How to Start Over

Step 1

Fall apart. Throw stuff away. Panic.

Step 2

Realize you have good people in your life, and that you still have responsibilities. Breathe.

Step 3

Find people you wish you were like. Look at what they are doing. Realize that you don’t have to live your life the way other people expect you to. Keep breathing.

Step 4

Take a shower. Eat something tasty and healthy. Get three nights of really good sleep. Realize that you’re still breathing, and that it’s not as hard as you thought to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Step 5

Put on the Natasha Beddingfield song, Unwritten. Play it loudly. Sing along a few times. Feel like a total idiot. Be amused at being a total idiot. Remember that most people are total idiots. Remember that most people would feel like total idiots singing this song loudly, even those smart people you want to be like. Feel solidarity with fellow human idiots.

Step 6

Pick something new that you’ve been wanting to make, learn, or do, and get started. Become comfortable with being a total noob. Realize that everyone sucks when they start. Be proud of yourself for sucking, because you at least got started.

But some gold star stickers and give yourself one for leveling up. Level 1: accomplished.

Step 7

Win at all the things.

You’re welcome.