"The beginnings and endings of all human undertakings are untidy"

Starting anything new or wrapping something up often feels messy, chaotic, and far from perfect. That's the core idea here. Whether it’s starting a new job, embarking on a personal project, or ending a relationship, these moments rarely go as cleanly or smoothly as we might hope.

Historically, this observation has always been relevant—think about the turbulence when societies transition from one era to another, like the industrial revolution. On a personal level, anyone who’s ever moved to a new home knows that the first night is often spent navigating boxes and making do without all the usual comforts.

Let’s take a vivid example: Imagine launching a startup. You’ve got a great idea, you’ve done your research, and you’re excited. But then come the hurdles—finding the right team, securing funding, navigating legal requirements, and the million little things you didn’t anticipate. The beginning is a whirlwind of excitement and confusion. And when it’s time to sell the startup or shut it down, you’re dealing with another mess—emotional goodbyes, legal paperwork, and the bittersweet feeling of letting go. Both starting and ending are far from tidy.

So, how can you apply this wisdom in a practical way? First, embrace the chaos. Understand that messiness is a natural part of any beginning or end, and don’t let it discourage you. Instead of striving for perfection right off the bat, focus on progress. Set small, achievable goals to keep moving forward. When it’s time to end something, allow yourself to feel the emotions, process them, and then take the necessary steps to move on.

Let’s put this into a relatable scenario. Think about someone starting a new fitness routine. They might buy new gear, sign up for a gym membership, and feel pumped. But the first week is tough. There are sore muscles, awkward moments figuring out the equipment, and the struggle to find a new routine that fits into their life. It’s untidy. They miss a day, then two. It’s easy to feel like giving up. But if they push through, accepting the messiness and focusing on small victories—like mastering a new exercise or simply showing up—they start to see progress. And when they decide to shift to a new routine or stop altogether, there’s the challenge of finding closure, of not feeling like a failure for changing direction.

In essence, the messiness of beginnings and endings is universal. It’s comforting to know that perfection isn’t the goal. Progress is. Life’s a mix of ups and downs, starts and stops, and a whole lot of in-between. Embrace it. Imagine you're talking with a friend about their new job. They might be overwhelmed with all the new tasks, the office politics, the pressure to perform. Share this idea with them. Tell them it’s okay that it feels chaotic. It’s normal. Encourage them to keep going, one day at a time, and to cut themselves some slack.

In the end, remember that every messy beginning has the potential to lead to something wonderful, and every untidy ending can be a door to a new start. Life doesn’t always come with neat packages and clear-cut edges, and that’s perfectly fine. It’s the journey, with all its messiness, that makes it worthwhile.