Bring It On, Year Three!

February 1st is an exciting day! Do you happen to know what day it is?

One day before GROUNDHOG DAY!!!

I am forever grateful to the screenwriters of Groundhog Day (the movie). They gave me Phil Connors, a disgruntled and self-centered weatherman forced to relive the same day over and over again. Not-so-fun fact: they originally wanted to cast TOM HANKS. NOOOOOOOO…!

Bill Murray was an excellent choice for the lead role of Phil Connors. I enjoyed the deeper meaning of the movie - how anyone can choose to be a good person. Phil Connors eventually learns how to live each day to its fullest, even when it’s the same day every day. Despite his initial reactions (anger, depression, and so on), he embraced the day and found love for himself and others.

We shouldn’t need to experience a GROUNDHOG DAY to live to our fullest potential daily…

(But we should ALL watch this movie at least once!)

Before February 2nd, I’m celebrating my WRITERVERSARY!!!

(Is “WRITERVERSARY” a word?  If not, too bad - I am making it a word.)

Two years ago, I had what I call my WOW moment. After this moment, I decided to start writing. I took the first step on a new creative path on February 1st, 2022. And I haven't looked back when it comes to writing (well, I lied - I reflect on my writings often… #JOURNALINGROCKS). 

So far, it's been an “interesting journey.”  In the short two years since I set forth on the path:

• I nearly died;

• I became selfish about my daily writing routine;

• Dream recall became more frequent;

• I found a new love for journaling… and gel pens;

• I became obsessed with a TREE

• Fears tried to creep in but became less consuming;

• I found great communities and friends on Twitter/X;

• I learned how to handle (writing) rejection ;

• I discovered the importance of self-care (still a work in progress);

• I continuously revisit what goals and intentions mean to me, and

• I made it through the October-pocalypse.

This doesn’t account for my hubby and daughter, the recent change to my weekday 9-5 routine, a happy uterus (still love you, BOO!), or the “3 am scribbles” that still haunt me.

Regardless of the good, the bad, and the ugly events over two years, I continued to prioritize writing into a daily routine. 

Why did I do this?

• It gave me peace of mind.

• I wanted my writing to improve.

• I enjoyed learning more about myself and how I navigate this world.

• It helped me to be more organized.

• I enjoyed sharing the experience with others as they determined their path. 

I was in the final stages of recovery during last year’s WRITERVERSARY.  I was happy I made it through a year, yet didn’t make a huge deal about its significance. 

This WRITERVERSARY is special. I spent time processing two years of my journey rather than one. I’m still amazed. I did not know I would continue writing daily a year ago. And my path brought me to this moment. 

I used to carry many limited beliefs.  Two core ones were:  

• My time to write was limited (or non-existent), and  

• I wasn’t good enough.  

At one time, I was too busy listening to those noises while being distracted by other life events to realize there was more to life than the noise. There is also stillness. This is why I love journaling and writing early in the morning. 

In a few weeks, I plan to make some tough writing decisions. I love this newsletter, yet writing a weekly edition takes away time from other writing goals. I may focus on a specific type of journaling going forward rather than my current daily freestyle method. And the book… I have many different ideas. I would prefer to focus on one theme and get moving. I have other business ideas that involve writing. 

At the same time, I don’t want to stress about the future. Phil Connors went through the pain of realizing his life would be the same day every time he woke up.  He embraced it and made it his own. I am trying to do the same… outside of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

I was planning to set intentions for Year 3 of my writing journey. LIFE has a way of throwing a few curveballs.  Currently, I am prioritizing non-writing intentions, which impacts my daily routines and future writing intentions.  The old me would have been disappointed to miss my self-imposed deadline. The OLDER me is more chill. I plan to destress from the grind for a short time to gather perspective. This does not mean I am giving up. The sky is NOT the limit. There are stars beyond the sky! Why not reach for those… and beyond?! Why limit ourselves?

When it comes to Year 3 of my writing journey, I say BRING IT ON! I am ready and excited for my WRITERVERSARY and what each new day brings… including tomorrow, which is GROUNDHOG DAY. 😊

Happy “Whatever you’re celebrating today,” fellow creatives.

Naddy / Nadine