To Go Further, You May Need to Step Back

Mural by Doris Komla

A personal story about revision, reflection, and the art of starting over

— A Reflection on Art, Growth, and the Courage to Begin Again

Two years ago, I painted a mural not realizing then that the strokes I left on that wall would one day reflect a deeper truth about my own journey.

After completing the piece, my client asked me to revise certain sections. To be honest, I was frustrated. I had already poured myself into the work. But to make the changes, I had to literally step back, assess the full picture, and rework parts of it from a new perspective.

When it was done, I stood in front of the final version — and saw something stronger, more refined, and more whole. What once felt like correction had become transformation. And I was grateful for the process that pushed me to do better.

That mural taught me something I carry to this day:

Starting over isn’t failure — it’s often the path to something better.

Doris Komla Project

A New Chapter, A Familiar Lesson

Today, after 12 years of creating art, leading projects, and using creativity as a tool for healing and education, I find myself in a new chapter:
Back in school.
In a new country.
Learning again.

And in many ways, it feels like starting from scratch.

But what I’ve come to understand is that progress isn’t always linear. Growth often moves in cycles — spirals, not straight lines. Sometimes, moving forward means taking a few humbling steps backward:
Into discomfort.
Into curiosity.
Into becoming.

Starting Over is a Strategy

Every beginner stage lays the foundation for mastery. Every pause is a chance to realign. Every revision — whether on a wall or in a life — can bring you closer to purpose. So if you find yourself in a season where things feel unfamiliar…
If you’re revisiting old dreams with new eyes…If you’re returning to the fundamentals in search of deeper meaning…Know this:

You’re not behind.
You’re in process.
You’re becoming.

And sometimes, the most powerful progress begins with a step back.

 Artfully Yours,
Doris Komla

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