RE-Proactivate

 I think the word I chose at the beginning of the year was Proactivate. Which, of course, I made up. But, it encapsuled what I wanted my year to look like--me making decisions for my future and my happiness instead of just going along with the flow. Instead of being reactive to the world around me.

Well, that didn't happen. 2020 couldn't help but become a reactive year. For me it started at the end of 2019 when we lost two of our management staff to firings and went into the holiday season down an assistant store manager and with a newly promoted shift lead. Work was busy and full of stress.

Then in January, my youngest sister was diagnosed with breast cancer. Happily they got it super early, stage 0, and she's all good. But, the two weeks of not-knowing were pretty tough. And the end of January, I had my first (of three) kidney stones. That was fun.

And then Covid hit and nobody's life is the same anymore. As we've gone through employees like water, work has continued to be stressed. I feel like I'm running on a hamster wheel and not getting anywhere.

Right, back to the beginning and the year of Proactivate. 

I've made two, maybe three, decisions to help me get off that hamster wheel and be proactive about my future as a writer.

First, I entered Once Upon A Book Club contest to write a short story for their Advent box and won a spot. My short story (https://www.onceuponabookclub.com/shop/product/3207025792)

 will be the first one in the pamphlet and I believe this could be an amazing opportunity/calling card for my own publication dreams.  To that end, I've been working on wrapping up Suitcases.

Secondly, I've decided to participate in NANO this November. It's been a while since I've committed to NANO. While I think there are some great things about NANO--teaching writers that they can focus on writing daily, and basically taking a time-out from life to get this done. I don't care if I "win" by finishing my novel or writing 50K words. I'm going to be happy to just get a jump on the new project---turning my short story Finding La Sabrenenque into a full length novel. 

And after that, I have a sequel in my head for Analise, Danny, and her suitcases. Right now, I'm collecting notes in a notebook and letting the idea perculoate. 

My third decision was to purchase a three month membership to Silk and Sonder. I am in awe of Kristi's organization and planner. I've tried buying a planner every year at B&N, but I never really get past January.

But, Silk and Sonder's planner is sent monthly. I'm starting in November. And it's also about being mindful of your feelings and your life. And finding serenity. And peeps, I need me some serenity. I like that it's small notebook size and thin, kind of planner/journal.  I can take it with me easily if I'm so inclined. And each month has a new focus. November's is Happiness. If you're interested in checking them out, here's my link to:

http://silksonder.refr.cc/margies

So, that's it. Wish me well on my new Proactivate journey :) 

Mask up and Be well!