Give Yourself a Mulligan: The Power of Fresh Starts

We’ve all experienced those moments—the words you wish you could take back, the decision you’d love to undo, or the reaction you want to handle differently. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to simply declare, “Do-over!” and start fresh? Well, you can.

In golf, there’s an unofficial term called a Mulligan. When a golfer makes a poor shot, they sometimes allow themselves a free redo—a complete do-over, as if the first shot never happened. Life, fortunately, works a lot like that. You have the power to give yourself mulligans anytime you need them.

Mistakes don’t define you—how you respond to them does. We all have a “best self” and sometimes, a “not-so-best self.” Maybe you snapped at someone out of stress or acted out of fear rather than love. Instead of replaying that moment over and over, grant yourself grace. Say, “I’m giving myself a Mulligan. I get to try again, this time with more awareness and kindness.”

Giving yourself a do-over isn’t an excuse—it’s an act of self-compassion and growth. Each mulligan is an opportunity to shift from fear to love, and to show up as the person you truly aspire to be. And, just as importantly, you can extend this same gift to others! If someone in your world fumbles, encourage a clean slate—everyone deserves the chance to try again.

Is there something you said or did recently that you wish could be different? Take a mulligan. Breathe. Begin anew. Life is a series of fresh starts, and every moment is a new moment to show up as your best self.

What do-over will you give yourself (or someone else) today? Your next shot is always a choice away.