Begin again
Mansur's Musings

Making progress is hard. Starting over again, building yourself up from nothing in any area of life, is a feat. Like climbing inch by inch towards the summit of Everest.
If you’re starting from scratch or thinking about it – whether it’s a breakup or divorce, changing careers, starting your own business, taking better care of your health, or moving somewhere brand new where you don’t know anyone – know that you are doing something many people wouldn’t dare do. You are willing to put your faith in yourself. You are choosing a path that is as rewarding as it is challenging.
As I write this, I’m coming out of an emotionally charged evening. I shared things with another human being that I had barely admitted to myself. Fears and insecurities that have been increasingly heavy to carry around. It left my eyes feeling raw and my heart tired. You see, lately I’ve been struggling with the changes and the pace of starting over.
I began writing professionally only a few months ago, and as much as my progress looks good on paper, and I’m enjoying my new career immensely, I do still lie awake some nights feeling left behind. As if I should be further along, like I should have made more money by now, or have better connections. And I’ve been feeling these things, not because I think I deserve to skip ahead without putting in the time, effort and dedication, but because it feels like I should have figured this out sooner. That somehow, it should’ve occurred to me earlier in life that writing is my path. Afterall, many other people my age (29) have been working within the same industry or field for a decade by now, and here I am starting from scratch. But the thing is, it’s nigh impossible for me to have known that I’d be a writer.
This is how life has turned out up until today. And at some point, we need to stop marvelling at the newness, hitting ourselves for a lack of foresight we could never have had and move on.
The winding road that has been my life ultimately turned me into a writer. Without the challenges, obstacles and courage to reimagine what I could be, I wouldn’t be writing the words you’re reading now. And it’s likely you wouldn’t have connected with them enough to read this far either.
So, this column is dedicated to everyone who has started over or began something new this year, no matter your age. The people who have chosen to start living the life they always wanted today, instead of leaving it for tomorrow. You are my champions and my guides, my mentors and friends. I applaud you and stand with you in those moments of quiet doubt. I see you.
And to anyone who is thinking to themselves right now that they’re scared to take that next step, worried about what people might think or whether it will be worth the risk. Trust your gut, trust your heart, and there’s no need to rush. There is always a new day and the rest of us will be here to cheer you on whenever you’re ready.
Thanks for your honest reflections.
Thank you Aliyah,
Yes change really is an important topic.
Your whole life you might say what if ??? Keep trying to pay attention to your heart’s desire.
Life IS change