Have you ever wondered what life would look like if you could start over, armed with all the wisdom and experience you’ve gained? It’s a powerful thought experiment that can lead to profound insights and positive changes.
What would a new you look like?
I know, you’ve worked hard to get to where you are today. You’ve achieved a lot, built a reputation in your field, and developed an identity through which you view and understand your world.
Well done! Now, …Could you let it all go?
Sometimes, life forces us to start anew—losing a job, watching savings evaporate, or saying goodbye to a loved one. While painful, these events can become catalysts for reassessing our priorities and focusing on what truly matters.
Why wait for a life changing event to change our lives?
Wouldn’t it be insightful, even as a thought exercise, to imagine yourself starting anew? To ask: If I were embarking on life’s journey today, what paths would I choose?
Could you, for a moment, disconnect from the person you’ve become or who you believe yourself to be? Could you imagine moving to a different country, for example? Or starting out in a new field? A new career, a new place to call home? A new you?
Can you imagine a version of you that’s yet to be discovered?
The Mental Reset Exercise
This exercise invites you to temporarily disconnect from your current identity and imagine a fresh beginning.
The catch? You’d retain all your knowledge, abilities, experiences, and wisdom. You’d still have your circle of friends and family and those with whom your connection goes beyond the transactional. You’d have what is fundamentally you, without all the extra fluff.
With this clean slate and your accumulated resources, ask yourself:
- What direction would you choose today?
- Which roads would you avoid?
- What decisions would you approach differently?
- What passions would you pursue more vigorously?
- Which relationships would you nurture or choose to let go?
What would a new You, with all your learning and none of your baggage look like?
Would you drop off the grid and move to a quiet and peaceful suburban community? Or would you take a leap of faith and head into a bustling jungle of a city? Would you work harder? Or would you realize that it’s time to slow down and enjoy life more? What passions would you pursue? What investments would you make? What lifestyle would you care for? Which friends would you keep? And, who would you be relieved to never see again?
A chance to turn the page and start fresh.
Every time I do this exercise or ask one of my clients to go through it, priorities and true ambitions rise up from among the clutter, and a sense of clarity replaces the day-to-day confusion.
People who have felt stuck for years, begin to talk about long lost dreams and ambitions. Mistakes that lived in the “guilt archive” are moved over to the “lessons learnt” folder. Truths that have been hiding in the shadows of our minds step into the light.
The idea of changing our lives can feel overwhelming. Remember, this is a thought experiment designed to provide insight, not to demand drastic immediate changes. Approach it with curiosity and openness.
What would a Day in the Life of the New You Look Like?
We tend to accumulate habits and routines over time that may not truly represent the life we want. Start by imagining a typical day in your life. If you were to plan a new day, according to the new you, what would it look like? What time would you get up? How would you start your day? What would you do more of? And would you do less or not at all?
Putting It Into Practice
- Find a quiet moment for undisturbed reflection.
- Visualize yourself free from current norms and expectations.
- Ask yourself the questions posed above.
- Write down your thoughts without judgment.
- Reflect on what surprises you about your answers.
We don’t need to wait for life-altering events to reassess and realign our lives. This powerful mental exercise offers a proactive way to gain clarity, rediscover passions, and make intentional choices about our future.
Your Turn
What choices would you make if you were starting out from scratch today? Share your reflections in the comments below. Who knows? Your words might be the spark that ignites someone else’s fresh start.
