3 Simple Tips for When You’re Ready to Begin Again

Sarah Brumley

Sarah Brumley

Ever feel like life hit pause on all your best intentions? The routines you worked so hard for are no longer in place, the budget’s drifted, and suddenly you’re left wondering if you’ve lost all your progress? You’re not alone. Today we’re talking about what it really means to begin again—without pressure, without perfection, and with a whole lot of grace. So if you’ve been waiting for the perfect time to reset… this is your invitation to start right where you are. Let’s get started.

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3 Simple Tips for When You’re Ready to Begin Again

Well hey there and welcome back to the Financial Fix Up Podcast. I’m your host, Sarah Brumley—and let me just say, it is so good to be back with you today.

It’s been a bit, hasn’t it? And if your summer has looked anything like mine, then you know how life has a way of shifting when we least expect it.

Routines get disrupted. Priorities change. And sometimes, even the things we love—like this podcast—have to be set aside for a while.

So before we dive into anything else, I just want to speak something over you that I’ve had to remind myself of lately:

You are not behind.

You’re not failing.

You’re just living real life.

And real life can be messy and beautiful and exhausting—but it can also be a place where we’re invited to begin again. Not with pressure or perfection.

So that’s where we’re headed in today’s episode: I’m not offering a dramatic comeback or a pressure-filled “new you”, just a fresh start, a gentle reset, and a reminder that you don’t need to wait for perfect conditions or perfect motivation to begin again. You can start right here, right now.

Step #1: Seasons of Slowing Down Aren’t Failures

Let’s start with something that might feel obvious—but is so easy to forget when we’re in the thick of it.

Sometimes life just… slows us down.

Not because we want it to, but because we have to.

Maybe it’s the pressure of changing schedules.

Maybe it’s burnout creeping in after too many months of running on empty.

Maybe it’s unexpected responsibilities that showed up and rearranged everything.

Or maybe you’ve been walking through something heavier—grief, transition, loss, or simply the quiet ache of unmet expectations.

Whatever the reason—when life gets heavy, we hit pause.

  • We cancel plans.
  • We stop tracking every dollar.
  • We order more takeout.
  • We lose momentum in the places where we used to feel strong.

And somewhere along the way, we start asking the question:

“Did I just undo all my progress?”

If that’s you—I want to pause right here and let you know that: Slowing down does not mean you’ve failed.

It means you’re human.

We weren’t created to hustle nonstop.

We weren’t built for constant output and never-ending to-do lists.

Even God—who could have created the entire universe in a single breath—chose to build rest into the rhythm of creation. Six days of work. One day to stop, step back, and simply be. Before He ever commanded rest, He modeled it.

And sometimes? We need that reminder. Because if God—who never grows weary—paused…

Then we, with all our limitations and emotions and real-life needs? We’re allowed to pause, too.

So maybe the past few weeks—or months—have felt like one big interruption. Maybe your good intentions got sidelined by exhaustion or chaos or just plain survival. But hear me clearly: A season of pause doesn’t mean you’re off track.

In fact, it might be the very season that’s preparing you for what comes next. Just because you stopped doesn’t mean you lost everything. Resting doesn’t erase your progress. It might actually protect it.

Step #2: It’s Okay to Start Small

That brings me to my second point and that is that it’s okay to start small. Because, once we get the motivation to begin again, especially after a season of pause, it’s tempting to think we need to do it all. We’ve been sold this idea that starting over has to be dramatic.

We want the full reset. The immediate transformation. The clean slate with all the systems and routines and perfectly color-coded calendars.

You know the drill, right?

  • Buy the new planner.
  • Deep clean the entire house.
  • Give up sugar.
  • Start waking up at 5 am.

And while we’re at it? Let’s also revamp the budget, meal prep for the month, and overhaul the bedtime routine.

And honestly, is it any wonder we give up by day two?

There’s this quiet pressure in our culture that says if it’s not all fixed now, it’s not worth starting.

But here’s what I’ve been reminded of lately—and maybe it’s for you, too: We don’t need to make everything shiny and perfect to begin again. We just need to take one faithful step.

Lamentations 3 says this: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

That line—new every morning—stops me every time.

  • Not new once you have a system in place.
  • Not new after you finally catch up.
  • Not new when everyone else is proud of you.

New. Every. Morning.

That means no matter how many times you’ve started before, today still counts. You get another try. Another breath. Another act of courage.

And maybe your new beginning doesn’t look like a big overhaul. Maybe it’s quiet, small, or behind the scenes.

But what if small wasn’t second-best? What if it was exactly where you needed to start?

Maybe today that looks like:

  • Writing down your top three priorities on a sticky note
  • Drinking a glass of water before your first cup of coffee
  • Choosing grace when you’re five minutes late for the school drop-off
  • Folding one load of laundry instead of stressing about six

These things might feel too simple to matter. But they do. Because every time you take a step toward intention–even a tiny one–you’re moving forward.

And forward progress? That’s what really matters.

Step #3: You’re Not Starting Over—You’re Picking Back Up

If we’re being honest, beginning again often feels like a burden we shouldn’t have to carry. Like if we were stronger, more disciplined, or just “better at life,” we wouldn’t be here again.

We treat restarts like shame markers. That inner voice whispers: “Ugh. I can’t believe I’m back at this place again.”

But let’s call that what it is: a lie. Because the truth is–you’re not starting from scratch.

You’ve grown since the last time. You’ve weathered storms, carried things no one else sees, and shown up on days that felt impossible.

You’ve learned what works for you, and maybe more importantly, what doesn’t. You’re not the same woman who tried before. You’re wiser now, stronger, and more aware of your capacity, your values, and your needs.

So beginning again isn’t weakness, it’s resilience. It’s saying, “This still matters to me. I’m not where I want to be yet, and I might be a little worn down–but I’m willing to try again anyway.”

And in a world that often celebrates hustle and hustle alone, that quiet courage is brave, powerful, and worth honoring.

Take the Next Step

So, as we wrap up today’s conversation, I want to offer you a quiet challenge–nothing big or flashy. Just this:

Pick one area of life to begin again.

That’s it. Just one.

Not because everything is fixed or you suddenly have more time or energy, but because one small step is all it takes to shift the momentum.

Maybe for you, that step is taking 15 minutes to check in on your budget–just enough to see where you stand.

Maybe it’s jotting down three simple dinners for the week so you’re not making decisions at 5 pm with an empty fridge and a hungry family.

Maybe it’s setting a bedtime reminder–not for your kids, but for you.

Whatever it looks like, I want to encourage you: Don’t try to fix everything at once. Just take the next right step.

Make it small. Make it doable. And most importantly—give yourself grace.

This podcast is one of the things I’m choosing to begin again. Not because everything’s finally lined up perfectly or I’ve nailed a system or figured out how to do it all, but because I still believe that small, faithful steps matter. And I believe they matter for you, too.

So, if you’re stepping into this new month feeling unsure, behind, or just plain worn out–I want you to hear this clearly: You are not alone in this restart. Let’s begin again–together.

Thanks so much for spending this time with me today. If this episode encouraged you, would you take a moment to share it with a friend or leave a quick review? It helps so much—and it’s a beautiful reminder that I’m not the only one picking things back up.

Whatever you decide, just know I’m cheering you on! You’ve got this! Have an amazing day and I’ll chat with you again next time.

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