Introducing Star in Starting Over
By: Carley Centen
Tags: Growth Mindset, Life Lessons, Personal Development, Starting Over, Resilience

I know how to start over. When I considered what I might write about and remembered the old adage to ‘write what you know,’ this is the first thing that popped into my head.

Some fresh starts have been my own decisions. It took me six years to finish my first degree because I changed programs — twice. I lived in three different countries in five years. More than once, I landed in cities of millions of people where I didn’t know a single person. On average, I changed jobs every year or two, tried on several different career paths, and worked in different sectors from bureaucratic government agencies to charities trying to balance doing good with balancing the books, to private sector start-ups.

Other now-what moments were forced upon me. Shortly after buying a house and finally feeling rooted, my partner of nearly eight years left. I was once again apartment hunting. Navigating the world of dating apps that hadn’t existed the last time I was seeking a partner. Questioning whether to stay in a country I moved to for love, or return to my home country to be closer to family.

Despite all of this change, I know I am happiest when I have roots. Community. Routine. Strong, deep relationships. The feeling of familiarity that comes from knowing all the best shortcuts and from bumping into someone you know on the street.

So I don’t detail the twists and turns of my path to date with pride or to even recommend it. Whilst I’ve always tried to make the best decisions I can at the time, this starting over business is difficult stuff.

This past summer, after a solo travel break, I moved to a new city where I didn’t know a soul to at the same time start a new career path that is one of the most uncertain you can embark on. And there have been times I have stood in IKEA, trying to wheel an over-filled cart to the checkout, lamenting the fact that I couldn’t pick up more in one trip on my own, feeling like I’ve never been so alone and wondering if I can do it again. Set up my fifth home in the past decade. Patch up another broken heart and put myself out there again. Rebuild my community. Face the coming setbacks and failures and small victories as an independent creative.

But if all this starting over has taught me anything, it’s that things rarely work out as you plan them. The future vision in your head can suddenly have a hole in it. What you’re doing might not be working and requires a change. You will encounter times you need to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and try again, no matter how much you try to control the outcome or prepare for it.

Adaptability and resilience are key to the speed at which things are changing in our lives. This publication will explore what these concepts mean.

How can you be robust against the difficult stuff? When adversity inevitably hits, how do you not only weather the storm, but use it as an opportunity to grow even stronger? What can you learn about the stories of people who have done it?

Star in Starting Over aims to explore these questions. Expect themes to include things like self-awareness, relationships, and purpose. No matter what hits you in life, and whether you’re at a crossroads or want to head one off, these are the ideas and tools that can help when the only way out is through.

If you’re interested in being part of this project and have a story to tell or an idea to share, see our submission guidelines.

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