The Problem With Deciding You Need a Fresh Start

The main problem with deciding you need a fresh start is that although it seems like a tempting option, the reality is you cannot completely leave behind the person you are and the problems you are having. If you're single, lonely and unemployed, simply telling yourself it's time for a fresh start is not enough. It is important to make an effort if you really want the situation to change, but even if you revamp your CV, take up a hobby and sign up to dating sites, there are no guarantees that anything in your life will change. Unfortunately, when you make a big song and dance about making a fresh start, you only end up disappointed when nothing really changes and you feel even worse if other people know you've failed.

There is nothing wrong with deciding that there are features of your life that could do with improving, but it is worth geting away from the idea of a completely fresh start. It isn't unusual for individuals to get away from it all and move somewhere far away in an attempt to make a fresh start. However, if you decide to do this, you could find yourself alone and without anyone to turn to when you could really do with some support. It can be hard to meet new people and make friends as you get older and you may end up isolated and full of regret, wishing that you'd stayed where you were. That isn't always the case. Some people move and know what they're doing, have a renewed sense of purpose in life and quickly make friends.

Change can be good. If you've lived in the city for a long time and you're fed up with all the hassles associated with big-city living, you may find moving to the countryside is desirable. There is always the chance you may find it dull, but sometimes it is worth taking the risk. Ultimately, you should have a better idea of what you want out of life than anyone else and if you're not happy with the way things are going, only you can change the situation. At the end of the day, though, 'escaping' isn't always enough. Even if you remove yourself from a particular situation, you cannot erase all the experiences, thoughts and connections you have had.

If you're in debt and want to make a fresh start, thus deciding to get a new job and start spending less, putting some money aside to pay off your loans and other financial commitments, you have to prepare yourself for the fact it isn't going to happen overnight. It may be that you're stuck in an unhappy relationship. You can leave, but at the same time if you have a house together and a family, you cannot completely remove that person from your life with a snap of your fingers. At the end of the day, life is complicated and although it is tempting to believe you can separate the past from the present, move on and make a fresh start, unfortunately, in most cases life just continues onwards, even if you do make a few adjustments to the direction you're heading.

Is it Possible to Have a Fresh Start?

When life gets on top of you, it is tempting to think you can take a break from everything and start afresh. It is why so many people make New Year's resolutions. There is this idea that a new year is the ideal time to make a fresh start. You commit yourself to the idea of losing weight, changing jobs, getting fitter, finding a relationship or some other significant change which will have a bearing on your life. There is nothing wrong with deciding to do something that could improve your situation, but look at how many people fail to achieve their objectives. By the time it's February the motivation to stick to a diet or hunt for a new job wanes and, generally, the inclination is to give up.

Not everyone waits until the New Year to make a fresh start, but whatever time of year is chosen, there is a belief that you can almost break from the past. However, if you've struggled with your weight all your life, dieting one minute and overindulging the next, what are the chances that this time is going to be any different? You can't just erase what went before. That doesn't mean you can't achieve success, but when you look at weight loss, many people lose weight only to gain it back again. Unless you do something to fundamentally address your lifestyle and the way you see yourself, deciding that you need a fresh start is unlikely to lead to success.

Making a fresh start doesn't have to relate to your weight or appearance. It might be that you want to escape - to move somewhere else and find a new job; to socialise more and meet new people. If you're not happy with the person you are, getting out of town may give you an opportunity to change, but there are certain aspects of yourself that are immutable. If you're an introvert, you're not suddenly going to turn into an extrovert and seek out human companionship. You may not be happy that you're perceived as a loner, but if it feels that mixing with other people is more hassle than it's worth, then it's going to be impossible to find the motivation to change.

Leaving home gives you an opportunity to establish yourself as someone different, but you can never really escape your past. It might be possible to designate the changes you make in your life as a 'fresh start,' but in most cases you can't just completely overhaul your life without carrying some baggage with you. You can change the scenery and your friends, but you're still shaped by events in your life and the people you've come into contact with. It's not as though you can erase all your memories and thoughts and start from scratch. However, if you're unhappy with your situation, it is surely better to attempt to make changes to your life than to continue feeling miserable, even if it isn't a completely fresh start.