GROUNDED in 2023

A writing friend shared a powerful post today about her 2022 writing/life journey. It was a beautiful celebration of moments of joy balanced with an acknowledgement of challenges the year brought. She inspired me to write my own final post of 2022.

Here it is.

In January, for the past 8 or so years, I have begun the year with words of intention. The funny thing is that I did that in 2022 but have no memory (or record that I can find) of what those words were. That means I cannot reflect on whether I stayed on track with those words of intention. I can however reflect on 2022. And, it was a year of great joy.

Here are some of the things that brought me joy in 2022.

• time with family, especially my father who has had a rough couple of years health-wise

• hiking

• travels with my immediate family that gave me the opportunity to see manatees, coyotes, trumpeter swans, bears, bison, elk

• overnights in unusual surroundings (treehouses and train cars to name a few)

• kayaking

• swimming

• teaching swim lessons

• coaching

• puzzling

• painting (not as much as I should have because I do love it)

• reading

• fewer doctor's visits than I sometimes have

• hair ice

• waterfalls

• snakes

• and, most of all, writing/critiquing

I re-entered the writing world in February, committed to being serious about writing picture books and I got tremendous joy from writing. In 2022, I

• wrote 25 PB ( 8 polished), started editing one MG novel, and started a MG graphic novel

• joined 4 critique groups and made many new writing friends, a few of whom I know will be lifelong friends

• read over 300 PBs or MG novels

• critiqued over 100 PB manuscripts

• participated in over 50 webinars, presentations, or conferences

• queried (a little)

• challenged my introverted self to do uncomfortable things in the #kidlit world

So, as I draft this last post of 2022 and know that 2022 was a year of finding new joy and balance in my life, I am thinking about a single word for 2023. One I won't forget. One that will guide me in my writing journey and my personal journey, through joy and sorrow and everything in between. I have chosen the word GROUNDED. I will take this upcoming year's steps with sensibility, reasonableness, and an appreciation for life's simplicities. I will continue to learn passionately, embrace life, and chase adventure. I will give freely and express gratitude. And, I will move forward in my writing adventure toward publication. Not because I NEED to be published. Not because I WANT to be published. But because I CAN. Today, I am blessed with time, good health, and determination. I have not always been so lucky. But today, I AM. And, I WILL squeeze every bit of joy out of writing that I can in 2023.