Starting over is often seen as a failure, but it shouldn’t be. In fact, starting over can be a powerful tool for growth and success. Especially when it comes to crafting or trying out new hobbies, we tend to get frozen with fear to have to start over or make mistakes. It’s okay to be bad at something, as it can be a positive experience!
Fresh Start
One of the biggest benefits of starting over is the opportunity for a fresh start. Whether it’s in your personal or professional life, starting over can help you leave behind any negative experiences or mistakes and give you a chance to start anew. It can be scary to walk away from something you’ve invested time, money, and energy into, but sometimes it’s necessary for your own well-being and success. A fresh start can give you a new perspective and renewed energy to pursue your goals and dreams.
Sometimes, the materials or project just wasn’t meant to be. There have been countless times where I’ve frogged a knitting project and had to start anew. With such a flexible craft where a single ball of yarn means endless possibilities, usually the yarn will need to tell you what it will become.
For instance, I have had this yarn pictured below for years. I think it’s been attempted to be used in two other projects before we agreed on what it would become. Usually, the pattern just doesn’t work out for the yarn, and the vision in my head doesn’t come to fruition.
Learning and Growth
Another reason why starting over can be a good thing is that it allows you to learn and grow. When you start over, you have the opportunity to reflect on what went wrong and what you could have done differently. This self-reflection can help you identify areas for improvement and develop new skills and techniques. Starting over can also help you build resilience and develop a growth mindset. Instead of seeing failure as the end of the road, you can see it as a stepping stone to something better. There’s no better place to learn these lessons than in knitting or crafting!
The other perspective I have on this topic when it comes to learning and growth includes just starting this blog! I quit my job in 2022, jumping into starting my small business and taking on interior design clients. As I continued to work throughout the year and ultimately got pregnant, my love for the field drifted. I remember when I left my day job, my boss asked if I was starting a business based on my knitting. That seed never really left my brain after that, and as I continued to grow distanced from that current career path, I started to explore options for making my love of fiber arts and interior decor a career for myself. Doing so I was able to bring my small business knowledge and marketing skills into this new venture without the added start up research.
Embracing Change
Lastly, starting over can help you embrace change. Change is inevitable in life, and it can be scary and uncomfortable. However, when you start over, you are actively choosing to embrace change and take control of your life. You are showing yourself that you are not afraid to take risks and try new things. This can be a powerful mindset shift that can help you navigate other changes and challenges that come your way.
Starting over can be a positive thing. It can give you a fresh start, help you learn and grow, and allow you to embrace change. So, if you find yourself in a situation where starting over is the best option, don’t be afraid to take the leap. Remember, starting over is not a failure. It’s an opportunity for growth and success.
