Tips for Getting Started on a New Beginning
Many of us are celebrating not just the start of a new year but also a new decade. And with such a change comes a lot of looking back and tacking stock–of careers, relationships, clothes in our closets, and more. Everything is up for contemplation! No matter the shape or desire of your new beginning in 2020, getting started is often the hardest part.
Perhaps your closet is overflowing and you want to purge things you don’t need that are creating physical and emotional/mental clutter. Or you may feel now is the time to focus on a career change, a city move, or leaving a toxic friendship. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the idea of a new beginning and you aren’t sure where to start, we have some handy tips below. We hope these help you start your new beginning!
Start small with a clear list
If you’re a writer and you’ve ever stared at the blank page on your computer screen, you know how paralyzing it can be. Or if you’ve faced a storage unit packed full of things you don’t want or need anymore, just looking at the amount of change that needs to happen can feel absolutely daunting. But stop right there! You don’t have to think about the full, BIG picture right away. Start small.
Try making a list of clear, basic tasks that you can do to get started. Keep them low in complexity and with a distinct deadline. If your new beginning is about finding a new job, set a small task such as Research organizations I’m interested in and then set a timer of 30 minutes to 1 hour. Are you trying to organize your life? Then pick the smallest drawer or cabinet in your home and start there.
You’re more likely to feel good and continue with your new beginning if you start small and have small wins. Those good feelings will build and help you prepare for the larger ones down the road.
Start journaling or make a vision board
When we tackle changes in our lives, it’s easy to get lost in the ideas and not know where to begin. Especially when it involves big personal changes. But a great way to help you focus is to get your ideas out of your head and into a visual space. Consider starting a journal and writing down your ideas about what you want (and what you don’t want). You don’t have to write for a long time, either. Just 10-15 minutes a few times a week can make a huge difference.
Tip: if you’re feeling stuck about where to start writing, just pull some cards from How Do You See The World? and jot down your answers. It’s a great and easy way to get your mind on the right track of thinking about how you really feel.
If writing doesn’t appeal to you, then make a digital vision board. Simply save images that you come across to a folder on your computer, making sure they embody things about the change that you want. Maybe it’s motivational words, someone with the career you desire, or a particular clothing style you admire. Any visual representation that shows where you want to be is good!
Once you have all your images, you can make a collage in Adobe Illustrator or with a free service like BeFunky. Once you have that visual representation, you’ll be able to see what really matters to you and that will help you focus on next steps.
These might seem like small tasks, but if you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed at the idea of tackling a new beginning, try one of these. Starting small is still starting. Good luck on your new beginning!