The Power of a Fresh Start

We perceive our life in chunks. In the book, How to Change, Katy Milkman talks about change, and one of the fastest, easiest ways to change is with the power of a fresh start.

Take the new years celebration, for example; it’s a mega party the whole world participates in. Fireworks, screams, music and prosecco rule the world for one second. It’s a night where all the magic happens during the countdown, giving you this sense of hope—a jolt of energy that’s almost palpable. We are here!

You also might enjoy certain rituals, like writing the yearly review or picking one word for 2022, even figuring out your resolutions or just experiencing the heat/cold change of the seasons.

A fresh start is exhilarating. It’s like getting another crack at life. As if you can wipe the slate clean.

The beauty of a new beginning is that it’s not too late. You can always start over, and that’s a powerful thing.

A fresh start is not about eliminating our history, starting from zero, completely changing or renewing yourself.

Say it with me “New year, Still me!”

When we harness the feelings of a new start, you may feel this insane amount and good vibes and energy towards your intentions. But have you noticed that sometimes our interests change?

When things become dull, we seem to seek a taste of something new and exciting. It’s the reason the honeymoon phase exists. It’s a hedonic adaptation, “feelings, people return to a relatively stable, baseline level of affect.” (Diener, Lucas, & Scollon, 2006). You get desensitized or accustomed to a stimulus.

My goal this year is to keep it fresh. In my ideal world, I want 2022 to feel like I’m taking care of future me, like I can get a hold of my life. Everything that I start today is just a tiny step that my future self can begin again.

Instead of looking at each day just like any other day that repeats a la groundhog day, I look at each day with excitement for the new.

So how can you harness the power of a fresh start?

Five mindsets to get a fresh start feeling

At times, we wake up each morning and our minds instantly (maybe subconsciously) begin to ruminate on the things we didn’t accomplish the day before or on the things we failed to do. Or perhaps we wake up to the usual routine we follow to get the day started, and we’re already on autopilot.

We may not even be aware of these things that hold us back from beginning each day with a feeling of rejuvenation and inspiration.

So how can we start our day with a feeling of refreshment and excitement?

1. Let go of the past

Try to have the mindset of learning from your experiences. This is easier said than done. But it helps to remember that the past doesn’t always equal the future.

2. Begin with the end in mind

Before you go to bed, think of a few things you’d like to accomplish the next day. This can consist of little things, such as doing something nice for a loved one, to something major, such as landing a big account.

3. Let go of expectations

It’s essential always to have an optimistic outlook, but if you set unrealistic expectations of yourself or compare yourself to others, try your best to let it go.

4. Give yourself something to look forward

Whether it’s working out, grabbing a smoothie with a friend, or watching your favourite movie for the 20th time, make plans to do things you enjoy throughout the day.

5. Remember, It’s your choice

Instead of telling yourself, you have to go to the gym today when you don’t feel like it; you tell yourself that it’s a new day and it’s your choice. Whether you commit to a gym session or not, it’s your choice. You can choose to do or decide not to. Rather than force yourself to do something you don’t want to do, don’t do it. It’s all about choice.

40 ways to start over

There are many opportunities to begin again. You can start creating a vision of the future and choosing how to participate in it at any moment. If you don’t like your direction, you can change it. Embrace the energy of the new year that brings an invitation to start fresh, to let go of the past. It’s the beginning of a new cycle of energy.

1. Celebrating New Year’s Eve
2. Birthday/Anniversary
3. Mondays
4. New Month
5. New Moon
6. Solstice
7. Joining the first day of school
8. When it’s snowing
9. Deep cleaning and decluttering
10. Moving furniture around
11. Joining Cohort Based Courses
12. Being a tourist in a new place
13. Staying in Hostels
14. Moving to a new city
15. Going to a concert
16. Taking the day off
17. Cooking a new recipe
18. Starting a creative challenge
19. Making lists
20. Visualizing
21. Discovering a passion
22. Reading things that get you excited
23. Figuring out your values, your goals, your why
24. Starting Module 1
25. Opening a new book
26. Getting a new pet
27. Buying journals
28. Practicing Yoga
29. Walking
30. Swimming
31. Dancing
32. Running
33. Taking a breath
34. Going through an “extreme makeover” experience
35. Getting new clothes
36. Joining a Co-working space or cafe
37. Taking on a project
38. Weekly Plan/Review
39. Joining an accountability group
40. Setting up a new Notion dashboard

In what ways do you give yourself the feeling of a fresh start?