What's Been Good About This Year?

One year ago next week, I registered for arguably the second-most influential investment for my life so far.

The month prior, my sister-in-law had sent me a newsletter from a friend of hers who helps women write their memoirs. And I was DESPERATE for guidance in that department.  

For two years I had been working on scribbling out a memoir depicting the tumultuous ups and downs of the first 30 years of my life. 

But here I was, looking into the beginning of 2022, and I was far from where I wanted to be with my writing. 

I NEEDED HELP. 

 I had never done a project like this before and knew nothing about turning a draft manuscript into a book that someone might actually WANT to read.

Enter Janna.

Moments after committing to Janna's year-long Nonfiction Bookcamp program, my boyfriend held me while I ugly-cried. I took it as a good sign.

This was my FIRST accomplishment of 2022.

Since then, Janna has welcomed me into her beautiful community of female writers and walked me through three drafts of my manuscript. 

But as we reached the end of the year, Janna stepped it up a notch.  

She wasn't just excited that we all met our deadlines and submitted three drafts; she wanted to make sure we kept GOING.  

So she put together a 31-day program in December as a way to reflect on the past year, while preparing for the future.

Each day we're assignment a new task, eventually building to a 2023 plan. My plan isn't complete YET, but a few assignments have stuck out to me. 

For example: 

1) Write your list of ACCOMPLISHMENTS for 2022. 

2) Brainstorm what QUALITIES you want to bring into 2023.

I LOVE these two tasks because typically the focus is on “leaving this year behind” or making new goals and resolutions.  But this makes us reflect on the GOOD. On the moments of growth, on the accomplishments, on goals met, both large and small. 

Whether it’s a trip you took or a boundary you set or new routine you started, nothing is too small to make the list. 

As for what qualities to bring into 2023, this is great because it focuses on bringing out the best in YOURSELF, not changing or doing something new. 

It's about SHOWING UP a little more as your GENUINE-SELF each day. 

So, I hope you join me, the others in my writing community, and all the clients I have asked to complete the task, by taking a moment for you. 

To think back on this year and recall what a BADASS you really are. And to get STOKED about all the possibilities to come!

But watch out, because often our INNER CRITIC can get in the way of an exercise like this, so I'd invite you to have some compassion for yourself. 

Imagine if your best friend or a young child was telling you how proud they feel about this year. Would you shrug off their accomplishments? 

I DON'T THINK SO. 

So give yourself the same respect, because YOU DESERVE IT.