Begin Again, and Again, and Again

By: Alessandra Olanow

Published by Workman Publishing, 2026-03-17

A unique, beautiful, hopeful illustrated meditation on the unfolding of life, and a perfect gift for every woman facing the beginnings of midlife and all of its changes and challenges Illustrator Alessandra Olanow knows all too well that life never unfolds as you think it will. After divorce, grief, and career transformation, Begin Again, and Again, and Again started as notes to herself at 3 a.m., when questions would arise: Is this all there is? Am I doing it right? What comes next? For everyone, midlife is a time when new challenges arise and when the vision of life's expectations and reality come crashing together. Begin Again, and Again, and Again offers a new perspective on this time--while it can be a tumultuous time full of change, it can also be a time for renewal. By letting go of preconceptions, Alessandra illuminates for readers the continuous cycle of transformation--being open to possibility, questioning your current state, finding ground, beginning again, and finding the joy in starting over. Through resonant illustrations intertwined with personal writing, the book traces a journey of self-discovery starting with chapters "Is this all there is?" and "I think I can't," then growing to "Bottom is a good place to start," "Presence is the best present," and "Begin again & again & again." Begin Again, and Again, and Again grants you permission to start over as many times as you need to. It's never too late.