A toast to beginnings

Mary G
3 min readMar 27, 2023

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Note: this is my first article. As a creative soul, I am flooded with ideas — sometimes paralyzing. That’s why I decided to write about this topic — I see it as me talking to myself — sounds familiar? Let me know if it resonates with you as well.

Beginnings are complex. Beginnings are powerful.

Photo by Sasha Freemind on Unsplash

They mark the start of something new, a fresh chapter in our lives — sometimes because we want to, sometimes because it is the only way to move on, and sometimes we need to live it again because we didn’t learn from past experiences.

Beginnings offer us the opportunity to redefine ourselves as human beings.

Beginnings can also be daunting. We may feel uncertain, frozen, nervous, or overwhelmed by the unknown. We may fear failure, criticism, or rejection. We may even question our own capabilities and whether we’re truly ready to take on this new challenge.

The fact is: we are never 100% ready!

However, I like to think that beginnings are also filled with a lot of potential, dreams, and hopes.

They offer us the chance to take risks, learn new things, and grow as individuals. They offer us the chance to heal, overcome nightmares, and say out and loud that we are capable, no matter what.

With them, we can explore our passions, pursue our dreams, and create a life that deeply aligns with our values.

A life that we really believe in and want to live.

Okay. I know it is easy to say, but how to put it into practice?

  • Embrace the unknown: Focus on one day at a time. The beginning of a new journey is filled with anxiety, with uncertainty — that’s for everyone. Rather than fearing, embrace it as an opportunity to learn, grow, and expand your horizons. Take each step/ each day with curiosity and an open mind, and be open to unexpected opportunities and challenges. The truth is: practice won’t be 100% exactly as planned — and that’s okay.
  • Set (a few) clear goals: Before starting a new chapter in your life, take some time to reflect on what you want to achieve. What are your priorities? What values do you want to embody? What steps can you take to get there? Setting a few clear goals can help stay focused and motivated, even when the road gets bumpy. A tip: the more beginnings are aligned with who we are, the easier it will be.
  • Don’t push yourself too much: Beginnings can be challenging, and it’s easy to be hard on ourselves when we make mistakes or encounter setbacks. Looking for perfection is useless and frustrating. However, it’s important to treat ourselves with kindness and understanding. Remember that it’s okay to stumble and that each misstep is an opportunity to learn and grow. Focus on the goal — you will get there!
  • Stay close to who supports you: It’s definitely harder to navigate beginnings alone. Not impossible, though. Seek a support system of friends, family, or professionals who can offer encouragement, kind words, advice, and perspective. Note: they may not always agree with you, but remember, they are here to give you clarity and support. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and your potential, and who will be there for you through the ups and downs. You don’t need support from the whole country, just a few are more than great.

It depends on us to create a great atmosphere for beginnings, don’t you think so?

Beginnings offer us the opportunity to create a new narrative for our lives and to improve ourselves no matter what the outcomes.

Beginnings can also be transformative and life-changing.

So, let’s raise a glass to new beginnings! To the exciting and unknown journey ahead of us, to the opportunities that lie waiting, and to the person we will become as we step into this new chapter of our lives.

Let’s toast to the courage and resilience it takes to start fresh, to the risks we take, and to the learning and growth that come with every new experience.

May we embrace the unknown with an open heart, and stay kind and patient with ourselves as we navigate the ups and downs of this adventure.

If you like it, don’t forget to follow for more articles.

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Mary G

Creative and self learning soul. After a burnout from my 9-5, I shift from the life I like to the life I love. I share my learnings to inspire and heal.