Starting Over
As I reflect on the title of this post, I can almost hear the soulful instrumental intro of Chris Stapleton’s song “Starting Over.” Much like the song, which speaks of embracing new beginnings, this blog represents a fresh start, full of endless possibilities.
The idea for creating this blog first came to me while I was a full-time student and wrestler in college. One snowy day, held up in my room, I realized how much I had longed to write a book about misophonia and my subsequent story. Despite years of thinking about it, I had never considered creating a blog until then. After several unsuccessful attempts to write my book—due to time constraints, imposter syndrome, and other challenges—the concept of a blog felt more achievable. I eagerly dove into research, learning everything I could about blogs: from hosting and domains to forums and paywalls. But, I quickly found myself overwhelmed by the complexity.
Despite the initial challenges, I persevered. I purchased a domain through GoDaddy, secured hosting with Cloudways, and chose WordPress as my platform. I learned as I went. When I needed help, I hired a graphic designer (such as to make the logo you see on this blog) and enlisted a professional website developer to help build the website—albeit at a steep cost.
Simultaneously, I worked on my book, Tiger at the Table: Overcoming Misophonia. I published a handful of blog posts—about twenty, to be exact—but soon realized the platform I had chosen didn’t suit my needs. The initial excitement had worn off, and the complexity of the tools became a barrier to consistent writing. Then, tragedy struck when my computer died, taking with it my nearly completed book draft. The combination of setbacks left me disheartened and uncertain. I stepped away from writing and forfeited my desire to share my journey. After all, I had already gone back to school after graduating with a business degree to complete medical school prerequisites. I was busy and decided to walk away.
However, after nearly a year away, I’ve returned to my passion for writing about misophonia, more excited and determined than ever. This time, I’ve created a new account on a different hosting platform—one that, though simpler, feels like the right choice at this stage of my journey.
So, why did I title this post “Starting Over?” Because I’m ready to begin again—this time, with a clearer vision, greater determination, and the wisdom gained from past experiences. And I’m confident this new chapter will be better than the last.