It’s Brimming’s (and My) Birthday! Changes On The Horizon

Sound the alarm, pop the champagne, throw the confetti, because Brimming is ONE YEAR OLD today!

A year ago, on my birthday, I launched Brimming with a flurry of butterflies in my stomach. I had no idea how (or if) it would be received. What it would mean. What would happen. I just knew what it could mean. What it could do for me. What it could bring me if I simply released myself from my own cage of worry and just TRIED.

And it’s been a hell of a year!

As I posted last year, my birthday is often a time of reflection and real contemplation. Not not goals, per se, but more like what do I want to cultivate and generate in the coming year for myself, and what can I let go of? What have I accomplished and achieved in the past year that I can take a moment to breathe in and out around with a heart of gratitude?

As I did last year, I’ve divided these contemplations into two columns: my biggest wins and my biggest coming obstacles.

My Biggest Wins

I WRITE! I write almost every single day in one way or another. A year ago, I was desperate for words. Today? They pour out of me quickly, clearly, from the daily work I’ve put in. I am so much healthier, happier, my true authentic self, for it.

I’ve achieved some real milestones for myself. I’m a mere few chapters away from completing my first draft of my YA novel. I’ve had four pieces published (with many more to come, stay tuned!). I have posted over 100 blog posts here.

I’m mentally healthy. I’ve written my way out of some of the darkest times in my life and have grown stronger, staggeringly formidable, and up for the task of battling my demons in a way I never thought possible.

My relationships across the board are truer, richer, healthier because I am so much more my true self. I have developed and cultivated friendships online because I have learned how to push past my shyness, my fears, to forge ahead for the betterment of both my work and myself.

I’ve learned a TON. A year ago, I was a novice standing at the precipice of an entirely new career. Freelance writer, aspiring author, HOW will I do this??? There’s still SO much I have yet to learn and achieve, but in the past year, while also being a full-time mom, I’ve made some serious strides and those will be reflected on the blog in the coming year (i.e. new photos/ design/ site facelift & opportunities on the horizon). It’s an exciting time.

Motherhood is glorious, joyous, integrated. I am more fulfilled, grounded and confident in my mothering than ever before. I suspect this continues to happen with every year on the job, but I am grateful just the same.

I am working out again and I’m in a physical shape again, so that’s a major win.

My Biggest Obstacles

Actually finishing this YA novel of mine. I am so close and still so far. You know that scene in The Little Mermaid where Ursula’s shadow hand reaches into Ariel and pulls her voice out of her? That’s how writing this novel feels. It feels like I’m scooping parts of myself out again and again. It’s been an invigorating and emotional journey. Because of that, it’s not going as quickly as I had hoped. If I actually manage to finish this book and can say in next year’s post that I did it? We are doing more than popping champagne!

The upcoming shifts of my daily life. My son will be starting preschool in the Fall and I am at once so ready and completely terrified for what that will mean. My intuition is that it will only be good for all of us, but my heart aches at how quickly these three years have gone, and how much this will shift the flow of our days.

Finances. Other than the unbelievably awesome readers who have donated to my Ko-Fi page, I have yet to make a penny from my writing this year. That wasn’t my focus or my goal, really. But now, I do have a few paid pieces coming down the pike, and have my sites on more paid opportunities in the future to start making a real living again.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for reading this year. By doing so, you have witnessed an essential turning point in my life and I hope you keep following along!

To the next year!

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