You know that feeling when you’ve been running and you just have to stop and catch your breath? It’s sort of the way this year has felt to me. Like I haven’t had a chance to stop for a minute and catch up with myself.
Between working two part-time jobs and editing outside of my writing career–and being a wife and mom–I’m constantly on the go. On top of that, my husband and I added several health issues, car repairs, and house repairs. This year was overwhelming.
When I was first published, there was about a year and a half between my first and second book releasing. And about the same between my second and third books. Then, from there I ended up with a few years with three books releasing. And that was fun. Not really too much. So, when my publisher suggested adding a fourth book to this year, I thought, why not? What’s one more?
When I agreed to that, I didn’t realize everything else I would also be doing. Or that a couple of those books were less than two months apart in release date, which meant back-to-back edits and marketing. Whew! Turns out four is quite a bit more than I expected it to be. I didn’t have much time for writing because I was so busy working to release all the books I had already written.
Needless to say, after this crazy busy year, next year, I plan to slow down and take a breath. There’s a reason God tells us to “Be still and know that I am God.” When we get too busy, it’s hard to see Him in the world around us. Not only that, but He knows sometimes we need to stop and take a breath just for our own good too.
So, in 2024, I will still be releasing stories, but it won’t be four stories unless something crazy changes. As of right now, I have a novel set to release in March and a novella collection releasing in October.
A few years ago, the thought of returning to only two books a year might have scared me a little. I was so concerned about losing momentum or slowing down. Afraid I wouldn’t be able to pick back up again. But now, I can see it as a blessing. It will give me more time for the other things in my life. And hopefully more time to write stories to release in future years.
It’s not a step backward to slow down. It’s a step in the right direction for me at this busy point in my life.
I’ll also still be content editing some books for my publisher. And I’ll still be blogging here as well as on my own blog over at abitofanguish. I’m not falling off the face of the earth. Just … making sure I’m prioritizing things as I need to.
Have you ever had to re-evaluate goals or plans and decide that maybe you overestimated your abilities or brainpower? Have you ever slowed yourself down and taken a breath so that you could have enough energy and mindset to focus on more? Any advice for me as I try to slow myself down enough to catch my breath?
Amy R Anguish grew up a preacher's kid, and in spite of having lived in seven different states that are all south of the Mason Dixon line, she is not a football fan. Currently, she resides in Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and son, and usually a bossy cat or two. Amy has an English degree from Freed-Hardeman University that she intends to use to glorify God, and she wants her stories to show that while Christians face real struggles, it can still work out for good.
When we get too busy, there’s always something or someone who suffers. Merry Christmas, Amy, and have a wonderful 2024. I’ve enjoyed your gift for storytelling.
Happy Holidays Amy! In the business of life, it is good TO PAUSE and take a breath. As a pastor’s wife, daughter, mom, teacher – a precious deacon wife, mom, school principal gave me some advice, which over the years I passed along to other women in my life. So often when we realize our commitments we become overwhelmed at the tasks ahead. She told me to make a list and prioritize – then only think about the task at hand – not all the other ones waiting for me. Definitely was a game changer when I went through the sandwich years of caring for my parents. One day, one task at a time! As I sometimes teased my colleagues – sometimes one hour at a time. Then breath and smell the roses!
Also at times, we may need to SAY NO! to outside interests. One of my colleagues (she was my student first), as a newly wed felt overwhelmed. We were heading for an English teachers conference in Nashville, Tennessee. During our drive from Michigan – I had her practice saying NO! (firm, but with kindness, stating the commitments she enjoyed doing).
Plus don’t be too hard on yourself. As women at times, we want to do it all, especially during the holiday. Hope this helps. Best wishes. At times LIFE can be a juggling act.
I don’t have any advice, but it sounds like you’ve done just the right thing. I have been working an extra day a week since September, it doesn’t sound like much more and I still don’t work full time, but juggling work and small children and everything else at the moment feels very overwhelming. I think you’re very brave to take a step back, work out what you can manage and change things, just finding space to do that is hard when you’re busy.
I have felt God leading me to stop a few things. I actually felt like He wanted me to back in 2022, and kept doing those same things in 2023. Now, I definitely know He doesn’t want me to continue in 2024! So, I’ve already made those decisions, not that they were too popular with those two groups. I don’t know what He has for me next year, just know that I’m following what He’s leading me to. For me, I’m staying in His word, praying, and just letting Him lead me.
Thank you so much, Beth! Merry Christmas to you too!
Such great advice. I have been working on saying no, too. Everyone asks me how I do it all. One task at a time. Definitely.
Yes! Just a few extra hours of work can add up to so much more! Thank you for your sweet words.
That’s the best way to do life…. letting God lead. I pray He brings blessings for you in the new year!
Oh yes, and if it isn’t by my choice, then God finds a way to let me know. Most useful question that works for me is to have those around me ask me “How is that consistent with your goals or what you said you wanted?” and if it isn’t being kind to myself and letting it go. Merry Christmas.
Great advice. Thanks so much for stopping by.
I have had to slow down. I became injured to a point of disability. I was also one who was the go to person for my family and any other person who needed help. I am now walking with a walker at home and a wheelchair when I am out of the house. I am not sure if it was the way the Lord wanted to get my attention or if it just happened. I have more peace in knowing what I can and cannot do. Thank you for a wonderful time today. I enjoyed spending time with you on Facebook too. Merry Christmas. God bless you.
Merry Christmas to you, too, Debra!
Yes, many times I have had to slow down, prioritize and reevaluate. It is not always fun to do this, but I know from experience that it is totally necessary and sooooo worth it. I pray that you can do this this next year and come out on top. Jesus is the biggest help for this kind of thing.
Im late to the party. This year for me has been a bit like you said. first finding out in Jan I had to fine a new place to live. (and pack up a room for the landlady) at the same time having to have a tooth removed under sedation due to how it was situated in the city. I was in denial for part of the time but then still had hope a friend could buy the house. (I miss parts of it the solar panels, the fire place and the fact it kept cooler for longer) My friend bought this new one and I rent. It is smaller and it is cooler in winter and hotter in summer but it feels like mine unlike the last one. So I had a year sorting and selling stuff. I know moving last time was stressful but this one even more due to a few factors. Last time I had more help with things. I also have cats. 2 but Henry doesn’t want to be here he keeps going back to the old neighbourhood and it feels like I have shared custody and pay for his food etc. (The lady who feeds him loves him and I provide food) I will get him back for a couple weeks and he takes off. This has added stress to an already stressful year. I had almost no garden besides the side fence with plants that are more like weeds. So have done that.
I know at times I over committed to reading some books and due to this found I have a couple books that will be good but I just cant face right now. I am learning it is ok to say no. Sometimes the more we push to do everything the more we come to not enjoy these things. taking extra time and allowing more time than you think helps. I set my book challenge at 20 hoping I will read more but knowing I can acheive this goal. if I put 25 or 30 and dont make the goal it gets stressful. its easy to add things when you do what you need to do
Thanks for the encouragement and prayers, Lori!
It’s definitely always easier to add things than to back out of them. I pray your 2024 is much smoother than your 2023.