How Many Times Can You Start Over?
Short answer: As many times as it takes.
So, you made a plan. You wrote it down, gathered every ounce of commitment energy you could summon, and for a moment, you never felt more sure of yourself. Wiser. Stronger. Ready to transform. And then—three days later—you’re not just back at square one; you’re at square negative five, carrying the weight of self-betrayal. Because breaking a promise to yourself stings in a way nothing else does, after all, if you can’t trust yourself, what kind of trust do you believe in?
Is commitment real if choice is involved? We like to think that when we decide on something, that’s it—decision made, no turning back. Iron-clad plans shouldn’t come with an escape hatch. And yet, we secretly carve one into the walls of our resolve—a hidden revolving door leading us right back to the comfort we swore we’d outgrown.
Why do we do this?
Short answer: We don’t want to make ourselves sad.
Long answer? It’s deeper than just discomfort. Choosing discipline—whether it’s a salad over a burger, saving instead of spending, or choosing peace over retaliation—can trigger a strange kind of sadness. That sadness isn’t weakness; it’s actually proof that your brain is working exactly as it should. Our minds are wired to protect us, to maintain balance, and keep us feeling rewarded, safe, and at ease. So, when we try to disrupt that cycle, our brain fights back, nudging us toward what feels familiar and soothing. Even if "soothing" means staying in patterns that no longer serve us.
And that’s where the real problem lies. If your current programming is built around habits that are keeping you stuck, your brain will keep running those habits like a perfectly functioning app—just with the wrong data.
Imagine a burger factory where all the machines work, the employees are on task, but instead of cheese on the conveyor belt, someone loaded up shredded wood chips. The process is still running, but the final product is useless.
Your brain isn’t the problem. The programming is. And programming is your job.
Your brain doesn’t get to choose what it feeds itself—you do. Your jurisdiction lies in your hands, feet, mouth, eyes, and ears. With your five senses, you get to decide what ingredients you’re feeding your mind, and those ingredients determine the quality of the life you build.
So, let’s ask ourselves these questions this week:
What can I do with my hands?
Where can I go with my feet?
What can I speak into existence—for myself and others?
What can I watch?
What can I listen to?
What actions can I take today that will give my brain the right data to build the life I say I want?
Because it’s a partnership. Your brain does the processing, but you control the inputs. And when we take ownership of something, we naturally care for it better. That’s why you should never beat yourself up for starting over—whether it’s your tenth try or your millionth.
You are in the best position possible to begin again—this time, with a new understanding of what real success looks like. It’s not about what you think—it’s about what you do. Change your actions, and your thinking will follow.
Challenge this week:
Guard your ear, eye, and mouth gates. Keep them filled with things that uplift, inspire, and align with your higher self. If you wouldn’t listen to it, watch it, or say it in front of Jesus—give yourself permission to refrain.
Better living is your birthright. Let’s conquer this week together!
