Celebrate the return of the light—and renewed energy

I have to confess, I will be glad when this part of the year is over. It has come crashing to an unpleasant end—saying goodbye to my Betty, and then this past weekend an unanticipated trip to the ER where (due probably to what the doctor called “Holiday Heart”) I had to have my racing, Afib heart shocked back to normal rhythm.

I am fine, I hasten to add. Back to normal everything. No detectable underlying issues.

It put a kink in my plans to get some writing and other work done over the weekend, however. But I’m taking all of next week off from reviewing client pages and keeping up with social media—the bulk of what I spend my work time doing.

I will, though, probably take some time to look back at what I’ve done this year and prepare mentally and emotionally for 2024. It’s too easy to think, I’ve done nothing, I’m treading water, who cares what work I put out in the world, or how many pages I helped my clients get written? No one wants to read my books or take my courses or hear what I have to say.

I could go on. But why?

One of the things I most loved about my late partner, Charles, was his ability to be in the moment. To exist un-self-critically in the world. He was there 100% when he was playing with his grandchildren, or preparing burgers for a barbecue, or listening to music. He had no long-term goals, other than living his best life. Maybe there was something in him that understood that his life would be curtailed earlier than anyone wished.

I simply don’t have that gift. Sure, I can revel in walks on the beach, appreciate a beautiful sunset, enjoy sitting and laughing with my knitting group. But in the back of my mind, I feel as if I should be doing something. I think that once I’ve accomplished one thing, it’s time to reach for the next. This attitude is what has made me challenge myself: after having written fourteen historical novels—each with a single timeline—to write a multi-timeline novel. It’s going. Very. Slowly.

Looking backward is not the answer either. Nonetheless, that’s what I’m doing. To celebrate this shortest day of 2023, I thought I’d list what I’ve done this year—in all its complicated glory. See what the balance is, and how prepared I am for 2024. A leap year. I decided not to wait until December 31. Why be predictable?

Judge me or not, I challenge you to do the same in the comments on Substack. My hope is that the list will make us all realize that we have not just gotten through another year, but have made a difference in big and small ways, have triumphed over the hiccups and missteps, and can stagger forward into another year. So here goes!

My 2023 list of accomplishments:

• Coached 24 clients writing everything from historical fiction to fantasy to memoir—and had a few stop working with me for one reason or another.

• Taught 6 workshops with a total of 48 participants—not all of which were full.

• Published two novels—lost money on both of them.

• Had two book-launch events—decent attendance, but nothing too remarkable.

• Revised one historical fiction course—and I’m still tinkering with it, because it isn’t what I really want it to be yet.

• Created one mini-course—enough said.

• Participated in 4 memoir web chats—I enjoyed these, but always felt less qualified than my two fellow coaches, who specialize in memoir and nonfiction.

• Co-hosted a retreat for 9 women memoir writers (Mainely Memoir)—and survived, but also learned what we can do better next year.

• Rebuilt the Mainely Memoir website—only to discover when I was done that it SUCKED on mobile…

• Helped plan the 2024 Mainely Memoir Retreat—which took a lot longer than I hoped, for various reasons.

• Knitted six sweaters, two shrugs, and two hats—unraveled one of the sweaters because I didn’t like how it turned out.

• Read or listened to about 30 books (I think)—nothing complicated about that!

• Started my first Substack publication and migrated my newsletter to Substack—I like it better, it remains to be seen if my list members do.

• Changed client management systems—twice, because it’s really hard to find something that does everything you need it to.

• Changed social media management systems—ditto.

• Hired a social media manager—and my posts and videos look better but I’m still as disorganized as ever.

• Lost 28 lbs—no downside that I can see!

• Entertained in my apartment for the first time since I moved here—and then ended up in the ER two days later. (I had a great time though. Honestly. At the party, I mean.)

• Spent more time with my grandsons—my daughter moved into my building.

• Made some really wonderful friends. Period.

That’s all I can think of right now. If I think of anything else, I’ll put it in the comments.

But really, what have you been up to this year? You don’t have to share it with me. It can be personal and private. But I’ll bet you accomplished more than you think. And accomplishing things isn’t the only measure of a life well lived. If you do share your list, I promise to raise a glass of non-alcoholic beverage to you.

Happy Winter Solstice!