It’s my She Speaks 2019 Anniversary

She Speaks 2019 – one year later. Reflections on my first year as a writer after attending the She Speaks conference for Christian women writers and speakers.

It’s my She Speaks 2019 Anniversary! This time last year I was embarking on the beginning of my writing/speaking adventure by going to my first writer’s conference.

On anniversaries I like to pause and reflect. It’s an invitation to look back on the last year and see how far you’ve come. 

It’s also an invitation to go deeper next year.

She Speaks 2019 – first year of progress

Since showing up in Charlotte in obedience – armed with a book proposal and a lot of hope – what has happened? Here’s my writing journey recap, 1 year later:

• I redesigned and rebuilt my website – DIY style!
• I started my email list with the Intuitive Eating Starter Kit for Christian Women
• I started a podcast and worked in collaboration with my co-host and friend to record the entire first season before launching.
• I participated in my first social media challenge/giveaway as a collaboration with friends
• I collaborated with my podcast co-host on an online course – Ditch the Diet Masterclass
• I was part of a book launch team and an online course launch team
• I created a mini e-book to go with the podcast
• I had my 1st ever speaking gig at the Pain Into Purpose Virtual Summit
• I did guest interviews on several podcasts and recorded a talk for another virtual summit coming out in the fall 
• I hired the help I needed because, despite the above list, I may TRY but I cannot actually do all.the.things

It feels good to reflect on this list. 

I can see how far I’ve come in the last year. I consider these to be WINS because I showed up and did it in obedience, regardless of the outcome. That feels good to me!

She Speaks 2019 – first year of struggles

But of course, it’s not all WINS…

• It’s been a year and I still don’t have a literary agent.
• I still don’t have a book deal.
• I still don’t have a podcast (although it’s finally launching the next few weeks!)
• I still don’t have enough email subscribers for publishers to take notice.
• I still don’t have enough Instagram followers for publishers to take notice.
• I have grown, but not at the desired parabolic rate of overnight success that seems to be the metric from the industry for how you know you’ve “made it”.

What I’ve learned in the last year

But what I’ve learned in the last year is while none of these struggles are wins, they’re not losses, either.

One of the main lessons God keeps tapping me on the shoulder with is that success doesn’t have to look like how I think it’s going to look.

So in the year to come, I’m accepting the invitation to go deeper.

I am (again) releasing my attachment to outcome and releasing the expectations of what I think it “should” look like.

I literally have no idea what the Lord has in store for my writing, speaking and podcasting. But the beautiful part of surrender is the unknown. 

I don’t have to know what He has planned… I know that it is good, whatever it is! 

I trust Him with the outcome.

I can offer my five small barley loaves and two small fish and let Him write the story He wants to write.

I’m ready for another year of walking this out with the Lord.

I’m ready for another year of following Jesus not diets.

I think my anthem to set the tone for this year to come has to be “Available” by Elevation Worship.

I hear You call
I am available
I say yes Lord
I am available