New Year, Fresh Start

IN COLLABORATION WITH BETTERSLEEP

The #1 App That Helps You Fall Asleep In Minutes

BetterSleep, the 5 star app that focuses on helping users sleep better and feel better daily.

Build and layer a unique personalized mix from over 300 unique sounds such as: green noise, ocean waves, heavy rain, arctic storms or even background bustle in a city cafe! Use sound science to send yourself to sleep and improve your restlessness.

By building your perfect dreamy soundscape and watch your sleep and your mornings improve in just 7 days!

Try it tonight!

YOUR FRESH START

Today is a new chance to start fresh—no matter how yesterday went, you’ve got this.

But here’s the hard truth you’ve been avoiding: You’re not stuck—you’re scared.

A new year = new opportunities. But for some reason, have you ever noticed that many love to reinstate their old New Year's Resolutions instead of venturing into uncharted waters? I’m sorry to say, but recycling resolutions just stalls your forward momentum. 

Sure, dusting off the same old goals feels cozy, but let’s be real: that comfort zone is where growth goes to die. 

This annual ritual can often be arbitrary or repetitive, leading you to abandon your goals by Valentine’s Day. 

Let me guess: each year, your motivation star shines bright in the beginning, only to fizzle out shortly thereafter. The excitement dies, and the comfort of your old routines kicks back in. 

Instead of setting unrealistic, unattainable, or generic goals for the umpteenth time, stop lying to yourself by pretending that things are going to change when you keep doing the same things over and over again. 

Start this New Year off right by setting realistic, achievable resolutions that refresh your mindset and reinvigorate your motivation meter.

To avoid getting sucked into the loop of repeating the same behaviors:

1. Give yourself permission to reflect on your past to identify areas you’d like to improve. 

2. Reset your way of thinking to proactively overcome self-sabotaging thoughts or behaviors. 

3. Finally, take intentional, actionable steps you can easily measure as you progress toward achieving your big goal. 

It’s time to wake up. You deserve so much more than the same old routine.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

DEEP DIVE

Reassess, Redefine, and Conquer

You’re terrified of failing. You’re afraid to find out what’s on the other side once you break free from your old habits. 

Shoving your goals aside is the same thing as tethering yourself to your old routines, and it prevents you from evolving.  

If you’re struggling to set realistic goals or are feeling frustrated by a recurring New Year Resolution you have yet to conquer, stepping back and reassessing your goal and your plan of action to achieve said goal could be the simple step you need to take to succeed this time around. 

Stop Reinstating Goals. Start Reassessing and Redefining Them.

There is a laundry list of reasons people don’t accomplish the goal they set for themselves at the beginning of the year. Some resolutions are pulled out of thin air in the final hours of December 31st. Others are based on what we think we should do (instead of what we actually want.) But, frankly, the most common reason is that your goal is simply too vague. 

To ensure your goal is doable, you need to assess what it is that you really want.

For example, Saying 'I want to be healthier and lose weight' is about as clear as muddy water. Compare that to: 'I’ll exercise for 30 minutes three times a week, and ditch my daily energy drink for a nutrient-packed smoothie.' That’s the difference between wishful thinking and a real plan. 

Short-Term Goals = Long-Term Success

Big dreams don’t just land in your lap—this isn’t a Disney flick. If you want that dream body, job, or home, break it into small, doable steps and stay on them. That’s how you turn wishes into real-world wins. 

Short-term goals are the secret weapon for turning your dreams into reality. Bite-sized goals do not replace your long-term ones—they simply provide you with a clear path to success. 

For example, let’s say you want to buy a house. You’ve done the research and realize you need to save an additional $10,000 for the down payment on your dream property. The idea of saving $10k can easily overwhelm even the best earners. 

Stop freezing at the site of the number, and start small. Instead of putting pressure on yourself, you can break it into small steps - how about saving $200 a week? Voila. 

By setting small, manageable goals, you can see yourself inch closer to your big goal, making it easier to stay motivated, take action, and move forward. 

Remember, baby steps = big impact. 

Brace yourself for bumps along the way.

Life is.. life. Things happen. You will face challenges. Period.  

I’m a person who always expects the unexpected. I try to reserve my resilience for the inevitable roadblocks that will pop up along the way. 

Successful people have a plan for obstacles before they even surface. 

As annoying as obstacles are, they’re usually pretty predictable. You must have a contingency plan in place to confidently hop over these hurdles. 

Monitor Your Momentum By Measuring Milestones.

Accountability isn’t just a buzzword. Accountability - true, honest, authentic accountability is a game-changer. 

If you're an Instagram doom-scroller, I’m sure you think you’re qualified to be an accountability coach by now. But here’s what Instagram isn’t telling you: Accountability isn’t just identifying and admitting your faults – it’s about learning from your mistakes and adjusting accordingly. 

Without accountability, it’s easy to coast on the bare minimum—then wonder why you’re stuck. If you’re settling for ‘just enough,’ you’re basically agreeing to stay right where you are. Step up, own your progress, and give yourself a shot at something bigger.

If you’re ready to bite the bullet and dig deep, utilize progress trackers. 

To be accountable and stay motivated, measure your momentum with tools like apps, calendars, charts, or pledge partners. If you’re not tracking your progress, you’re literally lying to yourself. 

Employ Self-Empathy Throughout the Process.

Here’s the deal: You will mess up.

Mistakes are inevitable. And wins should be celebrated. 

Let’s face it. Sometimes the person we speak least kindly to is ourselves. Amiright? And I know for a fact that being my own harshest critic has never gotten me to where I’m going any faster. And it just makes me feel crummy along the way. Same? 

Instead of internally beating yourself up, try to talk to yourself with the kindness and understanding you’d offer your closest friend. 

When things aren’t peachy keen – remember that failure is part of the process. It’s what you do next that matters most. 

On the flip side, as you hit milestones, you should be celebrating. 

Does every milestone require a big blowout? No. But you can grab a sweet treat, take a quick weekend getaway, or simply break for an impromptu dance party after you knock out one of your major milestones! (Word to the wise: Dance like no one’s watching!)

Celebrate your wins, no matter how small. Otherwise, you risk not having enough fuel in the tank to chase after the next one. 

Need a Hand Resetting Your Goals?

Ready to stop letting fear and comfortable behaviors dictate your life? The perfect condition may never come – so the time is now. This is your moment. You’re more capable than you think. 

If you need help defining attainable, manageable, crystal-clear goals, download the Starting Over Toolkit™ today! This interactive roadmap gives you all the real, actionable steps to build your next chapter on your terms, starting right NOW!

You’ve got this!

QUICK HITS

🎯 Why Changing Your Goals Is The Goal

Find That ‘Fresh Start Energy’ Here →

✅ 55 Attainable New Year’s Resolution Ideas

Get the full list →

💡 Tips For Tackling Your New Year’s Resolution

Dive in →

🚧 Overcoming the 5 Most Common Obstacles Blocking You From Reaching Your Goals

Read More →

💖 Employ Self-Empathy Along Your Journey

Learn How Here →

📋 Accountability Tools You’ll Actually Use

Discover Them Here →

📈 Breaking Big Goals Into Small Steps

Uncover The Process  →

WEEKLY CHALLENGE

It’s time to get unstuck, push past fear, sail past self-doubt, and dive directly into the next phase of your life. If you don’t break free from your comfort zone, you’ll continue to spin in place. The time to act is now, and the place to start is with your bite-sized goals. 

Here’s your assignment:

1. Define Your Big-Picture Goals:

Step back and take a look at your broader vision. Stop hiding from your true desires, and get real with yourself. What do you truly want out of life? It’s time to get focused. 

2. Break Your Big-Picture Goals Into Quarterly Tasks: 

Sitting, hoping, waiting, and wishing doesn’t get you far. Instead, take that big-picture goal and break it down into smaller chunks- quarterly or monthly bite-sized chunks. Each quarter can be viewed as a checkpoint you can use to track your progress. 

3. Define 3-5 Specific Tasks For Each Quarter: 

Vagueness is the number one killer of New Year resolutions. Get clear. Define specific tasks that you can act on. I’m not saying to design easy steps – they must be realistic and have deadlines attached. This is the key to staying actionable. 

4. Define How You Will Track Progress: 

If you’re not tracking your progress, how do you know if what you’re doing is working? (Hint: you can’t.) Don’t guess. Find a system that works for you- there’s no right answer- and commit. Talk about accountability! 

5. Review and Reassess:

No need to track if you don’t review - and then do something with the information. Reviewing and reassessing your goals and their outcomes regularly is the cherry on top. Adapt accordingly.

COMMUNITY CORNER

You’re not stuck—you’re scared. You've been waiting for the "perfect moment" to change your life, but it's time to face the truth: the perfect moment doesn’t exist.

The Starting Over Toolkit™ is your no-fluff, step-by-step guide to breaking free from fear and designing the life you’ve always dreamed of. For less than your fancy coffee shop order, you’ll get crystal-clear clarity, actionable steps, and a 30-day action plan to turn your dreams into reality.

Stop waiting for conditions to be perfect. Take the first step today—because if not now, when?

FINAL THOUGHTS

Anything worth having is worth working for. Asking for.

Self-reflection, redefining your big-picture goals, and outlining actionable steps to reach them are how you set yourself up for success.

Change can be scary. But if you’re willing to look within and do the work, nothing is impossible. 

Stop reverting to old ways of thinking or falling into habits that are counterintuitive to what you really want. Instead, redirect the energy inside that tells you you “can’t” and use that to spark a fire inside that reaffirms you WILL.

Start Over Kitty & The Permission to Start Over Team

WANT TO SUPPORT PERMISSION TO START OVER?

We’re a women-owned, small business on a mission to inspire and empower you to embrace new beginnings with confidence and optimism. It means a lot to us that you let us in your inbox every morning. Here are a few ways you can support this newsletter.

Share Start Over Daily and spread the word. Let’s build a movement, one fresh start at a time. Here’s a unique referral link: https://permissiontostartover.com/subscribe?ref=PLACEHOLDER

Reply to this email with content ideas, good news, or encouragement—we read every message!

Advertise your brand in Start Over Daily. Send an email to [email protected] for more information.