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Shake Off the Past and Start Fresh: Life Lessons from the Etch-a-Sketch

Writer's picture: Stacy ClellandStacy Clelland

Do you remember the Etch-a-Sketch?


That simple yet mesmerizing toy that let you twist two knobs to create all kinds of fun designs?


And, of course, the best part—when you wanted to start over, you’d shake it, and like magic, the screen would wipe clean, giving you a fresh canvas for something new.


Now, imagine if the Etch-a-Sketch didn’t have that reset feature.


What if everything you drew was stuck there permanently?


After a while, the screen would be too cluttered, making it nearly impossible to create anything meaningful or new.


Not so fun, right?


The Etch-a-Sketch of Life

In many ways, life can feel like we’re stuck with a permanent Etch-a-Sketch screen. We carry around old drawings—past mistakes, failures, regrets, and even the negative opinions of others. It can be hard to shake off the past when it feels like those experiences are etched into our minds, impossible to erase.


But here’s the thing: every moment is actually a fresh start, a blank canvas. Just like the Etch-a-Sketch, life gives us the ability to shake off the clutter of the past—if we allow ourselves to.


The Art of Letting Go

How often do we dwell on past mistakes or worry about things that haven’t even happened yet? When we do this, we miss out on the gift of the present moment, that wide-open, blank screen waiting for a new masterpiece.


Letting go doesn’t mean erasing the lessons we’ve learned or pretending challenges never happened. It’s more like shaking the Etch-a-Sketch to clear space for new possibilities. The mistakes of yesterday don’t have to define the choices of today.


A Fresh Canvas, Every Moment

Each day—each moment, really—is an opportunity to sketch something new on the canvas of your life. What do you want to create? What masterpiece will you design today? You don’t have to drag the past into your present. In fact, the beauty of life is that we’re constantly given the chance to start fresh.


When the screen of your mind feels cluttered, take a deep breath. Imagine shaking off the doubts, worries, and mistakes that are clouding your vision. And then ask yourself: What do I want to create now?


Your Next Masterpiece

If the Etch-a-Sketch taught us anything, it’s that creation is a process. You can always turn the knobs in new directions, erase what’s not working, and start again. And guess what? Life works the same way.


So, if you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or weighed down by the past, remember that you hold the power to shake the Etch-a-Sketch of your life. Let today be the start of something fresh and beautiful.


And if you need a little help shaking things up or clearing the way for something new, I’m here to support you. Together, we can turn the knobs and create your next masterpiece.


Ready to sketch a life you love?


Let’s make today the start of your new beginning.

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