Have you ever felt the weight of starting over pressing down on your shoulders? That overwhelming feeling when you know it’s time for a fresh start, but you can’t seem to find the energy to begin? Trust me, I’ve been there. Starting over isn’t always pretty—it’s humbling, sometimes messy, but ultimately necessary. After taking an extended break at the beginning of the year (which lasted way longer than planned), I found myself struggling with the very concept of beginning again. But here’s what I learned through my journey back to productivity.
The Retreat from Routine
January came with all those typical “new year, new me” expectations. I had grand plans to hit the ground running, tackle my goals head-on, and make this the most productive year yet. Instead, I found myself retreating into a self-imposed hibernation. Not because I was lazy, but because I simply wasn’t ready.
During this “rotting season” (as I’ve affectionately named it), I lived like a bit of a recluse. I wasn’t completely unproductive, though. I managed to:
- Read several books that had been collecting dust on my shelf
- Celebrate another birthday (getting older is inevitable, right?)
- Dabble in some neglected hobbies
- Occasionally venture into the outside world
Despite these small accomplishments, something interesting happened. The longer I stayed away from my regular routine, the more intimidating it became to return to it. What started as a well-intentioned break morphed into a struggle to do anything productive at all.
The Daunting Mountain of Unfinished Projects
My home became a physical manifestation of my mental state—half-finished projects everywhere. Frames sitting on the floor for months, piles of things waiting to be organized, and empty walls begging for attention. Each item represented something I had started with enthusiasm but eventually abandoned when my energy waned.
The corner of my living room had been home to those thrifted frames for the better part of a year. Some cost as little as $14, but their value wasn’t in the price—it was in the potential they represented. They waited patiently alongside prints from Staples that I’d purchased to match them, all part of a gallery wall vision I couldn’t quite bring myself to execute.
Building Momentum from Zero
I’ve been reflecting on what it really means to build momentum from nothing. There’s a universal truth I’ve discovered: the longer you wait to pick something back up, the harder it becomes to start again.
Early in the year, overwhelm was my constant companion. I questioned if something was fundamentally wrong with me—why couldn’t I just get started? The answer, I believe, was simpler than I thought. I needed to return to basics.
When you feel stuck, simplify. Break down the mountain into pebbles, and just pick up one.
It’s a common belief that you need to know everything before taking the plunge, but I’ve found the opposite to be true. The doing comes before the momentum. You can’t expect to get anywhere if you never start the car.
The Art of Just Beginning
So with that philosophy in mind, I decreed that rotting season was officially over. It was time to get it together, starting with tackling those home projects I’d been avoiding.
Project #1: The Gallery Wall
Those frames weren’t going to hang themselves. Armed with minimal experience but maximum determination, I dove into creating a gallery wall. First, I experimented with adding texture to my prints using matte Modge Podge—something I’d seen in DIY videos but never tried myself.
I brushed the solution onto the prints, creating a faux painting effect that added dimension and interest to otherwise flat images. As they dried, I could see the texture developing, and for the first time in months, I felt a spark of creative satisfaction.
If you’re struggling with creative blocks like I was, “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert was a game-changer for me. She talks about embracing curiosity over fear and pursuing creativity for its own sake rather than perfection. It’s the perfect companion for anyone navigating their way back to creative living after a period of stagnation.
Project #2: The Sideboard Solution
For the adjacent wall, I found a sideboard on Amazon that matched my existing shelf. This wall had been a particular pain point—I’d been using a tiny whiteboard for ideas but constantly ran out of space. The vision was to transform it into a “story wall” where I could organize my thoughts more effectively.
After a quick tutorial on using a drill, I mounted the sideboard and added a picture light above it. Small wins, but they felt enormous after months of inaction.
The Inevitable Setbacks
No journey back to productivity is without its hiccups. While assembling my frames, I encountered a series of mishaps:
- Discovering pictures were too small for frames after removing dozens of staples
- Accidentally stepping on and shattering glass (note to self: wear shoes during DIY projects)
- Questioning all my life choices midway through the project
The layout planning took much longer than expected, and at one point, I wondered if one large frame might have been easier than the gallery wall I’d envisioned. But I persisted.
The Missing Piece
After mounting most of the frames, I noticed a gap—a space that needed just one small frame to complete the composition. Feeling defeated, I cleaned up and put away my tools, thinking I’d have to live with the incomplete wall for a while.
Then came the moment of serendipity. While organizing another room, I spotted a forgotten frame sitting on my shelf. It was exactly what I needed—the perfect size for that empty spot. Sometimes, the universe provides what you need exactly when you need it.
With renewed enthusiasm, I completed the gallery wall. The satisfaction of seeing it finished was worth every frustrating moment.
Lessons in Starting Over
I used to believe that by my mid-twenties, I’d have everything figured out. Now I understand that life is full of cycles—getting it together, falling apart, and starting over again. Each time we face this cycle, all we really need to do is take that first step.
Starting over isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about:
- Breaking down intimidating projects into manageable tasks
- Celebrating small victories along the way
- Accepting that imperfect progress is still progress
- Recognizing that momentum builds after you begin, not before
My gallery wall isn’t perfect. I still have “a lot more plans for this office,” as I put it. But that’s okay because I’ve broken the inertia. I’ve remembered how to start.
Finding Your Fresh Start
If you’re in your own version of “rotting season,” know that you’re not alone. Whether you’re procrastinating on home projects, creative endeavors, career moves, or personal goals, the principle remains the same: start small, but start.
Choose one thing—the easiest, most appealing item on your list—and begin there. Don’t worry about doing it perfectly. Don’t concern yourself with how long it might take. Just begin.
Your fresh start doesn’t need to be at the beginning of a year, month, or even day. It can be right now, in this moment, with the smallest possible action toward what matters to you.
FAQ: Starting Over After a Break
Q: How do I overcome the overwhelming feeling when facing multiple unfinished projects?
A: Choose just one project to focus on first—ideally something small that can give you a quick win. Complete that before moving on to the next. Breaking the cycle of inaction with even one small accomplishment can provide the momentum you need for larger projects.
Q: Is it normal to feel like starting over gets harder the longer you wait?
A: Absolutely! This is a common psychological phenomenon. The longer we avoid something, the more power we give it in our minds. The key is to start with tiny steps that feel manageable rather than trying to jump back in at full capacity.
Q: How do I know when it’s time to end my “rotting season” and get back to productivity?
A: Listen to yourself. Rest is necessary and valuable, but you’ll often feel a subtle internal shift when rest has served its purpose. When you start feeling more restless than restful, or when you begin to feel curious about your projects again, it might be time to gently ease back into action.
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