The Courage to Begin Again

We all know what it feels like to stumble, stall out, or even stop altogether.

Maybe it’s a project you put on hold, a dream you shelved, or a season of life that left you exhausted and wondering if you could keep going.

For many years, I believed beginning again meant I had somehow failed. That I wasn’t disciplined enough, strong enough, or talented enough to “get it

right” the first time. Maybe you’ve told yourself a similar story.

But here’s what I’ve learned: the ability to begin again isn’t failure. It’s resilience.

Why Beginning Again Takes Courage

When we start fresh, we’re asked to:

• Release the old story — to let go of the belief that pausing or stopping makes us less worthy.
• As I near the completion of my memoir, I see how often I carried old stories like a collection of failure badges. One of the hardest to release was the belief that I wasn’t a writer. My ninth-grade teacher once wrote on my paper: “You are not a writer. At least not without a lot of work.”
• That message stuck for decades. I was even physically ill during the early stages of writing, battling that belief. Yet, through persistence and support, I learned that releasing old stories creates space for a new version of ourself to emerge.
• Take a small step forward — trusting that courage builds in motion, one step at a time.
• When I trained for a half-marathon and later a sprint triathlon, the finish line felt impossible. Even climbing out of Central Park on that painful day in 2016 required immense courage to take the first step. The same has been true for every new job, promotion, or the leap into entrepreneurship.
• The first step is always the hardest—new, scary, uncertain—but once it’s taken, momentum begins to carry you forward.
• Ask for support — allowing community and connection to hold us steady when fear whispers that we’re alone.
• For me, this has often been the hardest lesson. Growing up, I believed success meant doing everything myself. But I’ve discovered the opposite is true: I could not have reached many milestones without help. A coach trained me for races, guided me through health challenges, and mentored me as I started my business.
• Asking for support isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom, and it’s one of the most courageous choices we can make.

These take more bravery or simply powering through. It takes humility, presence, and a willingness to trust the process.

My Own Fresh Starts

One of my most defining “begin again” moments came in 2016 in New York City. I found myself at the bottom of a hill in Central Park, unable to walk, my body demanding that I stop.

What looked like a breakdown was really an invitation: to pause, to listen, and eventually to start again—this time with greater clarity and alignment.

That moment reshaped how I see new beginnings. It’s not about erasing what came before. It’s about carrying forward the lessons, leaving behind what no longer serves, and stepping into a future with courage.

A Reflection for You

As fall approaches, I’ve been looking at the spaces in my own life where I’m being called to begin again. I can already see one or two.

How about you? Where in your life are you being invited, nudged, or called to begin again?

It might be something small—a daily habit, a creative practice, a relationship—or something bigger, like a career path or long-held dream.

Whenever I feel the nudge to begin again, I stop, breathe, and ask myself:
👉 What’s one small, meaningful step I can take that moves me toward what matters most?

Then I listen—to my body, my heart, and the wisdom around me.

I encourage you to try this, today. Maybe for the next week. Or perhaps for the next couple of weeks.

Rooted in You Circle 🌿

If you’re feeling the call to reset and begin again with clarity and courage, you don’t have to do it alone. The Rooted in You Circle begins September 24. It’s a trusted space to pause, reconnect, and take those next steps forward—supported by community and grounded in what truly matters.

👉 [Learn more and reserve your spot here – link]

Because the most courageous beginnings rarely happen in isolation. They grow stronger when we step into them together.

✨ Closing thought: Beginning again is not a setback. It’s your invitation to step into the life you’re meant to live.

If you missed Friday’s podcast on this theme, you can listen here: [Podcast Link]. And next week, I’ll be joined by a guest sharing her own journey of beginning again.