How is NaNoWriMo treating everyone so far? This is day three and I finished surprisingly early so I thought I would check in with a blog post. Unfortunately I am strictly counting words this year so none of this will be counted in my NaNoWriMo Dashboard. Alas, this is probably best for my mental health. Last year’s NaNo really burned me out to the point I didn’t do much creative writing for nearly eight months!
This year I am tackling NaNoWriMo a little differently. Instead of writing a story, or even a novel, I am writing a Bible Study based on the book of John. This means that each day I only write one day of the study, however long or short that ends up being. Yesterday’s study was less than 1,667 words so I am already out of the running to full-sweep every badge (since I cannot earn the “Achieve Daily Par Every Day” badge) but I think this will also be better for my mental health in the long run.
NaNoWriMo this year is about focus and daily consistency. More than I care about how many words are written each day, I am very focused on maintaining my daily writing streak that I started on October 1st. Maybe it’s because writing is what God called me to do with my life but everything else seems to come into alignment when I am writing every day.
Since it’s been a while since I did a life update, I may as well throw that in here. (Yes, this is a more casual blog than I usually write, sorry about that).
I’ve changed churches and absolutely love my Mosaic community! God has been so good to bring people into my life that are in the same single-older-than-expected season as me. Although leaving a church community of 10 years was difficult and painful, it was time to make a change and I am glad I obeyed God’s leading.
It feels like over the last year my job title sometimes changed more often than my clothes but that (hopefully) has settled down and my role is becoming more defined every day. I love the opportunity to use my process management skills in a real and tangible way while still being in a partner-facing role designing and building programs to motivate the sellers.
Princess Jasmine (my cat) and I are still living alone and waiting on Prince Charming, although I told Aunt Pattie the other day that I don’t really have time for him till after NaNoWriMo. We had a good laugh at me telling God that I expect to meet him at the Mosaic Single’s Christmas Party this December. Honestly I have more peace in my singleness than I have had in a long time. Sure, I still have days that I can’t imagine living my whole life without someone to share it with but now that I am surrounded by a thriving single community this is more of a desire than a need in my life.
I can’t possibly give a life update without talking about the family. Matt and Asha are thriving in DC and I get to go visit them soon. Cassie and Jordan are trying to keep up with Hayden, who has started walking, while they wind out their last several months in Atlanta before also moving to DC. Russell is doing awesome and has a serious relationship that is going well. He is also threatening to leave me alone in Austin because everyone seems to be migrating to DC but I am digging in my heels and refusing to go.
God is so good and for, the first time in six years, I am actually excited about the coming holiday season. I’m also thankful to all of you, who encourage me along my writing journey (you didn’t think we would get back to that, did you?) as I pursue the purpose God has put on my life.
So what about you? Are you doing NaNo? Reach out and let me know how it is going!
Imperfect Progress Titles 
Thoughts?