The Decision to Begin Again
🎵 Listen to the “Begin Again” Theme Song While Reading
Just writing this title makes me pause. Maybe it’s the leaving everything behind part. Maybe it’s the begin again part. Or maybe it’s both.
It’s tempting to frame this as an escape—a lament for what’s gone wrong. But that wouldn’t be honest. I’m not running away. I’m running toward something.
Something only I can name.
This is my Begin Again Journey—a conscious reset, a chance to reinvent myself on my own terms.
Taking Life in Gulps, Not Sips
Life has always been about taking gulps, not sips. The slow, measured approach has never suited me. As aging reminds me that time to experiment is finite, I lean harder into reinvention—not as a cheap thrill, but as a deep compulsion.
Call it curiosity. Call it ignorance. Call it the same foolish optimism that led me to misinterpret the Army’s recruiting slogan:
“Join the Army. See the World.”
I saw the “See the World” part and missed the “Join the Army” part. Reality corrected my misunderstanding.
I have lived many lives—as a veteran, an entrepreneur, a father, a traveler. I’ve set foot on five continents, thirty-seven countries, and witnessed the underbelly of the military machine. I’ve survived the loss of a child and the unraveling of relationships. Each experience has shaped me, a culmination of moments and choices, some deliberate, others dictated by fate.
So no, leaving everything behind isn’t new for me. It’s a ritual. A practice. I have a two-move rule—if I’ve moved twice and haven’t used something in a box, it’s gone. Not needed this trip. Over the years, I’ve left belongings scattered across the globe, often out of necessity, always with intention. My philosophy: “Throw Out Thursday.” Letting go is liberating.
But leaving behind isn’t just about things. It’s about people, places, and the deep familiarity of routines.
Grief is part of the process—an inevitability of life. We take pictures, but we can’t bottle up the flavors and scents of a place. Maybe someday, AI will embed them into a .jpg, but for now, memories remain imperfect.
The Uncertainty of Beginning Again
If leaving behind is about loss, beginning again is about uncertainty.
It’s the double-edged blade of a blank slate.
One side is excitement—the joy of clearing the table to reset it. The other side? Fear. Clearing the table to reset it with what?
That’s the ambiguity of Tabula Rasa.
To Begin Again is, in essence, to pick up the pen and write the next chapter.
“And then?”
What happens next?
As the storyteller, I hold the pen.
Why Share This Journey?
My purpose is to share the lessons I have learned, often the hard way, in the hopes that they will save you time, money, and unnecessary detours.
And with today’s technology, I won’t just tell you about it—I’ll bring you along in real time. Expect frequent updates, reflections, and discoveries—both about myself and the world I encounter.
I’ll weave in stories from past and present, offering both wisdom and humor—because let’s be honest, life is funny, often when we least expect it.
What to Expect in the Coming Weeks
Over the next eight weeks, I’ll be sharing everything leading up to my departure, including:
- How to Prepare Mentally for Life Reinvention (letting go & embracing uncertainty)
- How I Budgeted for Two Years on the Road (financial freedom & minimalist living)
- What’s in My Bag? The Ultimate Packing Guide (living with less)
- How I’m Handling Logistics (healthcare, mail, & digital work)
- Where I’m Going & How I Plan to Travel (first stops & route planning)
- The Emotional Side of Saying Goodbye (grief, nostalgia, & excitement)
- The Final Countdown – One Week Before Departure! (last-minute chaos)
Each post will feature the “Begin Again” theme song, updates on my progress, and practical insights you can apply to your own journey—whatever that may be.
Join the Journey
Are you coming along?
Let’s Begin Again.
Coming up
- How to Prepare Mentally for Life Reinvention
- My Minimalist Packing List
- How I’m Handling Life on the Road
- Read about the psychology of life transitions (External resource)
📢 Social Sharing Prompts
✅ What’s the biggest change you’ve ever made in your life?
✅ If you had the chance to reset your life, what would you do first?
✅ Tag someone who needs to hear this message today!