Absolutely — here are podcast-formatted show notes for

“Why Starting Over Feels So Scary”, using your classic Five Year You podcast format (clean headings, readable sections, perfect for Apple Podcasts / Spotify / website).

Five Year You Podcast

Episode Title: Why Starting Over Feels So Scary

Hosts: Andrew Dewar & Cat Collins

Starting over sounds inspiring… until you actually think about doing it.

In this episode, Andrew and Cat unpack why the idea of starting over triggers so much fear — even when you knowsomething in your life needs to change. They explore the psychology behind fear, identity attachment, sunk cost, and why staying stuck often feels safer than stepping into the unknown.

If you’ve ever felt called to a new version of yourself but found yourself frozen, overthinking, or staying where you are out of fear — this episode will help you understand what’s really happening beneath the surface.

• Why fear shows up right before growth

• How fear is designed to keep you safe — not fulfilled

• The difference between familiar pain and unfamiliar possibility

• The sunk cost fallacy and why it keeps people stuck

• Fear of losing your identity when you change

• Why being a beginner again feels threatening

• Fear of judgment and disappointing others

• Why staying stuck has a cost — even if it feels “safe”

• How time will pass whether you change or not

• Why curiosity is a more powerful guide than certainty

• How to explore change without burning your life down

• Fear doesn’t mean you’re on the wrong path — it means you’re at the edge of growth

• You don’t need clarity to start; clarity comes after movement

• Nothing you’ve done is wasted — every version of you counts

• Familiar discomfort often feels safer than unfamiliar freedom

• You’re allowed to evolve without having all the answers

• Fear is information, not a stop sign

• You don’t have to commit to change — you can simply get curious

• Starting over doesn’t mean erasing your past

• Small steps are safer for your nervous system than drastic moves

Cat: Enjoying small moments of self-expression and self-care, including makeup and nails that felt playful and grounding.

Andrew: Finding a pair of Air Jordans while thrifting — a reminder that joy and healing can come from unexpected places.

In the next episode, Andrew and Cat explore:

“How to Let Go of Who You Used to Be Without Burning Your Life Down”

Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss it.

Learn more about coaching and upcoming programs:

https://fiveyearyou.com/coaching

Website: https://fiveyearyou.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/fiveyearyou

Email: hello@fiveyearyou.com

If this episode resonated, share it with someone who’s quietly considering a new beginning.

Fear doesn’t mean stop — it means something new is trying to emerge.

Have you ever felt an internal pull toward something more—even though your life looks “fine” on the outside?

In this episode, Andrew and Cat explore the quiet but powerful feeling many people experience when they’re ready for growth: the sense that the current version of yourself no longer fits. This conversation unpacks why this feeling shows up, what it actually means, and how to listen to it without burning your life down.

This episode is about identity shifts, alignment, and understanding that wanting more doesn’t mean you’re ungrateful—it means you’re evolving.

• Why feeling unsettled is often a sign of growth, not failure
• The difference between wanting to escape and wanting to align
• Why adults lose permission to explore new versions of themselves
• How future-self awareness begins before action
• Why growth can feel uncomfortable even when it’s right
• How fear shows up when your identity starts to change
• Why imagining a future version of yourself is meaningful
• Letting go of outdated goals, habits, and identities
• Why growth doesn’t require drastic life changes

1. Notice the Nudge – Pay attention to feelings of restlessness or misalignment instead of suppressing them.
2. Name What’s Changing – Ask yourself what no longer fits instead of what’s “wrong.”
3. Release the Pressure – Growth doesn’t require immediate action or dramatic decisions.
4. Honor Both Truths – You can be grateful for your life and still want more.
5. Think in Small Shifts – Identity change happens through awareness and micro-adjustments over time.

• What feels outdated in my life right now?
• What part of me is asking for growth or expansion?
• If I trusted this calling, what might it be pointing me toward?

Andrew reflects on recognizing subtle internal shifts before big changes.

Cat shares the relief that comes from realizing growth doesn’t have to be dramatic or destructive.

This episode begins the Five Year You series.

Next Episode:

Why Starting Over Feels So Scary (And What Staying Stuck Is Really Costing You)

Coaching and resources available at:

https://fiveyearyou.com/coaching

Website: https://fiveyearyou.com

Instagram & TikTok: @fiveyearyou

Email: hello@fiveyearyou.com

Disclaimer:

This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical, mental health, or legal advice. Some links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Every year, millions of people set New Year’s resolutions — and by mid-January, most of them feel frustrated, discouraged, or convinced they’ve failed. In this episode, Andrew and Cat break down why resolutions so often fall apart, why it’s not a personal flaw, and what actually works if you want real, lasting change.

This conversation is about releasing shame, understanding how your brain and nervous system work, and building habits that support who you’re becoming — not punishing yourself into change.

1. Why most resolutions fail by design
2. How going “too big, too fast” overwhelms your nervous system
3. The difference between goals driven by shame vs. excitement
4. Why motivation doesn’t come first — action does
5. How identity-based habits outperform willpower
6. Why systems matter more than motivation
7. How overwhelm leads to avoidance and freeze mode
8. Why rest and flexibility are part of consistency

1. They’re too vague (“get healthy,” “be better,” “lose weight”)
2. They’re rooted in self-criticism instead of care
3. They rely on motivation instead of systems
4. They ignore real life stress, illness, and bad days
5. They don’t account for who you actually are

Start smaller than feels necessary

Tiny, achievable actions build momentum. Big goals still matter — but they must be broken into bite-sized steps your brain can handle.

Create systems, not rules

Motivation fades. Systems stay. Decide how you’ll show up on hard days, not just what you’ll do on perfect ones.

Build identity-based habits

Instead of “I need to work out,” try:

1. “I’m someone who moves every day”
2. “I’m someone who shows up, even imperfectly”

Know yourself honestly

Some people need accountability. Others don’t. There’s no shame — just strategy.

Plan for real life

Have a Plan B for sick days, stressful weeks, and low-energy moments. Missing one day doesn’t break a habit — quitting does.

Action creates motivation

Don’t wait to feel inspired. Do the smallest version of the habit — motivation will follow.

1. Change driven by shame rarely survives stress
2. Overwhelm triggers avoidance
3. Pausing does not erase progress