WITH THE START of a brand new year ahead, it’s now the perfect time to think about making a new beginning.
Maybe this is the year some of us may learn a new language, or travel to the destination we’ve always dreamed of!
I want to share with you a few great idioms – all about new starts – that have inspired me over the years.
To turn over a new leaf
This idiom describes beginning something again, especially after a change or period that you might want to forget. It’s a great way of expressing making a positive change in your life, after a negative period.
For example: “Even though he lost his job, this year Terry decided to turn over a new leaf, and look for something new.”
To start anew
This idiom means to start again, in a different way. You might describe something that is done quite commonly, but in this case, it expresses that you’re approaching it in a new way altogether.
For example: “After seeing how much weight she put on over the holidays, she decided to start her diet anew this month.”
Nothing ventured, nothing gained
Sometimes doing something new and different means taking a bit of a risk into unknown territory, and this can be quite frightening!
This idiom gives a great boost of motivation if you find yourself in that position. It means that without taking a bit of a risk or facing a challenge, you can’t expect things to change or improve.
For example: “I decided to take horse-riding lessons, even though I’d never ridden a horse before. After all, nothing ventured, nothing gained!”
To break new ground
This fantastic idiom expresses the feeling of newness when something revolutionary and different takes place – it means that it’s not like anything else that came before it.
For example: “The director’s latest film really breaks new ground – it’s the first time a film has been made in this way.”
Out with the old and in with the new
This classic idiom is all about making a fresh new start – by getting rid of old things, and replacing them with new things instead.
It could refer to anything – from objects to attitudes!
For example: “This year I decided to go out with the old, and in with the new! I’ve given away all clothes that I don’t wear, and I’m going to get a fantastic new wardrobe instead.”
When one door closes, another opens
This is a wonderfully inspiring idiom – and a great piece of motivational advice. It means that a setback or loss doesn’t always mean that you’ve lost all hope or opportunity for ever.
Instead, there may be a new opportunity that comes up because of the setback you’ve suffered!
Winds of change
Do you have the feeling that some kind of change will happen soon – even if it hasn’t happened yet?
This idiom describes that sensation – the feeling of anticipation that something major will change or arrive.
For example: “After Bajans protested about the potholes, you could feel the winds of change all over the country.”
I hope these are as valuable to you as they are to me. Remember, change does not happen overnight. At 78 years old I can attest to that. We are all a work in progress. A very Happy New Year to all!!
– GODDARD LORDE (New York Bajan Yankee)