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Not seeing family for two-plus years, uncountable losses through grief-stricken COVID-19 deaths, experiencing isolation from our usual social pathways, and I could go on and on with the many reasons a fresh start sounds delicious.

Starting new does not have to involve changing everything. Sometimes starting with one small shift can inspire and spark changes in other areas of our lives.

I personally am a moon flower and look to the wisdom the moon offers for guidance and next steps. According to the Libra Full “Pink” Moon that just passed, and the dark moon at the end of the month, there is no time like the present to kick-start a fresh start!

The following are five easy-to-follow action steps that will help inspire your next phase:

1. Learn New.

We are what we eat, read, speak, think about; the lessons and content we consume are like tiny seeds planted in our minds. They root in and grow stronger. When we introduce our minds to new ideas, thought forms, and favorable outcomes, we can open our eyes and hearts to new possibilities and find inspiration from others who have creatively gone before us.

Just as essential, we can benefit from changing the information we take in so we aren’t focusing on the same data. We must check in with what we are consuming. Constant streams of debates, political uproars, and conspiracy theories do an excellent job of feeding anxiety. Streaming feel-good videos of puppies and random acts of kindness will inspire us to do the same.

Action step: assess what information you are reading, watching, and listening to, and search for new hashtags and topics on your social media, so your algorithm feeds you positively. Go pick up a book, open it at random, and read the first sentence that meets your eyes. There is your actionable message.

2. Mindset Check.

Carol Dweck is a researcher who came up with the concept of fixed mindset versus growth mindset. She explains how the two impact behaviors and performance:

“In a fixed mindset, students believe their basic abilities, their intelligence, their talents, are just fixed traits. They have a certain amount and that’s that, and then their goal becomes to look smart all the time and never look dumb. In a growth mindset, students understand that their talents and abilities can be developed through effort, good teaching, and persistence. They don’t necessarily think everyone’s the same or anyone can be Einstein, but they believe everyone can get smarter if they work at it.” ~ Carol Dweck

Action step: assess your mindset in whatever way suits you; listen to a mindset podcast, become aware of your thoughts, and evaluate yourself. If it calls, join me for Full Moon Fresh Start, and I will give you a process to evaluate your mindset and shift it if necessary.

3. Shift Your Environment.

The inner 20-something-year-old in me who used Feng Shui to change her life loves this one. When we move our stuff, we can change our lives. How we define our space shapes our identity. We can decorate, organize, declutter, add clutter, and create our homes and rooms to support a fresh start. Moving furniture in our rooms can almost make our spaces feel new, supporting a fresh kick start. Sometimes, it benefits us to create a more significant move and transition homes, cities, or even states (of course, in a healthy way that is in reason and not running away).

Action step: imagine the future you—their actions and words. See your future self in a space that feels delightful, safe, supportive, and inspiring. Then check in with your space to feel how it compares. You can create a room that inspires you, move furniture in a room that snags you, ensure you love the artwork and decor on the walls, and maybe even just change decor locations. Ask your future you if you would feel inspired by your current environment, then make the necessary changes.

4. Change a Habit.

Changing or initiating one small habit can and will change our lives. If we are working toward a fresh start and want change, we have to commit every day to have that start and embody who we were born to be. We can find an opportunity to shift when we start by looking at how we spend the first few moments of our days. As Hal Elrod, author of The Miracle Morning, shares:

“How you wake up each day and your morning routine (or lack thereof) dramatically affects your levels of success in every single area of your life.”

Even one small change in a habit tends to have a ripple effect, so be okay starting small. For example, my commitment to moving my body for 20 minutes in the morning often turns into 45 or 60 minutes because I am there, dressed, and ready to go. My five-minute meditation practice can often be 20. Our future self is encoded in our habits and routines, and if we want a fresh start, we can all benefit from refreshing our patterns and habits.

Action Step: look at your current daily rituals and routines. Assess where you see yourself in a year, or even five. Then ask yourself, “Does my current routine support where I am going.” From there, make a change. Change one small habit, and see the ripple affect.

5. Support and Accountability.

Any change, shift, transition, or journey is easier when we have accountability. A friend, mentor, family member, or a community of like-minded people can help us to stay on track, even when we lose a bit of focus. Equally important, while people in our life can be our biggest cheerleaders, they can also be our biggest villains if we let them. It’s also essential to ensure the people we surround ourselves with are positive and helpful and effectively communicate (which involves compassionate listening—we don’t always need advice givers).

Action step: find your people; make sure you have 3-5 supportive people to be on regularly scheduled check-in calls with, discuss your changes, receive feedback, and who can help you make progress in your fresh start. If you could benefit from the community and don’t know where to start, I can’t say enough about getting more involved with this Elephant Journal community through their signature programs. You can also connect with me and my built-in community of empathic people who care about leading an optimal life in my free community here.

Right now is an exceptionally delightful time to have a new fresh start. While the change you may be seeking might not be perfect, fast, or super clear, it is all possible. And with the tips offered above, you will kick-start your fresh start!

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