Starting Again

Let’s be honest. Falling off the path happens. You miss a few workouts, your meditation app gathers dust, and that book you swore you’d finish is now buried under laundry. Life gets loud, and your goals—once so clear—start to feel like distant echoes.

But here’s the truth: starting again isn’t a failure, it’s a skill.

In fact, it’s one of the most important skills you can cultivate on your journey toward health, growth, and self-leadership. Because the path isn’t linear – it’s cyclical and messy.

So, if you’ve fallen off track—whether it’s your fitness, your nutrition, or your sense of self—this is your invitation to begin again, not with punishment, not with perfection, but with presence.

“But Coffee Talkers,” you ask, “how do I start and what about the guilt, shame, and disappointment?” Well, our tired but imaginary friend, here’s the Coffee Talker’s gentle guide to getting you back on track.  

First, drop the shame. Seriously. Shame is not a motivator—it’s a weight. American academic and podcaster Brené Brown reminds us that “shame corrodes the very part of us that believes we are capable of change.” You don’t need to earn your way back. You’re allowed to return simply because you want to.

Second, start small. Really small. One walk. One glass of water. One page in your journal. One conscious breath. The nervous system loves predictability and safety—not grand gestures. So, instead of overhauling your life overnight, build momentum and trust in yourself through tiny, consistent actions.

Third, reconnect with your ‘why.’ Not the surface-level “I want to lose weight” or “I should be more productive.” Go deeper. What does movement give you? What does growth feel like in your body? What kind of person are you becoming when you show up for yourself?

Fourth, expect resistance. It’s normal. Your brain is wired to conserve energy and avoid discomfort. That voice telling you to wait until Monday? That’s not laziness—it’s fear dressed up in logic. Acknowledge it, thank it, and move anyway.

And finally, remember—you are not behind. You are not broken. You are not the only one who struggles to stay on track. You are a human being doing your best in a world that often pulls you in every direction but inward.

So, today, let this be your gentle reset. No drama, no declarations—just a quiet recommitment.

Until next time,

Scott and Lennart