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It’s Not Just You: Why Restarting Feels So Hard After a Break
By Nahid — Trexera.space
Have you ever tried to restart something you once loved doing — only to realize it feels ten times harder now than it did the first time?
I have. Many times.
Whether it’s getting back into writing, reviving an old hobby, restarting a workout routine, or even rebuilding consistency in my work… I’ve noticed a strange truth: restarting often feels tougher than starting from scratch.
And if you’ve felt this too, trust me — it’s not just you.
🧩 My Own Struggles with Restarting
I remember when I paused writing content for a while. At first, I thought, “No big deal, I’ll just start again when I’m ready.” But when that day finally came, it felt like a mountain stood in front of me.
Suddenly, I wasn’t just writing — I was battling doubts:
- Will my words still flow the way they used to?
- What if I’ve lost my spark?
- Do I even have the discipline anymore?
That hesitation, that self-questioning — it was louder than when I first began. Back then, I had no expectations. But restarting meant carrying the weight of what I used to do, and what I thought I should still be capable of.
Sound familiar?
🔎 Why Restarting Feels So Hard
Through my own reflections (and a bit of psychology digging), I realized there are a few reasons why restarting is such a struggle:
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Expectation vs. Reality
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When we restart, we compare ourselves to our past self. If I wrote daily before, I expect myself to do the same now. That comparison makes every step feel heavier.
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Lost Momentum
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Habits are like muscles. The longer we leave them unused, the weaker they feel. Restarting isn’t just beginning again; it’s rebuilding momentum from zero.
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Fear of Failure
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Oddly, it feels scarier to “fail” at something we once did well than to fail at something new. It touches our pride.
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The Comfort Zone Trap
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Ironically, doing nothing feels safe. Restarting means discomfort. And our brains love avoiding discomfort.
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💡 The Vocabulary of Restarting
When I think about restarting, a few words always come to mind:
- Resistance: That invisible force pulling us away from what we want to do.
- Discipline: The bridge between intention and action.
- Momentum: The energy that makes habits feel effortless once we get going.
- Resilience: The courage to keep showing up, even after long breaks.
- Renewal: What restarting really is — not repeating the past, but refreshing it.
🌱 How I Make Restarting Easier
I won’t lie — I still struggle. But here are a few things that help me (and maybe they’ll help you too):
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Start ridiculously small.
Instead of aiming for 1,000 words, I write 100. Instead of an hour workout, I do 10 minutes. Tiny wins rebuild confidence. Detach from your past self.
Who you were then and who you are now are different. Don’t compete with the old version of you — collaborate with the new one.-
Focus on consistency over intensity.
Restarting isn’t about going fast; it’s about showing up daily, even in the smallest way. -
Celebrate progress, not perfection.
Every restart is proof that you haven’t given up — and that’s worth more than perfection.
🎯 Final Thoughts
If restarting feels heavy, know this: it’s supposed to. You’re not broken. You’re not lazy. You’re just human.
I’ve learned to see restarting not as a failure, but as a form of growth. Every restart is a chance to redefine, relearn, and rebuild — with more wisdom than before.
So if you’re standing at the edge of a restart right now, don’t wait for the “perfect time.” There isn’t one.
Take the smallest step today. Because the only way to make restarting easier… is to begin.
👋 What’s something you’ve been meaning to restart?
Drop it in the comments — maybe saying it out loud is the first step forward.
— Nahid
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