Have a good ending to have a good Beginning
I was working with a client one day, and she mentioned she was on a girls’ trip with some friends, and the topic of having a good ending so you can have a good beginning came up. As she shared this with me, I really thought about the meaning of those words and why they landed so strongly with me.
The phrase "have a good ending to have a good beginning" suggests that how we conclude one chapter or experience can significantly influence how we start the next. It provides closure, allowing individuals to release past emotional baggage, ruminate less on missed opportunities, and enter new phases with full focus and positive energy. Properly concluding a chapter—whether a relationship, job, or project—cleans the slate, prevents "shoulda-woulda-couldas," and ensures the next endeavor is not tainted by unresolved issues.
Why is this important?
Closure and Reflection: A good ending helps us process what has happened, learn from it, and gain closure. This reflection helps us carry forward lessons rather than unresolved issues.
Emotional Reset: Ending well can help us let go of negative emotions, regrets, and unfinished business, making room for optimism and energy as we begin something new.
Intentional Transition: Consciously closing one phase sets a positive tone for the next, whether it's a new job, relationship, or personal goal.
Emotional Closure and Transition: Ending a phase well (e.g., through rituals such as graduation or thoughtful goodbyes) promotes positive affect, which is essential for a constructive transition to the next life stage. Without this closure, individuals may remain attached to the past.
Preventing "Tainted" Starts: A poor ending often leaves "loose ends" that can sabotage new beginnings, causing the same issues to resurface in different situations.
Reflection and Growth: Endings offer a vital opportunity to pause, look back, reflect on lessons learned, and decide what to carry forward or leave behind.
Clarity of Purpose: "Beginning with the end in mind" helps establish a concrete, tangible destination that serves as a guide for present actions and decisions.
Redemption and Meaning: A good ending can redeem a difficult beginning, transforming a challenging experience into a purposeful story.
Having a good ending is important because it creates the foundation for a fresh, positive, and intentional beginning. Give yourself the space to explore practical ways to apply this idea in your own life or work. A great way to think about this is that an ending is not merely a conclusion but a seed of possibility, enabling the courage to let go and embrace new opportunities.
I feel like we are living in a culture that has perpetuated a pattern of going from one thing to the next, trying to accomplish as much as we can and not taking the time to reflect on how things are going, where they are going, and how we got there. As I work with clients, I do the same for myself. When reflecting on any situation, I ask the following questions after something has been completed and before transitioning to something new: 1) What worked well? 2) What were the challenges? 3) What would you do differently? Finally, what did you learn from it? I think this moment of reflection helps us with everything listed above.
We are constantly in a state of transition and transformation, and more so now than ever. We are experiencing a time of many unknowns, fear, and disappointment. So, we need to make sure we are navigating our lives with thoughtfulness, grace, and kindness toward ourselves. In a time when we feel hopeless at times, we have to have moments of closure, clarity, reflection, emotional reset, and growth.
My biggest takeaway from “Having a good ending to have a good beginning” is the hope and encouragement it brings for what lies ahead. By thoughtfully closing each chapter—whether personal or professional—we create space for growth, clarity, and new opportunities. Every ending, no matter how challenging, carries the seed of a new beginning. I encourage you to take the time for this kind of reflection, allowing each conclusion to guide your next steps with purpose and optimism. In doing so, you not only honor your past but you also pave the way for a more intentional and fulfilling future.
