Every Ending Holds a Beginning: My Journey After Failure.

My first new beginning was after a failure. I always thought failure was the end, but it wasn’t. It was the messy, painful start of something I never saw coming - a chance to rebuild, to find myself, to grow. New beginnings don’t always feel like fresh starts. Sometimes, they’re born from heartbreak and doubt. Let me tell you about my first true “new beginning.” It wasn’t a reset - it was a transformation.

It was 2001, and I’d left my small town behind for the bustling, chaotic energy of Mumbai. Exciting? Yes. Terrifying? Absolutely. The city was a maze of unfamiliar faces, unwritten rules, and unspoken expectations. I struggled to keep up with the cool lingo and felt miles apart from the confident, modern girls at my college.

Back then, I was still shackled by the weight of hurtful comments about my body. I dressed to hide rather than to express myself. I felt out of place, out of sync, and honestly, a little lost. But here’s the thing about beginnings - they’re often just disguised as chaos.

But then, as life often does, it surprised me. Slowly, my fear gave way to curiosity, and then to courage. I found my footing; I found my tribe - friends who poured love and encouragement into me. They didn’t see the insecurities I tried so hard to hide; they saw me for who I was, intense, silly, and determined. They defended me when I needed it, lifted me when I fell, and gave me their shoulders when my heart felt heavy. These girls lifted me up when I was down, reminded me of my worth, and taught me the beauty of showing up as myself. With them, I found the courage to be vulnerable and the strength to grow.

In that circle of love and laughter, I began to shine.

So as you say goodbye to this year and start the new one, I want you to remember just two things:

• Spend more time doing what you love. Even if it feels small or insignificant now, joy has a way of sneaking in and growing when you least expect it.

  
  

• ‌Find your tribe. Look around at the people in your life. Are they lifting you higher, or weighing you down? Reassess, reframe, and choose to be surrounded by those who see your light and help it shine brighter.

  
  

New beginnings don’t have to be grand or perfect. They just need a spark - a spark of love, courage, or connection. And from that spark, the light will find its way to you.

Here’s to your light and all the ways you’ll shine in the year ahead.

And as always, if you need support on this journey,

book your free discovery call at www.kasturijoglekar.com