How to Reframe Your Story – The Myth of “Starting Over”
I have a beautiful forest green peace lily in my office that’s grown so big it’s starting to fall over.
The signs are clear: It has outgrown its current container.
Now, it’s time to find a larger pot and give it fresh soil—more space for the roots to stretch and new nutrients to support its next stage of growth.
I’ve done this before. Many times.
But do you know what I’ve never said while moving a plant from one pot to another?
Not once have I thought, “Well, back to square one…”
Of course not. We don’t see repotting as starting over—because it isn’t. It’s a natural, necessary part of a plant’s growth.
Do you see where I’m going with this?
Your career is the same. Moving into a new role, industry, or way of working isn’t erasing your past—it’s creating the conditions for your next chapter to flourish.
And what’s good for the lily…is good for you.
Career Talk: How to Reframe Your Narrative
Until recently, we believed that our brain cells are fixed in adulthood, but neuroscientists now know the brain stays flexible throughout life. And like other parts of your body, you have to stretch your brain to improve its flexibility.
You can start by stretching your brain past its comfort zone (making it more receptive to change) with these affirmations:
“I’m not starting over—I’m evolving.”
One of the biggest fears in making a career change is the belief that it means going back to square one. But that’s not true—everything you’ve done counts. You’re not a beginner. You’re experienced and courageous enough to grow in a new direction.
“I don’t know how to do this…yet.”
Why do some people seem to easily navigate massive change, while others struggle? The difference doesn’t lie in external circumstances, but in your mindset, and a growth mindset can make all the difference.
“It’s not quitting—my work here is complete.”
Quitting and completing both mark the end of something, but they come from different mindsets. You’re able to leave your role with a sense of accomplishment when you reframe your work there as “complete.”
Career Change: The Myth of Starting Over
Letting go of old containers doesn’t mean you’ve failed—it means you’ve outgrown them. It means you’ve flourished.
The truth? You’re not starting from scratch. You’re building on a strong, established root system—one that can keep you grounded through uncertainty and change.
I’ve gathered the best tips to help you stay rooted, so you can keep on flourishing—wherever your path leads next.
Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Letting Go – Podcast Series
In Season 9 of The Flourish Careers Podcast, we continue our heartfelt conversations with each contributing author of the best-selling book Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Letting Go.
This week, we’re exploring the grief that can come with being let go, not for performance but for politics—and how to navigate it with strength and self-compassion.
Because letting go isn’t about loss—it’s about making space. Space for new possibilities, deeper alignment, and the next chapter of your growth.
I’m so grateful to share these conversations with you. They’re a meaningful reminder that careers are rarely linear, and no matter what you’re going through, you are never alone.
Supportive Ecosystems
Ready to replant yourself in a new environment?
Fried to Flourishing Career Change Partnership is designed to help you let go of a job you’ve outgrown, so that you can bloom into something more aligned.
Fried to Flourishing Career Change Partnership
A comprehensive experience in making meaningful career change
Want more career wisdom? Check out these podcast episodes/blog posts!
+ Spring Cleaning Your Career — Declutter, Simplify, and Energize
+ Career Cleanse: How To Detox Your Mind, Body, Spirit, And Space For A Flourishing Worklife
+ Discovering Purpose in Your Career Featuring Denise Wolf
For more insider stories, quick tips, and #CareerTalk, I invite you to connect with me on Instagram @flourish.careers.
