Turning Setbacks into Comebacks: Time To Hit The Reset Button

I ended up working last Saturday, and found myself in a maze of issues that needed resolving. I can’t even remember what I set out to do initially…because where I ended up was completely different. And then I got discouraged with myself, and began the negative self talk that I usually hear from my clients. Thank goodness I caught myself, so I could hit a “reset” button, a technique you can employ when your life just didn’t go as planned that day.

Have you ever felt like one bad day (or one mistake) threw you completely off course?
If so, you're not alone. Life has a way of tossing unexpected hurdles into our paths, no matter how much inner work we do. The key isn't avoiding setbacks — it's learning how to reset.

Here’s how you can master the art of starting fresh, without the guilt or the spiral.

Why We Struggle After Setbacks

Our brains are wired to notice "mistakes" far more vividly than successes. This negativity bias is designed to keep us safe, but in modern life, it can make a small misstep feel catastrophic. Guilt, shame, and frustration can quickly trap us in a cycle that delays healing and growth.

When we fixate on what went wrong, we unknowingly reinforce patterns of defeat. The subconscious mind responds strongly to repetition — so dwelling on a setback only deepens its imprint.

But what if we viewed setbacks differently?
What if they were invitations to reset — not evidence of failure?

Learning how to reset helps break the cycle of self-sabotage and creates a mindset of resilience, flexibility, and self-kindness.

The Hypnotic Reframe: Your Mind Is a Garden

Imagine your mind as a beautiful garden. Some seasons are lush. Some seasons are wild and overgrown. And sometimes, a storm comes through and knocks things over.

You don't stand there yelling at the garden. You grab a trowel, pull some weeds, and start again.

A mental reset works the same way: it's a choice to lovingly tend to your inner landscape, no matter what shape it's currently in.

Each reset is like planting a new seed of hope, patience, and possibility. You don't erase the past — you enrich the soil for something better to grow.

Three Steps for a Mental Reset

1. Acknowledge Without Judgment Instead of mentally beating yourself up, simply notice:
"I experienced a setback. This is part of being human."
Breathe. Pause. Give yourself the same compassion you would offer a dear friend.

Self-criticism tends to freeze us in place, while self-compassion creates momentum. Acknowledging without judgment rewires your mind to approach challenges with curiosity instead of criticism.

2. Ground Yourself in the Present Moment Stress and regret live in the past or future. Grounding practices pull you back into the now, where healing and action are possible.

Try:

Taking three slow, deep breaths.

Standing barefoot on the earth.

Placing a hand over your heart and feeling your heartbeat.

Noticing five things you can see, four you can touch, three you can hear, two you can smell, and one you can taste.

Grounding reconnects you with your body, your breath, and the truth that you are safe and capable in this moment.

3. Set a Tiny New Intention After grounding, set one small, achievable intention — not a giant to-do list.

Tiny victories rebuild momentum and self-trust, one action at a time.

Examples:

"I will drink a glass of water."

"I will send that one email."

"I will take a 10-minute walk."

"I will write down one thing I am grateful for."

Each small act is like a breadcrumb leading you back to your strength.

Your Power Lies in the Reset

Remember: You are not defined by your missteps. You are defined by your resilience.
Every time you choose to reset, you strengthen your mind, body, and spirit.

Setbacks are not the end of your story. They are chapters that build character, deepen wisdom, and cultivate inner strength.

If you need support creating deeper mental and emotional resilience, hypnotherapy can be a beautiful tool to help rewire your patterns.
Through hypnosis, we can gently rewrite the subconscious beliefs that hold you back and nurture the ones that move you forward.

You are more powerful than you realize, and every fresh start brings you closer to the life you were meant to live.