*sigh* What a year 2020 was and now we've hit May of 2021. I'm still trying to process how quickly the first four months of this year flew by. Can you relate?

I feel like so many of us are still just rather disoriented as we seek to readjust to what (hopefully) is a feeling of normalcy. I can't tell you how many friends and family members with whom I've chatted have shared similar feelings. You?

I wish I could tell you that I've powered through every obstacle the past 15 months have brought with with unflappable fortitude. But, I'd be lying. I confess. I'm exhausted. You?

When it comes to fitness and nutrition for example, I've been derailed and delayed so many times.

Thankfully, every day gives us the chance to start again. And again--if needed. And I have been especially grateful for that reality this year. So many of us have needed that. Whether that means a fresh start in improving fitness, gaining lost ground in relationships, taking new career paths--whatever it that may be for each of us.

KKTX FM logo
Get our free mobile app

From the time we're little people and onward, we are taught that life is all about building a foundation to which we can add throughout our lives. This applies both physically and metaphorically.

We grow up and learn skills in school and in life upon which, hopefully, we will expand. From basics such as reading and writing and math, we begin to add layers of knowledge and know-how that will help us throughout our lives.

When we begin a career, we begin to build up our resumes and skill sets that we can take with us into new positions and new futures.

Even our homes. We start out with very little. Well, most of us do. Then, as time goes on we build up our homes and our families.

We build upon our ideas of what life should be like and who we should be in that life. Philosophies, even political views, are knit into our internal fabric at a very young age and for most, any deviations or adaptations are minimal if delved into at all.

All of these things are well and good. However. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is begin again.

This runs counter-intuitive to the narrative to which we are taught to ascribe. In fact, for many the idea of starting anything over feels akin to a type of failure--something with which we're definitely not comfortable. But it doesn't have to be that way.

Sure, whenever possible it's good to be able to build on things we've established. At the same time, we shouldn't fear shaking the proverbial etch-a-sketch and starting over when we've come to a place where the path dead ends.

I've experienced this in my own life. I'm not one to give up. I have a tendency to want everything that happens next to be some kind of logical next step connected to my backstory. As reasonable as it seems, sometimes life just doesn't work that way.

In some ways, our next moves may seem quantum. We were there and now we are here. Where'd that come from? It's a strange feeling. However, whether it comes to jobs, relationships, or new places to live, don't be afraid to take a step in faith--even if it isn't right after the one you were just on.

There's something liberating and refreshing about starting over. Even if that means we have to start again and again. Don't give up.

READ ON: See the States Where People Live the Longest

Stacker used data from the 2020 County Health Rankings to rank every state's average life expectancy from lowest to highest. The 2020 County Health Rankings values were calculated using mortality counts from the 2016-2018 National Center for Health Statistics. The U.S. Census 2019 American Community Survey and America's Health Rankings Senior Report 2019 data were also used to provide demographics on the senior population of each state and the state's rank on senior health care, respectively.

Read on to learn the average life expectancy in each state.

LOOK: Answers to 30 common COVID-19 vaccine questions

While much is still unknown about the coronavirus and the future, what is known is that the currently available vaccines have gone through all three trial phases and are safe and effective. It will be necessary for as many Americans as possible to be vaccinated in order to finally return to some level of pre-pandemic normalcy, and hopefully these 30 answers provided here will help readers get vaccinated as soon they are able.

More From KKTX FM