Published March 20, 2025
Earlier today at 5:01am EDT, it became spring. The arrival of the spring equinox.
Do you find yourself wanting a fresh start? Maybe you have been traumatized by a loss. Perhaps you recently got divorced or went through a bad breakup. Have things just not been going your way so you’re outright exhausted? Is it hard to get out of bed? Do you find yourself not wanting to leave the house?
If you’ve been waiting for the perfect time to have a fresh start, it’s now or never. What are you waiting for? Guess what….nobody is coming to rescue you. YOU have to want to get better. YOU must be the one to jump into action.
Spring is a time of renewal, hope, and new beginnings. The days become longer, the weather gets warmer, and there is a distinct sense of awakening. New life is all around us!
Let’s gather that positive energy and channel the growth in ourselves! I know you want to live a fulfilling life again. And you will! It may sound simple, but you just have to go after it. You don’t have to be super talented or have certain skills. What if I told you that you already have what it takes to pull yourself through?
I like the term “experienced newbie.” You and I have lived through a lot. We’ve grown and evolved from all of our life experiences.
We CAN and WILL figure things out! After all, we’re not new at life. We’re just new at this particular situation. We can do this!
Here are some ideas to help kick start a new beginning. These are some of the things which worked for me. I realize everyone is different and has their own unique journey, so maybe you try a few that feel possible to attain and stick the rest in your pocket to try later on. Your situation very well could be much different than mine.
Regardless, just think about the following and tweak to your situation.
- Get a new car for YOU. Get something YOU want. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just different. Our big black SUV held too many memories which of course I never want to forget, but I also didn’t want to be reminded of my husband’s death every time I climbed into the car. When I got a new car for ME, I felt a sense of renewal and hope.
- Try a new hairstyle. No need to go drastic. Maybe get bangs, or if you have bangs then grow them out. You could do a subtle change to your hair color. Personally, I changed my highlights to be a little brighter. Even a slight change made me feel refreshed.
- If you lost your spouse like I did, it’s time to get rid of his clothes, car, and other personal belongings. It may seem brutal at first, but how can you heal if everywhere you look are constant reminders? For us, the kids and I picked out a few of Matt’s clothing items and kept them as personal reminders. I researched places to make the donation of his clothes because I didn’t want them to go just anywhere. We also kept his golf clubs, to commemorate his love for the sport. His wedding band is in a special place. I sold his car because I couldn’t bear walking in the garage every single day and see it just sitting there. After doing all of this, I felt lighter. A load had been lifted off my shoulders. Was it easy? Absolutely not. Am I glad and proud of myself for accomplishing this? I sure am.
- We moved into a different house but stayed in the same town. Remember, no major decisions in the first year if you suffered the death of a loved one. But having a change of scenery will definitely help kickoff a fresh start. Decorating a new place, picking out fresh paint colors, and buying some new furniture all created an aura of renewal. It was a new life, our new normal.
- Sign up for a class or try a new activity. Maybe it’s an art class. Or maybe you’ve always wanted to try Pilates. Learn how to golf. Whatever it is, sign up! It will get you out of the house, and you will meet new people! For me, I’ve always enjoyed exercising so I enrolled in a program to become certified as a personal trainer. Currently, I am more than halfway through with the program. I am excited about sharing my passion for movement, so you will see future blogs about exercise and how it can help you feel better and be more confident!
- Speaking of exercise, make it a habit to build movement into your daily schedule. You don’t need to do an extreme kickboxing class or run 10 miles. Now that the weather is nicer, go outside and get some fresh air! Take a walk daily. The movement and fresh air in your lungs will breathe new life into you. I find it as a good way to clear my mind.
- Go on a shopping spree and get yourself a new spring/summer wardrobe. Who doesn’t love to get new clothes?? It will help you feel like a new person! Donate stuff that you haven’t worn and do a refresh of your closet. You don’t need to buy brand name items or spend a lot of money, just change things up.
You won’t make progress if you’re hanging on to items and listening to old voice mails or reading old text messages. You can’t move on if you’re constantly reminded of what happened. It’s not that you don’t cherish the memories. I promise you will never forget anyone who has been that special in your life.
Today can be your day one! It’s you against you. You’re never stuck unless you stop so just keep putting one foot in front of the other. As with anything, you have to work hard to get what you want. This is no exception. Nothing is going to magically rescue you. YOU must put in the work. It might feel uncomfortable at first, but just keep going and I promise you will see results! And remember…growth happens in the depths of discomfort.
Share this article with a friend who may need it. And share with me what you’re doing to start anew. I’d love to know! Contact me at inquiry@sincerelyjulie.com or find me on Instagram @sincerelyjulie_joyful_living.