You can start a new life by contemplating what you want to start over. Do you want to start a new life because your relationship or marriage just ended? Do you have to move out of town or abroad? Maybe you want to start a new career or a new lifestyle? Maybe you lost your house to a fire or natural disaster? In any case, starting a new life means making changes. Doing new things often feels scary because you will experience different conditions that you are not familiar with. Starting a new life takes courage and determination. However, you can do it with hard work and dedication.
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Method 1 of 2: Preparing for a New Life
Step 1. Determine what you want
Maybe you want to start a new life because you want to make a change or because you have to, for example because of a tragic event that damaged your home, work, or relationships. However, the first step to starting over is knowing what your purpose in life is.
- Even if you have to start a new life with a heavy heart, prioritizing the important things you have to do can be very helpful. You will feel more confident and optimistic about building a new life by setting clear goals and what you must do to achieve them.
- Determining exactly what you want allows you to think about what needs to be paid attention to, and determine what you can change.
Step 2. Consider the consequences
If this change was your own choice, it's worth taking the time to think about all the consequences.
- Big changes in life are usually difficult to return to the way they were before. Think carefully about what you will gain and what you will have to give up for starting a new life.
- For example, maybe you're thinking about selling your house and moving to another city. A lot of new things in a new place, but after your house is sold, owning a new home may not be as easy as you think.
- Breaking up with an old friend or family member may create a rift that is difficult to mend if you ever want to contact them again.
- But that doesn't mean you can't start a new life or make big changes. It's just that, make a decision after you consider it carefully.
Step 3. Find out the problem
If starting a new life was easy, everyone would be doing this at any time. The many obstacles that must be faced is one of the reasons it is difficult to make major changes in life. Take time to think about what might be holding you back so you can develop a plan to work around it.
- Maybe you want to move and start a new life in another city or country. Determine which aspects of your life will be affected. If you want to move to a faraway place, are you ready to leave your current community and friends and adjust to a new environment? Compare your current and new living costs. Can you fulfill it? Are there any job openings for you? Moving to another country requires more thought and planning. Find out whether you need to get permission to move or work at your destination. Also, finding housing, currency, banking, and transportation will be very different from what you're used to today.
- If you don't have enough savings to stop working and start a new life while surfing (or whatever your dream is), keep working. Not that you should stop dreaming, but there are obstacles you need to think about. Make plans that are practical and realistic.
Step 4. Make a plan
Think about what you need to do to reach your goals and start a new life. Take time to sit down and write your plan, even if you have to draft it many times before you can consider different ways.
- Divide your life into several main aspects that you want to change, for example, you want to have a new career/work, move residence, have a new lover, new friends, etc.
- After that, set priorities for each change in every aspect of life and choose the most important aspect.
- Think of practical ways to start a new life. Consider the steps needed, the availability of funds, the support of others in your life, and the energy needed to make changes.
- For example, if you want to change careers, determine the steps you need to take and the aspects of your life that will be affected. Family, friends, education, salary, duration of travel to work, and hours worked can be variables that will change in your new life. Do your best to anticipate the impact that will occur in various aspects of life because of the changes you want.
Step 5. Take time to revise your plan
Maybe you need to make a "life plan" a few times. After you've put together a plan and put it aside for a while, new things will pop up that you may feel the need to omit some points from the original plan.
- Do not rush. After adding, subtracting, and prioritizing aspects of your life, break this big plan into smaller plans with easier information and tasks.
- During the process of preparing for a new life, review your plans frequently and make revisions if necessary.
Method 2 of 2: Creating a New Life
Step 1. Complete all the affairs well
Usually, you have to clean up your financial condition first before starting a new life. Maybe you will often call or come to financial institutions. Everyone will try to stay out of trouble, but getting finances done as early as possible will make things easier.
- For example, if you want to start a new life because you lost your home in a fire, contact your insurance company as soon as possible so you can take care of it and receive compensation.
- If you want to retire early, contact a pension fund management foundation to find out which program is right for you.
- If you lose your job, try to find a new job so you can develop a career.
- All of these things will be far from luxuries and pleasures, but these are actions you must take to ensure the availability of the resources you need when starting a new life.
Step 2. Start a new routine
Next, establish a new routine for yourself that can help you put your plan into action. This way will feel easier once you apply a different behavior in your new life.
- For example, maybe you are used to getting up early or prefer to work from home instead of going to the office. There are so many aspects that will be affected and the changes you can make when starting a new life.
- There are changes that happen because you decide where you will live, what you will do, plans to study again, have children or a partner, and in the end, what kind of life you want.
- It will take you three to six weeks to get into the new routine and replace the old routine. After that, you will get used to doing the new routine.
Step 3. Focus on yourself
Don't compare yourself to others. Your journey is your own decision.
- Focusing on what you don't have or on the success of others only leaves you disappointed and self-deprecating. Do the best with what you have to start a new life.
- Wasting time just comparing yourself to others distracts you from the things you should be doing to achieve your goals.
Step 4. Ask for help
Starting a new life is a big job that will be easier if someone else is there to provide support. Whether you are starting a new life on your own or forced by circumstances, having social support can be very beneficial.
- Emotional support from family members, friends, and others who are going through a similar situation can reduce stress as you start a new life.
- Moreover, if you are starting a new life because of a loss or a tragic experience, it's a good idea to seek help from a health professional. You will recover faster if you get help from a trained and compassionate therapist.
- Even if you want to change your life, for example by moving to another city, a counselor can help if you're having trouble adjusting. You could be under a lot of stress, feel very depressed, or worry about how to live your new life. Mental health professionals are trained to listen, empathize, and help you find comfort so you can work on your issues.
Step 5. Be patient
A new life cannot be realized in a short time. Recognize that changing and doing things differently is a process. Not all aspects of this process are under your control.
Time is an important factor in adjusting to your new life. If you believe in the process, a new life will manifest and you will be able to adjust
Tips
- In many ways, figuring out what you want and sticking to a plan is the best way to start a new life. Just like running a marathon, you don't decide you want to run a marathon and then run 40 km the next day. Make a plan and gradually increase the distance each week.
- Be flexible. Don't give up easily if you don't succeed. Change things that aren't quite right, revise your plans, and keep trying.
Warning
Think carefully before making any major changes in your life. There is a saying: "the bridge you break you can't necessarily rebuild". The life you left behind, you may not be able to have anymore
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