DON'T FEEL STUCK. It's dangerously easy to become lazy or lose hope when it comes to accomplishing your goals. Trying is hard, especially when your morale has been beaten down before. Giving it your all is scary, especially when you know what it feels like to come up short.
But it's so important to be brave, be fair, and be reasonable with yourself. We're often quick to put our faith in people and to give everyone a second chance EXCEPT when it comes to ourselves. Think about it. It makes absolutely no sense— We know ourselves better than we know anyone and we want to see ourselves succeed more than anything.
So, root for yourself and give yourself another shot at whatever it is that's weighing on your mind right now. Your present self (not your past self, past decisions, past situations, etc.) is in charge of your future life. You can start over whenever you want.
If you feel like you've lost yourself or don't like the lifestyle you've been living but that there's nothing you can do about where your past choices led you...
rethink. It's never too late to start over. All you have to do is decide to. You're under no obligation to be the same person you were the past year, month, or even couple of minutes. You don't owe that to anyone. Think about it, a revelation, a life-changing encounter, or an important decision can change a person in just one moment. It happens all the time. Why not you?
If it feels like it's too late for you and a friend or significant other— like you've burned too many bridges...
it's not. It's never too late to start over if you both want to and truly commit to letting the past be the past and starting new. The catch: With this one, it really does seem to take two to tango. HOWEVER, you'll never regret being the person that tried. A little effort toward a clean slate can go a long way.
Oppositely, if you're in a negative relationship you want out of but feel as though you're stuck with it,
you're not. It's never too late to start over. I know, especially in this case, it is MUCH easier said than done. But it truly is possible if you just take a leap of faith, believing that your resources, family, and friends will help you make it happen. Envision your better life outside of that negative relationship, take the leap, and leave it behind.
If you want to pick up a new hobby but you're scared it doesn't fit the image you have or isn't what people would expect from you,
who cares. It's never too late to start over. Be whoever you want to be. Do more of whatever makes you excited to wake up each day. When you focus all your attention on everyone else's opinion of you, you leave little time to focus on your honest opinion of yourself. People can like you and the "cool" things you do all they want but if you don't like you and the things you're involved in on a daily basis, you're still not going to be happy.
If you've fallen back into an old, harmful habit but you feel as though there's no way for you to quit,
that's not true. It's never too late to start over. There are plenty of things we can reasonably call "impossible:" The sky falling down, "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," a square circle, etc. (I don't know... fight me on these. But I'd say they're impossible.) Although it may be difficult, it is absolutely not impossible for you to turn your back on an addiction or bad habit with a whole lot of determination. It doesn't define you.
If you feel like you've selected the wrong university or job but that it's not worth taking a chance for the unknown,
you're misfocused. It's never too late to start over. Check your priorities and make sure your happiness is number one. Guarantee: You remove yourself from a place that was negatively affecting you. Best case scenario: The scary chance you take leads you to your new happy place. Worst case scenario (which we can't ignore), the new situation is worse. But, guess what, now you know how to find a new university or job; you know the drill. On to the next one!
If it feels like it's too late for you to achieve a certain goal or accomplish a certain milestone in your life...
you haven't. It's never too late to start over. If you've always wanted to move but work always seemed to get in the way, ask for a transfer, take a leave, make a plan with your family, find the same job in your dream state, etc. You can always move back if it doesn't work out— but it could be amazing and you'll never know if you don't try. If you've always wanted to graduate from high school or college but you're past "the normal age," go back anyway! No one is going to be laughing when you have your diploma and you're happy as a clam.
There is no time limit on reaching your goals and finding happiness. There is no cap on how many times you can start again.
