familiar, even when the familiar is uncomfortable. It’s predictable. We know what to expect. It’s not surprising to have some trepidation about the unknown or worrying that it won’t work out either.
The things we label as failures are where our biggest breakthroughs usually occur. The lessons learned about what works for us and what doesn’t. What we will tolerate and what we won’t. What our needs, desires, and passions are. We can create a new start, a new identity, and often even find our true paths and authentic selves when walking out of the shadow of what we have left behind.
It is normal to grieve something you consider a loss, even if it’s something you want or need. When you close the door of the old behind you, keep in mind your new life needs room to breathe, space to grow, and time to evolve into the next right thing. Maybe this will be the final version, the “success”, and maybe it won’t. None of that matters. Staying in the now, focusing on the step underneath your foot, leads you to what you have been searching for.
I truly believe the change in how we view things, seeing these as releasing what no longer serves us in a positive way as opposed to being a failure, can make a significant difference in our confidence and how we see ourselves, as well as how we navigate the path we take next. If we feel good about leaving behind what doesn’t fit into our lives or who we want to be, we enter the next stage with optimism and curiosity more easily. If we feel down and beat ourselves up about these changes, we may find ourselves in a similar situation or just accept whatever comes along.
So, the next time you are facing something you consider a failure, I encourage you to try changing the way you look at it. Remember the Starting Over Theory, have the courage and curiosity to begin anew, and embrace the personal growth and evolution of your journey. You never know what amazing things could come your way.
Sacred Spirit Wellness is located at The Healing Hive, 21 Barton Street in Bradford, VT. They can be reached via email at sacredspiritwellness1@gmail.com, on their Facebook page or www.sacredspiritwellness.com

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