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Have you felt like 2024 didn’t exactly start the way you hoped? Maybe you had goals, resolutions, or plans for a fresh start, and then life happened. If that’s you, you’re in the right place. Season 3 of My MS Podcast is all about new beginnings, and not the picture-perfect kind. The real kind, where you get knocked down but choose to stand back up, one step at a time.

As someone living with Multiple Sclerosis, I know firsthand how unpredictable life can be. Fatigue, flare-ups, or unexpected challenges like illness or burnout can easily derail your best intentions. That was exactly my story at the start of this year.

When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan

I took a much-needed break during the holidays for the first time in nearly a decade. After a tough year, my nervous system was shot and I needed time to rest. I embraced stillness, put work on hold, and soaked in time with my family.

But just as I was getting ready to start fresh, my entire household got hit with COVID. The timing couldn’t have been worse. My morning routine fell apart, I struggled with fatigue and migraines, and all the healthy habits I wanted to start suddenly felt out of reach.

Still, I knew I had a choice. I could spiral into frustration, or I could apply the exact mindset shift I had been working on. Here’s what helped me start again, imperfectly but intentionally.

My Top 3 Steps to a Fresh Start with MS

1. Accept and Respect the Fatigue
This might be the hardest, but also the most freeing step. Fatigue is one of the most common and misunderstood symptoms of MS. It’s not laziness. It’s your body asking for rest to heal. Instead of fighting it, I’ve learned to honor it. When I give my body what it needs, I can actually move forward with more stability and strength.

2. Action Precedes Motivation
You can’t wait to feel motivated. Most of the time, motivation comes after we take that first step. Whether it’s drinking a glass of water, getting outside for a walk, or preparing one healthy meal, taking action, no matter how small, creates momentum.

3. Start Small, But Start Today
We often want to do it all at once, but small steps are more sustainable and more powerful. One vegetable. One glass of water. One supplement. One walk to the mailbox. These are the steps that lead to lasting change.

Gentle Shifts That Helped Me Reset

• Nutrition Tweaks: I added anti-inflammatory foods like greens, berries, and healthy fats.
• Mindful Movement: I swapped intense workouts for stretching and gentle walks.
• Mental Health Practices: I meditated for just five minutes a day to reset my mind.
• Hydration: Staying hydrated helped my energy and digestion.
• Journaling: Writing helped me process emotions and celebrate progress.
• Sleep: I made rest a priority and protected my sleep routine.
• Support: I reached out to friends and stayed connected with the MS community.
• Realistic Goals: I simplified my expectations and celebrated small wins.

The Power of Tracking Your Progress

One of the most helpful tools I used during this reset was my Wellness Tracker. It helped me stay aware of what I was doing each day, with no judgment, just gentle reminders to keep going. Whether I tracked water intake, meals, movement, or sleep, seeing the progress in front of me gave me hope.

And I want to share this tool with you. You can download a free copy of the Wellness Tracker at alenebrennan.com/tracker.

The Bigger Picture: Mindset Over Perfection

Perfectionism tells us to wait until the moment is right. But that moment rarely comes. Instead, I’ve learned to focus on what I can do today. Progress, not perfection, is what makes the difference in how I feel and how I live.

The truth is, the start of this year didn’t go as planned. But it gave me the exact experience I needed to remember that health and healing don’t depend on flawless execution. They depend on the willingness to begin again, however messy that might be.

So What About You?

How are you feeling at the start of this year? Are you coming in strong or trying to find your footing again? I would love to hear from you. Send me a note on Instagram or email and let me know how you’re doing. You’re not alone in this journey.

Want More Encouragement Like This?
Tune into this week’s special episode of My MS Podcast: S3E1: How I’m Getting Back on the Wagon
Listen now to My MS Podcast