Time for a fresh start! Yay, right? Er, wait…it’s not January. Is it? Did we enter an alternate universe?

Did you think for a moment there I’d lost my mind? Or that, maybe, you had somehow time travelled?

Fear not. Neither has happened. It’s only natural to believe that creating a fresh start is reserved for January or when we’re making some major changes in life. That’s just the way things have always been — we make a big deal about January being reserved for new goals and resolutions. But it doesn’t have to be that way! You can make a fresh start whenever you’d like.

So let’s be rebels and create a fresh start right now. Because you might be feeling like this year hasn’t gone so well (or maybe it has), and you want a do-over or refresh before the calendar rolls into 2019.

And the beauty of it? A fresh start is defined as “an opportunity to start over without prejudice.”

WITHOUT PREJUDICE. 

This means you can wipe the slate clean and forget about the mistakes or old habits you may have fallen into. And start fresh. In September. 

On my journey to creating a new life from scratch, I’ve learned how easy it is to fall back into old habits or let obstacles hold you in place, paralyzing you from making progress. It’s not fun being stuck in that place. But who wants to wait around until January for a fresh start?

I don’t know about you, but I’m in need of one now.

Why?

Well, it’s been a year of stops and starts. Of failures and triumphs. Of overcoming bad habits only to fall back into them when I’m having a tough time dealing with my emotions.

Like me, you might be in all new territory too. Maybe you’re in a new phase of your life where it’s time to grow again or change your life completely.

And let me say, it’s never too late. 

So, no more beating yourself up! No more saying you’re not good enough or worthy enough. 

Because you are! Let’s start fresh, shall we? Here are a few ways to replenish your soul and start off on a new path to happiness, health and wealth:

9 Ideas For A Fresh Start Whenever You Need It

1. Embrace change.

Change and challenging times are normal in life. Embracing change makes us stronger and more resilient. We’re able to bounce back faster when faced with challenging times the next time around. Instead of hiding away or cowering in your comfort zone, embrace change fully and walk confidently into a new chapter. Say to yourself: I am willing to change.

2. Create a hard reset.

By doing something out of the norm, you create a reset for your mind and body. It opens up your heart and mind to new things and new experiences. You’ll face the world with a renewed sense of curiosity.

When I need a hard reset, I’ll travel somewhere and stay for a few days or do something simple like visiting an art gallery or museum I haven’t been to in a while in the city. It opens your mind to new possibilities. Try it sometime!

3. Change up your routine.

Get out of the rut of old habits by trying out a new routine. It works for anything! Try a new morning or evening routine. Change up your fitness routine and try a new workout, or do yoga, pilates, or a body pump class.

4. Read a book on productivity or transforming your life.

I’m a constant learner and believe that books are the gateway to transforming your life. If you’re looking for a fresh start, try reading a book about using your time better or how to transform a certain area of your life.

Here are a few of my fave transformation self-help books:

The Success Principles by Jack Canfield

Wherever You Go There, You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn

The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer

Manage Your Day-to-Day: Build Your Routine, Find Your Focus, & Sharpen Your Creative Mind by 99U

5. Dream a little.

Do you remember the last time you dreamed a little? It’s easy to forget your dreams when you’re juggling a career, family, money, home, and your sanity. But taking time to dream is a valuable exercise to improve your outlook.

Take ten minutes and journal about how and what you’d change about your life. The sky’s the limit here, don’t hold back! Let your mind wander and think about all the possibilities.

6. Put your phone down.

While technology can be a wonderful tool in our daily lives, it can also be destructive when we become addicted or stuck in patterns of comparing our lives. Because it’s a form of addiction, our phones also hold us back from listening to our intuition which is our guide to living life.

So put your phone down, and trust your intuition to guide you toward the fresh start you need.

7. Make it a “do something new” day.

There are incredible benefits to trying something new. By trying new things, you learn to conquer fear, get to know yourself better and expand your creativity.

For years, I stayed stagnant and did the same thing day in and day out. It wasn’t until my divorce was looming that I stepped out of my comfort zone and started embracing change. I travelled solo, conquered my fear of heights, learned to play tennis, and started saying yes to almost every new experience. I cannot begin to tell you how much it helped me grow.

You can see where I’m going here, right? Visit that new cafe you’ve always wanted to, take 10 minutes to people watch, let your mind wander, then journal what you could do differently in your life or make a list of all the new things you’d like to try.

8. Commit to curiosity.

This is my fave! And sadly, something I’ve been lacking for quite a while. When life gets challenging, it’s in our nature to want to hide and withdraw from life, to lose our natural sense of curiosity.

When you’re ready for a fresh start, one of the best things you can do is commit to curiosity in all areas of your life. I love this because it gets you thinking like a kid again. For me, being a writer requires me to remain curious. If I’m not, it’s hard to write about what’s going on in life or to question things. See the world through new eyes and change your perspective.

9. Create structure and plan your time.

Most of us prefer structure. There are not too many of us that like to wing it. By making a schedule of your goals each week and holding yourself accountable for them, you’ll be rewarded with clarity. I put everything in my Google Calendar. Which includes my part-time job schedule, the days I have open for writing, my self-care day, and the meet-ups I have with fellow creatives.

When you’re creating your fresh start, consider asking yourself these questions to help you along the way:

• What are the bad habits that I need to change? Create a stop-doing list. 
• Have I been taking care of myself? Emotionally, spiritually, and physically?
• Have I developed any addictions? If yes, why? What feelings or things am I avoiding?
• What’s important to me? What makes me happy?
• Are my mind, living space, and digital life cluttered? Why? Make a plan to clean it up.

The wonderful thing about a fresh start is that you can do it whenever you need it. And they’re great fear busters and confidence boosters. One thing to remember is that you have the power and control over your life to create a new reality any time you choose. By empowering yourself, you create your own life experience.

I’ve reinvented my life several times, and I’m sure I have a few more in me.

Have you made a fresh start? What’s worked for you? Comment below.