Feeling stuck or unsure of where you’re going? I’ve been there.

Whether you’re feeling trapped in the life that you’re living, you don’t feel as though you have enough control anymore, or you’ve found yourself thrown into a situation where everything is uncertain and unfamiliar, there will come a time when you need to make a fresh start. Starting over is one of those things that truly terrifies a lot of people, which makes them try to ignore it. But hiding your head in the sand won’t make all of your problems disappear. The only true way to make the most of a fresh start is to confront it head-on. Here are a few ways you can do that.

Find a new home.

Sometimes the only way to make the fresh start that you really need is to find somewhere new. Maybe that means moving to a different home in your current city, or it could be moving across the country! Changing your environment gives your life a whole new context and meaning that you might have been missing. Of course, that comes with stress of its own. Whether it’s finding the right mortgage through sites like homeequitylineof.credit or trying to navigate the complex world of home renovation, moving to somewhere new can be stressful – but also incredibly exciting. It gives you a new place to call home, free of your past burdens. (However, if you are currently in a bad financial situation, I do not recommend this, as moving is expensive and will likely compound your problem.)

Find a new job.

Outside of the place you call home, few things have as much of an impact on people’s lives as their job. After all, you’re probably going to spend the vast majority of your life working. Why settle for something that doesn’t make you happy? Of course, what a job needs to be in order to make you happy is going to be incredibly personal. You might want something that offers you more time with your family, or maybe you need personal and creative fulfillment in order to love your job. Whatever it is, make sure that you’re making the right choices for you every time.

Find new people.

Even if you’re an incredibly independent person, the people around you are always going to be an important and impactful part of your life. That’s why it’s so crucial that the friendships and relationships around you are as healthy and supportive as possible. If you find yourself in toxic relationships, then there’s nothing wrong with simply walking away from them. You have to do what’s best for you, and an unhealthy social life is only going to make you miserable.

It’s important to remember that a fresh start doesn’t need to be a negative thing, regardless of the reasons behind it.

As scary as it can be, there’s nothing to say you won’t be able to find some genuine good in the changes coming your way. Oftentimes the things we’re afraid of turn out to be some of the best changes in our lives. Take time to figure out exactly what this new change means for you, and find the good in it.

What big changes have you made in your life this year? Tell me about them in the comments below!