Earlier today, as I sat down at my desk to prepare this note, I began to think, what would I write about. In search for topic ideas, I flipped through the pages of my work planner to locate several topics that I had previously planned to write about, but had never gotten around to. Upon review of them, I felt that it would be better for me to save these for another time. Still thinking of a topic to write about, as I looked down at my cup of tea, I happened to notice a saying printed on the tea bag which stated: we can always start again. And in that moment, I was inspired to write about just that. To be honest, I never even noticed these tea bags came with sayings.
One simple phrase that was both so fitting and very timely became the inspiration for this note. For many of us, isn’t that, after all, what a new year is about…starting again?
To start again implies that at some point, we were already doing the thing or activity, but for some reason we stopped.
Let’s examine three possible reasons that we would need to start again.
Reason #1: We Stopped [We did not follow through with our intended plans.]
This is probably one of the biggest reasons that a lot of people do not like to make “new year’s resolutions.” It’s all too easy to start something with great enthusiasm and excitement, and just as easy to stop, or quit, when the reality of the hard work and the level of dedication that is needed to succeed becomes painfully apparent. Starting and stopping makes for a very bumpy ride. Don’t get me wrong, it is perfectly fine to quit something when it no longer aligns with our overall goals or desire for our lives. It’s altogether another thing to simply quit because we lack the dedication to accomplish the goal that we have set out for. This is why before embarking on any endeavor, we have to weigh the costs and make sure that we have accounted for the level of resources and commitment that will be required of us.
Reason #2: We Messed Up [We made a mistake.]
When we make mistakes, it is natural to become discouraged and to want to give up. Especially when the damage seems irreparable. The truth is that there are generally two types of damage: 1. damage that is reparable, and 2. damage that is irreparable.
If the damage is reparable, we must assess the degree of damage, determine how to repair it, and invest the resources into its restoration.
On the other hand, damage that is irreparable is a lot harder to deal with, because there is nothing that we can do to repair it. In these situations, we must learn to live with it, accepting its reality. Acceptance of what seems and feels like failure can be hard, but we must always remember two things: 1. While everything cannot be fixed, most things can be made better; and 2. Mistakes are a part of life. The most important thing that we can do is to learn and grow from them. We should never allow our mistakes to hold us hostage.
Reason #3: We got off track from our intended course [We got distracted.]
It is important that we check in on our goals regularly to make sure that we stay on track. Goals are not designed to be created and then not looked at again. On the contrary, in order to obtain our goals, we need to review them regularly. By doing so, we ensure that we are taking the necessary steps and actions needed to obtain our stated goals. However, life happens, and we don’t always do the things that we should. There are times when we can become distracted; whether by something simple, or by something more complex that requires our attention, pulling us away from the course that we had planned. In times like these, we must assess the goal to make sure that it is still desirable. And if it is, we must then recalibrate, refocusing our efforts on obtaining the goal, thereby putting us back on track for attainment.
If you find yourself in a position where you need to start again, for whatever reason, allow yourself the grace and the freedom to do just that, to start again. The beginning of a brand new year presents the perfect opportunity to pick back up those things that are important to us that we may have somehow lost, neglected, or dropped along the way.
And lastly, with this being the first post of the new year, I would like to conclude it by wishing you a very bright and prosperous new year. Happy 2026!
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