If you wish for a new beginning, you must focus on certain aspects of your life.

Dan Matthews, a Certified Psychosocial Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP) with an extensive background in community-based rehabilitation, advised to not compare yourself with others. Instead, he suggested to take a hard look at one’s own life to identify and focus on the facets that they hope to change.

Benilde Well-Being Center (BWC) of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde understands and recognizes that starting over does not happen immediately.

From the professional observations of Matthews, the team has compiled 12 brief yet powerful tips to restart at square one:

1. Always learn something new

Try to expand your horizons. Be competitive in diverse career fields. Pursue further education. Enroll in online classes. Participate in workshops.

2. Take steps to face your fears

Fear and apprehensions of the possible outcomes affect our decision-making. These may result to missed opportunities. Do not be afraid to take risks within reason.

3. Maintain a meaningful social circle

Identify the circles and relationships that positively affect you. Initiate conversations. Meet interesting people. Make new friends. Nurture both new and existing networks.

4. Find ways to cope with anxiety

Choose a healthy activity that helps relieve your anxiety. Do it in moderation. It may be reading, writing, exercising or even watching Netflix. Engage in new hobbies.

5. Become part of a movement

Allot time and energy in a cause you feel passionate about. Participating in a group that contributes to the common good can make a big impact in your life.

6. Take ownership

Free yourself with passivity. Believe you can rely on yourself. You don’t have to give up anything in your life to regain control over it. Be the captain of your own ship.

7. Pay attention to your dreams

Dreams can unravel sensible hopes and fears. But consider that these are products of life forces that we cannot truly comprehend. Thus, it is best not to base your life decisions on these.

8. Unplug to tap into creativity

Technology creates mental fatigue. It leaves little energy for creative processes.
Engage in interesting offline activities. Spend more time in nature. It allows a certain part of your brain to be refreshed.

9. Challenge comfort zones

Discover what you are capable of. Step out of your comfort zone. Focus on your next attainable goal.

10. Practice daily mindfulness

Incorporate practices such as meditation, yoga, journaling, or breathing exercises into your daily routine. Take deep breaths at your desk amid a stressful work day. It lowers blood pressure and helps regain your mental focus and clarity.

11. Assess your budget

You need to know what your financial limits are. Plan and set up a budget.

12. Manifest goodness

Target a new version of yourself. Create a vision board. Revisit this to remind yourself of your goals.