"I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again."
These words are more than just a poetic sentiment. They’re a rallying cry for anyone who feels stuck in a life that doesn’t align with their values.
For women leaders, in particular, the reminder to stop, reflect, and recalibrate is both empowering and necessary.
I was reminded of this recently by one of my clients, a courageous woman whose story continues to inspire me.
A Seemingly Perfect Life
A few years ago, she came to me at a crossroads. On the outside, her life appeared enviable, even ideal. She had scaled the professional ladder in her industry, enjoyed the respect of her peers, and had a future filled with what many of us would call “success.”
Yet beneath the surface, something was wrong.
She confessed that while she had achieved everything she was told she should want, she wasn’t proud of the life she was building. She found herself chasing goals that felt hollow. She was constantly saying “yes” to things for the sake of duty or prestige and felt a deep pull toward something more meaningful. When the opportunities for growth and authenticity arose, she turned them down in fear of failure or shaking the status quo.
She described her life as a cycle of comfort and fear. And while it was secure, she felt as though it was pulling her further from the person she truly wanted to be.
The Turning Point
It wasn’t easy for her to confront these feelings. We live in a world that praises busyness and success, often silencing the voices urging us to pause and assess whether we’re heading in the right direction.
She found the courage to stop. She decided to look honestly at her choices—not with judgment but with curiosity. When she did, the truth came to light. Her life wasn’t misaligned because she was incapable or unworthy; it was misaligned because her actions no longer matched her core values.
It was a humbling revelation, yet that moment of clarity became the foundation for her transformation.
How She Started Over
Rebuilding a life you’re proud of doesn’t happen overnight, and it doesn’t require grand, sweeping gestures. For my client, the process began with small, intentional steps.
1. Saying “Yes” to Values-Driven Opportunities
She started by identifying what truly mattered to her—creativity, authenticity, and serving others in meaningful ways. From there, she began saying “yes” to opportunities that aligned with those values, even when they felt uncomfortable.
It wasn’t pleasant to step out of her comfort zone. Yet slowly, those moments of discomfort contributed to her growth.
2. Seeking Mentors and Supportive Communities
She recognized the importance of surrounding herself with people who encouraged her growth and aligned with her values. She sought out mentors she admired, joined communities of like-minded individuals, and leaned on her support network.
These relationships not only helped her stay accountable; they also reminded her she wasn’t walking this path alone.
3. Allowing Herself to Fail
One of the most significant shifts in her mindset was giving herself permission to fail. She reframed failure from being an endpoint to being a steppingstone. Every misstep became a valuable lesson, which helped her refine her direction and build more confidence in her decisions.
4. Trusting the Process
Perhaps most importantly, she learned to trust that change takes time. There were days when her progress felt invisible, yet she kept moving forward because she believed in the life she was building.
Months later, her perseverance and courage began to pay off.
A Life She’s Proud Of
Recently, she reflected on her transformation and shared how grateful she was for the courage to start over. Today, she leads a life she’s proud of—one that aligns with her values and feels authentic to who she is.
She’s not simply chasing goals anymore; she’s pursuing purpose. She’s no longer saying “yes” out of obligation but out of conviction. And while the process of starting over was anything but easy, she wouldn’t trade it for anything.
What About You?
If you’re reading this and feel that quiet voice inside you saying, “This isn’t the life I want to live,” I encourage you to listen.
It’s easy to bury those feelings under layers of busyness and obligation. It’s easy to convince yourself that starting over is too hard or too late. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s words hold a truth that can’t be ignored—it’s never too late to begin again.
You don’t need to have all the answers now. You don’t need to tear down your life and start from scratch. What you need is courage. The courage to pause, reflect, and ask yourself one simple question:
“Am I living a life I’m proud of?”
If the answer is no, remember this client’s story. Starting over isn’t a sign of failure—it’s a testament to your strength and commitment to living a life of integrity and purpose.
One Small Step
Change doesn’t happen in an instant, and it doesn’t have to. What’s one small step you can take today to move closer to the life you want? It could be opening up to someone you trust, reevaluating a professional goal, or simply allowing yourself to explore what truly makes you proud.
Whatever it is, start now. Your future self will thank you.
Work with me
If you’re ready to find your courageous self and live a life you’re proud of, click here and pick a time when we can talk. I would be honored to walk this next chapter with you.
