Believe It's Okay to Start Over
It's your beach. Build whatever sandcastle you want.
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Hi there!
I worked in the insurance industry for 18 years. While I loved many of my clients, I hated the business.
Every day was painful, but I stuck with it because it was what I knew. I felt I had to stay with insurance because it was what I’d done for so long. The more time I worked in the field, the more I felt I had to stay there.
I thought I was too far into my journey to turn back. I’d put my train on a track, and there was no turning around.
Then one day, we learned an awful secret about my boss. His poor decisions created an atmosphere impossible to work in, so I walked away. My mental health was more important than any job.
Since I live in a small town, there were no other insurance jobs close to home. The end of my insurance career was terrifying, but it was my only option. Little did I know then, but a better life was just a ways down the road.
“Nothing in the universe can stop you from letting go and starting over.”
- Guy Finley
Starting Over
The terrible actions of my boss became a blessing in disguise. It forced me to look at my life and think about what I wanted to do next. I hated insurance, despised it with every fiber of my being. I needed to start over.
Though terrified, I began forging a new path. I didn’t know where to begin or what to do. There were no signs pointing me to a fresh career track, but I knew I had to be open to anything.
The thought of starting over can be daunting, especially when you don’t know where to begin. The beauty of a clean start is you can go anywhere and be anything. You’re not tied by your past. The things you did before never limit what you can do next.
When you start over, it’s like the ocean wiping the beach clean. You can build whatever sandcastle you want. You can take risks, try new things, and be whoever you want to be. Every road is open to be explored.
The gift of starting over applies to more than just your job. You can change relationships, treatment plans, therapists, and the place you live, just to name a few. Sometimes the healthiest thing to do is stop what you’ve been doing and start down a fresh path.
I publish two newsletters each week. The Sunday All Things Bipolar Newsletter (off-Substack) features the newest content about bipolar life. The Positivity Club Newsletter (this newsletter) highlights positive stories to help you see more good in your world.
Finding Excitement
By walking away from insurance, it gave me time to start a blog and return to my love of writing. While writing has yet to become my full-time income, it gives me joy and touches the lives of others. Every response from a reader warms my heart, but I would never be here if I had refused to begin a new course.
Now I have a book published, two weekly newsletters, and thousands of followers and subscribers. I never imagined any of this was possible, but now I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Starting over is scary, but it’s also exciting. It’s a chance to create the life you always wanted. So, if you’re feeling stuck, know that it is never too late to begin again.
It’s your sandbox. Build what you want. Go out and make your dream happen.
Journal Prompt: Dream big. If you could start over with any part of your life, what would you choose? Why? What can you do today to start working toward that life?
Creative Writing Prompt: Begin a story with the words, “I quit!” What happens next?
Until next time, keep fighting.
Scott Ninneman
Additional Reading:
The book that started it all…
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