2022 Achievements and New Year’s Intentions
In the last few years, I began a new year’s tradition of putting together a list of achievements for the year and looking ahead to my intentions for the following year.
2022 was a year of many firsts with regards to my career as an author. As soon as I started declaring myself an author, a short story of mine [begins at 19:54] was published on a podcast in January of 2022. Actors performed my story, and they did a phenomenal job! It was a dream come true. I was subsequently interviewed for the podcast. That was my first interview as an author.
Publishing The Space Between You and Me this year was another 2022 achievement—the biggest achievement of this author’s life. I was also interviewed a second time on a lovely friend’s podcast. I cannot help but feel my will to be an author gave me the confidence to get out there, hustle, and push until I was recognized as one. Self-anointment is a virtue I will be carrying with me into the new year.
Favorite Reads of 2022
Another intention I did not complete but value nonetheless is my 50 book reading goal. As an author, reading is vital aspect of my day-to-day life. I read passively and actively, with intention and with abandon. I’ve comfortably hit my 50 book goal in the past, but this year, I put five books down before finishing, because I just didn’t have the patience, wasn’t engaged, or they just plain weren’t for me. I have had to train myself not to feel guilty for quitting books and to slow down and savor the ones I enjoy most. So, without further ado, here are my favorite reads for 2022...
Greywaren by Maggie Stiefvater
Okay look, I’m biased. She is my favorite author, but this was the end of an epic series (start with Call Down the Hawk if you haven’t read it yet), but the trilogy is about art and theft and what makes a life a life, and it’s a really cool metaphor for writing, too.
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Do you too have anxiety and fear about writing or creating? Read this book and rediscover the unadulterated joy of creation. Or listen to it. The author’s voice is downright inspiring.
A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle
I first encountered Eckhart Tolle’s soothing work when I was in my early 20s. I was fairly spiritual then. Fast forward 10 years with losses stacked on top and well, you know. This book is healing me. It answered every question and fear I carry in my heart. It flows like a prayer, a continuous mantra, moving you through awakening and finally into blossoming consciousness.
The King of Infinite Space by Lindsay Faye
Faye has done it again with her ingenious retellings. This book somehow captures that aching, melancholy of Hamlet. The novel barrels toward cataclysmic entropy with charm, humor, devastation, and romance. There was a definite trend toward grieving and death with my reading this year, as I also read The Midnight Library by Matt Haig which was also moving and Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune. But The King of Infinite Space took the cake.
My absolute favorite book of the year
Bravely by Maggie Stiefvater
You should read this book, because it’s composed like a magical classic and a fairytale wrapped in one, while being a Christmas book. Also, it’s the movie Brave combined with Maggie Stiefvater’s storytelling. You literally cannot go wrong.
Disclaimer
I am mindful that these year-end wrap-up posts usually tend to show only the author's best side. For this 2022 wrap-up, I focused on what I want to remember and keep experiencing. Did I learn from mistakes this year? Absolutely. Were there mistakes I probably haven’t even learned from yet? Yep. But as I write these words, I choose to be grateful for it all.
And so, I say goodbye to 2022 with joy and gratitude and turn to 2023 to see how I can improve myself and my life.
What did you learn from this year? Do you make goals or intentions for the year to come? What other new year's rituals or traditions do you honor?
Giveaway
Finally, I’d love to give away a signed copy of my debut novel. Sing up to become a member to my blog, which just means you will receive my new posts via email. I am also hosting a giveaway on my Instagram, so feel free to enter there as well for a chance to win a copy for a friend. All entrants will be entered into a randomized selection. If selected, you will need to provide your address so I can send you the book. Giveaway deadline to enter is January 7th at 12PM. Good luck! (Did you know there are ton of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day rituals you can do to manifest luck? I may be throwing some water out my window and not sweeping my floors 12/31-1/1.)