Have you ever hit a point where you paused something important to you? Maybe you started building a skill, cultivating a habit, or chasing a dream, and somewhere along the way, life happened. You got distracted, overwhelmed, or maybe even discouraged. And so, you put it aside, promising yourself you’d return to it later. Only, “later” turned into days, weeks, or even years. Sound familiar? I know it does for me.
The truth is, we’ve all been there. Whether it’s an unfinished book, a language we started learning, a fitness routine we paused, or a creative hobby that fell by the wayside, there’s something in the back of our minds calling us to get back to it. The good news? It’s never too late to start again.
Let’s unpack why it’s so easy to stall progress, how to rekindle that momentum, and why this might be the best decision you make today.
Why Do We Stall?
There are many reasons we stop pursuing what’s important to us, and most of them are deeply human:
- Overwhelm: Sometimes, the task seems so big that we don’t know where to begin again.
- Perfectionism: We might think, “If I can’t do it perfectly, why do it at all?”
- Fear of failure: Starting again means facing the possibility that we might struggle or fall short.
- Life’s demands: Work, family, and responsibilities can easily push personal growth to the bottom of the list.
And let’s not forget one sneaky culprit: comfort zones. When we pause something challenging, we often fill that space with easier, more familiar routines. But growth doesn’t happen in comfort zones.
The Best Time to Get Back to It is Now
There’s no perfect time to start. You won’t wake up one day with more time, fewer responsibilities, or the perfect conditions to pick up where you left off. But the good news is, you don’t need perfection—you just need action.
Here’s a powerful truth: progress is better than perfection. Every small step forward is a step closer to becoming the person you want to be. And the longer you wait, the more you’ll regret not starting sooner.
How to Get Back on Track
Restarting doesn’t have to be intimidating. Here are some practical steps to help you pick up where you left off, without the overwhelm:
1. Start Small and Manageable
Don’t aim for the moon right away. If you stopped exercising, begin with a 10-minute walk instead of a full workout. If you paused writing, jot down a few sentences rather than trying to draft an entire chapter. The goal is to ease back in with small wins.
2. Make It Fun and Enjoyable
Remember why you started in the first place. What made it exciting? If it’s a skill, find creative ways to practice it. If it’s a habit, add a reward system to keep yourself motivated. The more enjoyable it feels, the easier it will be to stick with it.
3. Focus on Progress, Not Perfection
Release the idea that you need to get it “right” or achieve instant results. Growth takes time, and every small step you take matters. Be kind to yourself and celebrate progress, no matter how small.
4. Set Realistic Goals
Break your goal into smaller milestones. For example, if you want to learn guitar, commit to practicing just 15 minutes a day. Small, consistent efforts compound into significant results.
5. Create Accountability
Tell someone about your goal. A friend, a coach, or even an online community can help keep you on track. Sometimes, the simple act of sharing your intention with others makes you more committed.
Why You’ll Thank Yourself Later
Imagine looking back on your life years from now. What would you regret more: the time you spent trying, failing, and learning? Or the time you spent hesitating, wishing you had started?
One of the greatest human regrets is not doing what we wanted to do or saying what we wanted to say. But here’s the thing: you still have time. You can still pick up that dream, habit, or skill and make progress today.
When you take that first step, something beautiful happens: momentum. Small actions build confidence, and confidence fuels even bigger actions. Before you know it, you’ll be back in the rhythm, wondering why you waited so long to restart.
A Gentle Reminder
Life isn’t about being perfect or achieving everything on a strict timeline. It’s about growth, resilience, and staying true to what matters most to you.
If you’ve been waiting for a sign to get back to it, this is it. Pick up that book, revisit that goal, or rekindle that habit. Start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can. The only wrong choice is not trying at all.
Your future self will thank you—or maybe you’ll thank me for this reminder. Either way, the best time to start is now.
So, what are you waiting for?
Get back to it.
