Today, start by giving yourself grace and remembering not to judge yourself for how long your journey is taking. We all need our own time to travel our own distance. Every step is necessary, and everyone journeys in their own way…
Some people start their careers right out of college in their early twenties, only to find themselves burnt out and starting over when they reach their early thirties. Others start working minimum wage jobs right out of high school and work their way up the corporate ladder, retiring happily in their mid-sixties. Some people fall in love and get married in their mid-twenties, but wind up divorced a few years later. Others marry in their early forties and spend four decades with their soul mate. Some couples are ridiculed for becoming teen parents, but end up living to meet their great grandchildren. Other couples get pregnant in their mid-forties and are ridiculed in a different way, but make it work just fine.
Again, everyone’s journey is different.
So just remind yourself right now: there are no absolutes in life.
And there certainly are no fixed timelines.
It’s not too late to make the best of what’s in front of you.
You’re exactly where you need to be right now.
Which means it’s time to…
1. Start being a beginner again.
“Starting over is not an option!”
Unfortunately that’s a lie many of us hold on to until the bitter end.
The idea of starting over being a bad thing is baked right into the fabric of our society’s education system. We send our children to a university when they’re 17 or 18, and basically tell them to choose a career path they’ll be happy with for the next 40 years. “But what if I choose wrong?” I remember thinking to myself. And that’s exactly what I did, in more ways than one. Over the years, however, I’ve learned the truth through experience: you can change paths anytime you want to, and oftentimes it’s absolutely necessary that you do.
Yes, starting over and making substantial changes in your life is almost always feasible. It won’t be easy of course, but neither is being stuck with a lifelong career you naively chose when you were a teenager. And neither is holding on to something that’s not meant to be, or something that’s already long gone.
The truth is, no one wins a game of chess by only moving forward; sometimes you have to move backward to put yourself in a position to win. And this is a perfect metaphor for life. Sometimes when it feels like you’re running into one dead end after another, it’s actually a sign that you’re not on the right path. Maybe you were meant to hang a left back when you took a right, and that’s perfectly fine. Life gradually teaches us that U-turns are allowed. So turn around when you must! There’s a big difference between giving up and starting over in the right direction. And there are three little words that can release you from your past mistakes and regrets, and get you back on track. These words are: “From now on…”
So from now on what should you do?
Mix it up a little bit. Take one step at a time. Find ways to provide a healthy challenge to your current understanding of life, and you will discover and experience far more of life’s magic in the days ahead. (Note: Angel and I discuss this in more detail in the Success chapter of “1,000 Little Things Happy, Successful People Do Differently”.)
2. Start doing the hard stuff you’ve been putting off.
Find the courage to do the hard things you need to do to be happy. The things no one else seems to be doing for themselves. The things that frighten you a little bit. The things others can’t possibly do for you. The things that make you question how much longer you can hold on and push forward. Yes, do those things, because those are the things that define you! Those are the things that make the difference between existing and living—between knowing the path and walking the path… between a life of mediocrity and a life filled with happiness, inner peace, and personal growth.
And remember, the courage to do hard things doesn’t always roar out loud. Sometimes it’s simply the quiet voice at the very end of the day whispering, “I will try again tomorrow.”
3. Start embracing the discomfort that’s worth it to you.
Discomfort can be a form of pain, but it isn’t a deep pain—it’s a shallow one. It’s the feeling you get when you’ve stepped outside of your comfort zone. The idea of exercising in many people’s minds, for example, brings discomfort, so they don’t do it. Eating a spinach and kale salad brings discomfort too. So does meditating, or writing in a journal, or focusing on a difficult task, or saying “no” to others. Of course these are just examples, because different people find discomfort in different things, but you get the gist.
The key thing to understand is that most forms of discomfort actually help us grow into our strongest and smartest selves. However, many of us were raised by loving parents who did so much to make our childhoods comfortable, that we inadvertently grew up to subconsciously believe that we don’t need discomfort in our lives. So now we run from it constantly. The problem with this is that, by running from discomfort, we are constrained to partake in only the activities and opportunities within our comfort zones. And since our comfort zones are relativity small, we miss out on most of life’s greatest and healthiest experiences, and we get stuck in a debilitating cycle.
Let’s use diet and exercise as an example…
- First, we become unhealthy because eating healthy food and exercising feels uncomfortable, so we opt for comfort food and mindless TV watching instead.
- But then, being unhealthy is also uncomfortable, so we seek to distract ourselves from the reality of our unhealthy bodies by eating more unhealthy food and watching more unhealthy entertainment and going to the mall to shop for things we don’t really want or need. And our discomfort just gets worse.
Amazingly, the simple act of accepting a little discomfort every day and taking it one small step at a time can solve most of our common problems, and make our minds happier, healthier, and stronger in the long run.
But again, it’s hard sometimes—really, really hard! There is no person in the world capable of flawlessly handling every punch thrown at them. That’s not how we’re made. We’re made to get upset, sad, hurt, stumble and fall here and there. Because that’s part of living—to face discomfort, learn from it, and adapt over the course of time. This is what ultimately molds us into the person we become.
So when you find yourself cocooned in isolation and cannot find your way out of the darkness, remember that this is similar to the place where caterpillars go to grow their wings. Just because today is uncomfortable and stressful, doesn’t mean tomorrow won’t be wonderful. You just got to get there.
4. Start consciously thinking better about yourself.
You have to admit, you’ve spent a lot of your life subconsciously belittling yourself. Thinking you’re not enough. Trying to be someone else. Someone who fits in. Someone who’s less sensitive. Less needy. Less flawed. Less YOU. Because you felt broken, and you didn’t want to scare people away. You wanted them to like you. You wanted to make a good impression. You wanted to be seen as worthy and lovable. So you could feel healed and whole.
And so for the longest time, behind a facade of fake smiles, you have inadvertently betrayed yourself for the purpose of pleasing everyone else.
And for longest time, your heart has ached.
But you’re at a point now where you’re seeing things differently. The heartache just isn’t worth it anymore. Belittling yourself for one more day just doesn’t make any sense. And more than that, you now realize no matter what you do or how you change, some people will never be pleased anyway.
You now realize you have to start doing things for the right reasons!
Not because it’s what you think everyone else needs, but because you finally know yourself to be worthy of your own love and care.
Not because other people approve of you, but because you are breathing your own air, thinking your own thoughts, and occupying a space no one else ever could.
Yes, you are indeed worthy! Your ideas are worthy. Your feelings are worthy. Your needs are worthy. And without everyone else’s constant validation, you must be who you are and live your truth. Even if it makes people turn their heads. Even if it means walking alone down the path less traveled for awhile…
Even if your self-confidence has been shaken!
The real battle is always in your mind. And your mind is under your control, not the other way around.
You may have been broken down by adversity or rejection or stress, but YOU are not broken. So don’t let others convince you otherwise. And don’t let your mind get the best of you either.
Heal yourself by refusing to belittle yourself.
Choose to take up a lot of positive space in your own life today. Choose to give yourself permission to meet your own needs. Choose to honor your feelings and emotions. Choose to make self-love and self-care a part of your daily rituals…
Choose to think better about yourself, so you can live better in spite of the challenges you face.
5. Start taking short breaks away from your own issues.
In life’s tougher moments, we all have the tendency to put ourselves at the center of the universe, and see everything from the viewpoint of how it affects us. And this can have all kinds of adverse effects, from feeling sorry for ourselves when things aren’t going exactly as planned, to doubting ourselves when we aren’t perfect, to feeling lost and alone with our issues when we’re having a bad day.
So whenever I catch myself lingering at the center in a negative state of mind, I do my best to briefly shift my focus away from my own issues, and onto other people around me that I might be able to help. Finding little ways to be of service to others gets me out of my self-centered thinking, and then I’m not wallowing alone in self-pity anymore—I’m starting to think about what others need. I’m not doubting myself, because the question of whether I’m good enough is no longer the central question. The central question now is about what others need.
It’s one of life’s great paradoxes: when we serve others we end up benefiting as much if not more than those we serve. So whenever you feel a bit lost or stuck with your own issues, try to shift your focus from your circumstances to the circumstances of those around you. Instead of asking, “What’s wrong with me?” ask, “How can I help you?” Find someone who could use an extra hand and make a small, reasonable offer they can’t refuse. The perspective you gain from doing so will guide you forward.
Angel and I initially developed this strategy in our lives about 15 years ago as we were struggling with the near simultaneous loss of two loved ones. It was really hard to find motivation when we didn’t think we had the strength to push forward—when we felt downright defeated and sorry for ourselves. But we took one small step every day—oftentimes just writing a short blog post to share some lessons learned with others who might find our stories and ideas helpful—and it felt good, and we gradually grew stronger.
This morning, as I caught myself struggling with some recent inner conflicts, I followed suit again—I took a small step forward… just turning on my laptop, opening up a new document, and writing a single sentence. Such an action is so small as to seem insignificant, and yet so easy as to be possible when I was feeling down. And it showed me the next step was possible, and the next. And the end result is the blog post you’ve just finished reading. I sincerely hope you’ve benefited from it in some small way.
Now it’s your turn…
Yes, it’s your turn today! I sincerely hope you will make the best of it, that you will dream boldly and dangerously, that you will leverage the reminders above to create something that didn’t exist before you took action, that you will love and be loved in return, and that you will find the strength to accept and grow from the outcomes you can’t change. And, most importantly (because I think there should be more kindness and wisdom in this crazy world), that you will, when you must, be wise with your decisions, and that you will be extra kind to yourself and others.
And before you go, please leave Angel and me a comment below and let us know what you think of this essay. Your feedback is important to us. 🙂
Which one of the points above resonated the most today?
Finally, if you haven’t done so already, be sure to sign-up for our free newsletter to receive new articles like this in your inbox each week.
Amanda Geeva says
“…when we serve others we end up benefiting as much if not more than those we serve.”
This. This is what humanity has forgotten, or, for some, never learned.
Thank you for your beautiful and insightful posts. I look forward to getting your emails leading me to each new one. Your contribution to the world does not go unnoticed.
Marian Murphy says
Amen to that and may we continue to help others as long as we physically can for the greater good of all needing help with their journey.
Shar says
Your article was superb
Sandy says
That article really made me feel better. It was like it was speaking directly to me. Like it was giving me permission. Thank you for that.
Leon Rousso says
Our collective conscience is changing but it will take leadership from one generation to another. Love is the only way to break through to a better world for everyone.
Claire says
Another awesome article/email at the right time…
Thank u guys you’ve been truly inspirational to me. I’m struggling with the panic again. Fear of leaving my zone where I feel safe.
I know this needs to change. There’s always tomorrow to grow but I’m trying to take a few small steps today too.
JJ says
Thank you. Several of the points hit home. Also reading your 1000 Little Things book as a morning self-reflection exercise. Excellent stuff all around.
Jenn says
I struggle with all of these. I am in the beginning stages of divorce and find myself constantly angry with what ‘could have been’ and what ‘should have been’. I rage at myself for not being able to fulfill those goals, for being 38 years old and ‘wasting’ 12 years of my life on a goal that I will now never see. It tears me up inside usually when I least expect it. Usually when I start the cycle of think, think, think and beat myself up about things.
When I read the title I thought to myself thats not for me… and then I realized… it IS me. All of it. Especially afraid to go a new path without a foundation to tether myself (my husband). Thank you so much for sharing this post. Much love for what you share with the world.
Antonio Menezes says
Take heart Jenn. My marriage folded after 35 years leaving me depressed and bew8ldered and financially laid low. But I discovered peace and contentment in my solitude. And more importantly I’ve learnt to dream boldly. and perhaps dangerously. I am deeply grateful for these articles that have made a big difference to my life. And they don’t charge you….quite rare in this day and age. Thank you.
MURRAY STEWART says
Jenn… Don’t beat yourself up.
You haven’t wasted anything… you’ve merely been waiting to be ready at the right time to begin exploring for your next big life chapters.
Don’t panic… take your time… you can do it
Katie says
I just wanted to say thank you for the wonderful reminders, and for taking the time and energy to help others through your writing, myself now included. I never, ever leave comments on anything, but your post was so beautiful and helpful. So thank you; thank you so, so much for writing the very things so many of us need to be reminded of, especially lately. I wish your family the love, peace, and happiness you so deserve as well!
Michelle says
I just got my Masters degree at 52. Seriously. My second time beginning again. It was absolutely worth it! And thanks for this great read today!
Nickolas says
Number 4 is very good for me… my entire family seemed to deny me the right to take up space, that’s exactly how it felt. I have never quite been able to put the feeling properly it into words words. The other day, I came up with “a feeling of having been ostracised”, or of not being allowed to be myself whenever I was at home, but this notion of “taking up space” works very well indeed.
And… I still have an inner hesitation about it today. I’m always asking myself if I have a right to be here, there or wherever, even if people are happy to see me.
People have also often said I have great ideas for myself (and I do) but I never do them, preferring the safe option most times.
There are also times when I’m just too scared to show myself, who I am, my true colours, then again there are times when there is just no stopping me. I’m on a roll, but there will be a price to pay for that each time.
The questions in my head during the bad times are always: Am I allowed to do this? Am I going to far? Am I showing myself up? Am I exposing myself? Am I in danger?
And I do a post-mortem after the event: Did I have a right to do that? Did I go too far? Did I show myself up? Did I expose myself? Was I in danger?
That is indeed a mental block I have, but today, thanks to this post, I have probably found the cause. I was made to feel bad about myself merely for being myself and taking up space. I must have made great efforts not to do either. Those efforts probably became second nature and now run themselves like clockwork!
Marie says
Nikolas you have summed up everything I wanted to say. This has been me for so many years, all my life really until a pivotal moment 18 mths ago and the veil was lifted & I saw it all for what it was. It still hurts sometimes but mostly I now feel free to be me. I have slowly moved on and thanks to Marc and Angels blog , and words of wisdom I am learning to forgive, love myself and my life.
Thank you Nickolas for sharing. Thank you Marc & Angel (and your grandma! )X
Scott says
Marc and Angel,
I usually don’t leave comments to any blog that I read, But after reading yours for the last several Months, I realized that it was time to Thank the Both of you, I know you all have been through a lot, and taking the time to give us readers a Spiritlyft, and letting us know what you have been through and how you all came through to help others, is true strength and love, So Thank You both for helping me realize me and Thank you both for being Great people, It has helped me through some tough times recently.
Lauren says
Honestly, this article is EXACTLY how I feel right now. I mean its scary how dead on it is. Im both happy and saddened that it is so correct about life and how I feel now. I wanted to say thank you for writing it, as it makes me feel not so wrong to be where im at today: still evolving, still fighting, and sometimes not wanting to more often lately. I am definetly thankful and will be saving this to reread to help me keep moving forward on my purpose and mission in life, thank you.
Denny says
What a gentle but powerful wake-up call — this list is exactly what I needed to read right now. I love how you remind us that it’s okay to start over: that “being a beginner again” isn’t a defeat, but a chance to choose a new direction when the old one no longer fits. Your encouragement to “do the hard stuff you’ve been putting off” and “embrace the discomfort that’s worth it” feels so real — because growth rarely comes easy, but it often comes from those small, scary steps forward we tend to avoid. I especially appreciate the reminder to think better about yourself — to stop shrinking, stop apologizing for your presence, and start owning your worth. Sometimes we forget that self-kindness, self-respect, and honoring our own feelings are the foundation for any meaningful change. Thank you for writing something that feels like a conversation with a friend — clear, kind, hopeful, and full of possibility. I have a feeling I’ll be returning to these “5 things” regularly as I pick up the courage to make changes in my life.
Joanna says
Wow. I have been subscribing to this site for a couple years now. But today’s post resonated so deeply with me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I began 2026 saying “this is finally the year for me to make the changes I need to make (after many years of procrastination). I felt like finally it would happen. Needless to say, we are a few months in and guess what, I am still procrastinating and haven’t changed anything. Some days it is just too hard. But just about every point you made I personally can identify with.
I am going to try reading it every morning first thing and hoping that it will help to motivate me. And also to help me to feel better about myself and not beat myself up so much about not being where I should be in my life. And I do believe that things happen for a reason, and when they are supposed to happen. Thank you again.
Jeanetta Jonker says
Wow Joanna, this is exactly how I also feel, but today’s blog really inspired me. What stood out the most is about taking small steps. May you, Marc, Angel and all other readers be blessed in your life’s journey.
Millie says
Thank you for getting me through the hard days. I’ve been writing sporadically in the morning journal book.
39 yrs of marriage, going on 70, and 5 grandchildren later I pray for grace so i can forgive myself and more often my spouse at times. Being grateful and my volunteer work helps. Bless you and the readers that reply. Both are uplifting.
Shad says
Excellent
Apt
Perfect timing
Life’s amazing isn’t it
As I was faced with a few life changing questions
I picked up my mobile
and found this reminder/Article
What I take from it..
Keep on moving
no Matter what
Change is inevitable
Life is amazing
with everything and everyone in it
Paths cross for a reason, and season and lifetime
When one journey ends another begins
I am looking forward to the next step..
Thanks.
Mariah says
I loved the chess reference! This post was relevant to a lot of the conversations I’ve been having lately. Thank you for sharing.
Stefani Staats says
Marc, wow – this is incredibly well-written & I want to offer you my most sincere thank you for reaching me through your words. This part really spoke to me: “ The real battle is always in your mind. And your mind is under your control, not the other way around.
… And don’t let your mind get the best of you either.” I only recently learned this (or really let it sink in) & what an absolute game changer! I could feel your warmth as I read this & I found it so beautiful. Thank you again – I am off to “Choose to take up a lot of positive space in [my] own life today!”
Shawn says
Thank you for writing such good articles. It is a great help to all of us stuck in this rut of life. In this article, the thing that resonated the best with me was the “our minds are ours to control.” Keep up the good work.
Stephen Kilpaatrick says
Saving this one!
Usman Sanni says
Thank you for this profound piece. What strongly resonated was this “When we serve others, we end up benefiting as much if not more than those we serve.
Prabhakar Iswalkar says
Thank you for sharing this amazing, thoughful, and motivational article. This resonates deeply with everyone at different phases of life. Sometimes life asks us to pause, step back, reflect, and realign before we can truly move forward again.
There may be periods of struggle, career breaks, heartbreaks, failures, or moments when nothing seems to work despite our efforts. But often, those setbacks are not the end, they are redirections. Just like in chess, stepping backward is sometimes the smartest move to create a stronger position for the future.
Sometimes when it feels like you’re running into one dead end after another, it may simply mean you are being guided toward a different and better path. The key is to learn, adapt, and keep moving forward with greater clarity and strength.
David says
“Find the courage to do the hard things you need to do to be happy. The things no one else seems to be doing for themselves… The things that make you question how much longer you can hold on and push forward. Yes, do those things, because those are the things that define you! Those are the things that make the difference between existing and living—between knowing the path and walking the path… between a life of mediocrity and a life filled with happiness, inner peace, and personal growth.
And remember, the courage to do hard things doesn’t always roar out loud. Sometimes it’s simply the quiet voice at the very end of the day whispering, “I will try again tomorrow.” “Amazingly, the simple act of accepting a little discomfort every day and taking it one small step at a time can solve most of our common problems, and make our minds happier, healthier, and stronger in the long run.”
There’s a lot of meaning in this essay; I’ve just pasted above the first of several lessons that I appreciate from it. Something that has a deep meaning in my life right now… dare to be different.
Hugs.
Michael Nasr says
It is a great post. Thank you for sharing those ideas.
Chukwuemeka Nwachukwu says
This one made my day.
Julie Ann says
Thank you for this article, I’ve been struggling with my own negative thoughts and anxiety everyday especially at night when I feel empty longing for someone that’s not meant for me. Having a hard time to let go of my past it keeps on coming to my mind. Idk what to do or how to cope from this dark situation. I’m so tired trying to be ok, but I’m glad that I was able to read this article that some of the words help me to realized that , that is the best thing to do right now. I hope to get more inspirational quotes to help me find the true happiness and freedom that I am looking for.
Thank you so so much! God bless you!