My Year in Review

A Detour from the To-Do List

This has been a trying year, to say the least. If you're wondering what happened to my blogs or books, I had to put my projects on hold while we dealt with a few family crises that eventually balanced out to manageable levels. My schedule was not the only one derailed, however. Even the next few blog interviews I had planned out hit a wall when a mutual contact of ours unexpectedly passed away, and my other interviewee had caregiver responsibilities as well as a mountain of tasks pertaining to her small business. But that's ok because even all the set-backs have led to more content to incorporate into my writing.

Back to the Basics

This entire year in particular has also made me most nostalgic, bringing out all kinds of good (and bad) memories that needed some TLC. It has been unpleasant at times, making it difficult to function, let alone be creative. But no opportunity has been wasted, and for that I'm truly grateful, since there are only a handful of weeks left until the new decade begins!

One huge lesson I learned about all we endured was to have a healthy way to process my emotions without getting cluttered by too many obligations. When I have too much to do, I can barely muster up enough energy to do everything, and I can so easily end up doing nothing at all. It's forced me to pay attention to how I feel so I know when to back off and focus on fewer things with greater intensity. It's not easy to do because of the extent of my responsibilities as a wife, mom, and daughter, but it's essential to keep at for as long as I'm healthy enough.

My 52 weeks list of goals I usually set has always been successful in helping me manage overall priorities, but this year it was very challenging to find the motivation to do them. Recently, when I took a look at what I wrote for the year, I can see why the list made me feel more stuck: it wasn't simple enough! I had some lofty goals (as per usual, because I do like challenges) but not enough of every day, accomplishable things that held some sort of means to an end. Usually, I had a theme for the year, but this year was all out of whack. So this week, I did something I hadn't done before, I started redefining my goals. Maybe it's silly because there aren't that many weeks left to accomplish them, but I'm doing it anyway to see how much I do with the time I have remaining. It's more about short-term intentionality that leads to longer-lasting results. And who knows, maybe it will also help me keep going so I can finally finish my next two books!!!!

Emotions Have Their Place

Having emotional support is vital to body functions, and I often let my mental health slide due to a whole host of situations I can't necessarily control. I'm not ashamed to say that this year has brought me to my knees in prayer in new ways, making counseling sessions a must. Some people may be skeptical about talking to a therapist, but not me. I love my family and friends dearly, but sometimes they are not who I need to talk to in expressing how I feel. There is something so freeing in having an impartial third-party to talk to, who, in hearing me out, ends up validating what and why I'm feeling what I'm feeling, and who can offer useful steps to take so my emotions don't control me. Not that I can't talk to the Lord, because I do that too, but having a human connection ties it all together and encourages me to walk through the trials in faith. Emotions are important indicators of sometimes deeper issues that need addressing. As certain truths unfold, it's a renewal process, over and over. As I clear my mind, I can look forward to what is in front of me, not off to the side or several paces ahead. And it feels great! Here's hoping that I can finish these first 19 years of the 21st century without any regrets!