Permission to Start Over
New Beginnings, Same Ambition
It’s OK to Start Over
Starting over isn’t the same as giving up, but we often confuse the two. From the time you’re a kid, everyone asks, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” There’s pressure to have it all figured out—by high school, definitely by college, and for sure by the time you graduate. But let’s be real: does anyone truly have it figured out?
That’s the strange thing about getting older. You look around and realize that life isn’t full of superheroes, just people navigating the best they can.
And then there’s the world of social media, where everyone seems to have their lives perfectly curated. It’s easy to get caught up in the comparison game, thinking everyone else has it all mapped out. The reality? Most of those same people are just as uncertain as you are; they’re just better at filtering it out of their feeds.
When you choose to pursue a creative career, you’re often met with skepticism from those on more traditional paths: “How will you make money?” “You’re going to paint…what, buildings?” “I wish I could play pretend for the rest of my life.” They don’t get it. It’s not their fault—they just want to protect you from potential failure. They’re giving you advice based on what they only know.
But choosing a creative path is making a bold declaration: you’re going in a different direction. And when that path gets rocky, the “I told you so’s” start creeping in.
If you once dreamed of being a writer, a designer, a filmmaker, or something else entirely but have fallen out of love with it, that’s fine! Ask yourself: what was it about that creative pursuit that you loved? Was it the thrill of bringing ideas to life, building new worlds, or the feeling of being seen and appreciated? There’s power in the pivot. It’s not about giving up; it’s about rediscovering what excites you and finding a new way to chase it.
Am I doing exactly what I wanted to do 10 years ago? Not even close. And that’s okay. I’m happy.
At the end of the day, you get one life, and you get to choose how you live it. If you feel stuck or like you’re chasing ghosts, maybe it’s time to stop, take a breath, and start over. Not because you failed, but because you’re evolving.
Plenty of people have pivoted and found success. Oprah Winfrey started as a news anchor before building her media empire. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson transitioned from wrestling to Hollywood stardom. Vera Wang went from figure skating and journalism to designing iconic fashion. Arnold Schwarzenegger moved from bodybuilding to acting, then to politics. Even Martha Stewart shifted from modeling and stockbroking to becoming a (white-collar criminal) lifestyle mogul.
Starting over isn’t quitting; it’s evolving. There’s a difference.
So, give yourself permission to pivot. Keep pursuing the life you want to create, no matter how many times you have to start over.
Keep creating and repeating,
- Zack
We’re launching a podcast!
Starting October 7, we’ll be dropping weekly episodes diving into the ups and downs of the creative process. Some episodes will feature me (@zackevans) and my wife/co-founder @momomeow sharing our journey, while others will spotlight interviews with rising creators. We hope you’ll give it a listen and join us on this next phase of Create.Repeat.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel here and tune in wherever you listen to podcasts October 7th.
Links keeping us creative:
💡 The Creative Switch: A guide from artist Ralph Ammer on the basic recipe for good ideas.
📚 I Need A Book Cover: A platform connecting and inspiring authors and book cover designers.
🏠 Home Alone: A collection of playlists we’ve been enjoying while putting together these newsletters.
🐉 Karlotta Freier: An art portfolio that brilliantly demonstrates how brands can showcase creativity.
Create.Repeat is a community for creatives.
The Create.Repeat Substack is a project designed to be a weekly diary on creativity. Sharing inspiration for artists to keep creating and repeating.
Written and curated by Zack Evans & James Warren Taylor
Each week we will be sharing recent thoughts on creativity, some links helping us stay creative, and soon will be including a talent show featuring an artist from the community. Thank you for engaging with us.
History repeats. Create the future.
Some Final Links:
Subscribe to our YouTube - Podcast Starts October 7th 🔄
Love this post. I felt validated in this season of pivot. Subscribed to your YT channel; eagerly awaiting your podcast too! P.s. that link abt book covers at the end — GOLD❤️🔥✨
Love this!