Starting Over
University of Toronto
​March 10, 2022

Abstract​: After a period of depression or personal turmoil, people sometimes express a desire for a “fresh start” or “clean slate.” Seemingly out of nowhere, people cast aside their commitments, sever ties with people they know, go on adventures around the world, and surround themselves with new people in new environments. Call this the phenomenon of starting over. In this paper, I argue that starting over is therapeutic because it facilitates practical restructuring: the rational process of changing the core commitments that make us who we are. I contrast practical restructuring with other ways we change over time, including spontaneous evolution and what I have called in other work “practical death.” Examining the phenomenon of starting over yields important insights about the (limits of the) agency we have over who we are.
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This paper is part of an ongoing project on the value of integrated agency. I would love to hear your feedback! You can email me at [email protected].
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  • Here is a handout about my ongoing and future research plans.