What I learned from a decade review

We’re at the end of another year and about to embark on not just a new page, or a new chapter or season, but a completely new decade.

Are you ready?

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While I’ve scoured the Internet for new bullet journal ideas, I’ve also read a few comments and posts from others who have reviewed the past decade, for themselves, their business or both. A lot can happen in a decade. When you review the past ten years of your life, how would you describe it?

More ups than downs?

More blessings than losses?

Are you exactly where you want to be?

For everyone’s sake, I truly hope your answers to above are a resounding “yes!”

As I’m preparing to wind down this last month of the year, and gearing up for the precious blank slate of not only another New Year, but a new decade, I thought it might be interesting to complete a decade review myself. Again, a lot can happen in ten years. When I look at the past ten years for myself, my family and my writing, it’s been a mixture of blessings, losses, challenges and changes.

Here’s an overview:

2010:

I wasn’t yet invested in my writing and had no clue that I could complete a novel; much less publish a whole mystery series and more.

Professionally, I was running my PI business and conducting primarily criminal defense investigations as a private investigator.

Personally, I was actively involved with our boys, who were in middle school and high school, and I was helping my in-laws while both of them fought different types of cancer, underwent surgeries and needed homecare. It was the passing of my father-in-law in September that made me think more seriously about what else I wanted to do during my lifetime.

2011: 

I made the decision to give writing a shot and spent four months working on the first draft of my first novel in secret before finally spilling the beans with the first post of my new blog. A lot of firsts happened that year!

2012:

After battling the recession for a few years, the need for a job with benefits and regular pay led me to take on a day job.

I published the first novel in my mystery series and held my first book signing.

2013:

My first novel earned me the title of quarter-finalist in an Amazon contest (top 100 out of 10,000 entries), which fostered the notion that I might actually be good at telling stories.

The second novel in the series was published.

A first for me in 40+ years, I had to undergo major surgery.

2014:

The third novel in the series was published.

I ventured into another genre and wrote a ghost story as a gift for my boys, which I later decided to publish as a short story.

As I usually do, I posted a year-end review and my thoughts for the New Year, unaware I was sharing these thoughts only a day before my life would completely turn upside-down.

2015:

We lost my dad due to the actions of a driver under the influence, and the rest of the year was a roller-coaster ride of emotions as I tried to work through my grief.

I was able to publish another short story, but it had been a draft I began before my dad died and which I was able to work on when I had the mental energy.

2016:

The series was pretty much sidelined during 2015 as well as 2016, although I tried to write when I could. Mid-year we lost my stepmom to cancer and then my mother-in-law to cancer a few months later. It wasn’t until September that I felt ready to focus more on the present/future and less on the past.

2017:

My plan to hit the ground running was thwarted when I injured my back in a big way in January, leaving me to focus more on medical appointments, physical therapy and self care, and time spent writing the fourth novel in the series when I was able.

The second half of the year my focus was also on Piper (the only real character in my series). She fought an infection in her neck for months that turned to cancer, which she lost the battle to in September.

Throwing all caution aside with a mix of giving fate the middle finger and finally committing to believing in myself, I decided to leave the day job and focus only on writing. My last day at the day job was December 31^st and I can’t believe it’s been two years already since I made that decision.

2018:

The fourth book in the series was published.

After much debate, because I wasn’t sure I was ready to get another dog…we brought Jozee home. Not only is she now a hospital therapy dog, she was much-needed therapy for me.

My first nonfiction book was published and it wasn’t for money, stats or reviews, but was something I decided I had to write for myself relating to the first five years of my writing and publishing life.

2019:

The fifth book in the series was published, after all of the covers of the series were completely redone.

Beyond completing the fifth in the series, I started a website, began offering monthly newsletters, finished the first draft of a young adult novel, spoke at an event with over 200 attendees, and completed my second year away from the day job.

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The past ten years have included a mixture of extreme highs and lows, sandwiched around many firsts, accomplishments, challenges and changes. While I could certainly add to this timeline, this list is what has had the greatest influence on who I am today.

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What’s next?

The following is what I’ve learned after completing a decade review and what I’ll hold on to as we move into the New Year and a fresh new decade:

• Bad things will happen and are out of our control but during those times, take control by giving yourself time to figure things out and don’t apologize for it, especially if your life will involve moving forward with a new normal.
• Move past regret for what you think you should have done differently; learn from it and move on. Stop living in the past.
• Continue to be brave; you will never fail if you never try but you will also never discover just how awesome life can be when you find your sweet spot in life.
• Continue to believe in yourself and always appreciate and give back to your tribe (both professionally and personally); they will always believe in you and will hold you up during times when you might falter.
• When you reach a goal after putting in the work, celebrate and enjoy the moment but don’t get too comfortable. Keep moving, continue to do the work, continue to learn, put your energy and knowledge into the next project and endeavor to move forward.
• Finally, love yourself. Be kind to your mind, body and spirit. Don’t take in more than you put out; don’t deplete your tank by giving more than you’re able. Find time to recharge, enjoy life, be present by living in the moment and appreciate what you have with a grateful heart.

With those bits of advice from what I’ve learned the past ten years, I’m ready for the New Year and with a positive mindset, the next ten years as well.

How about you?

What have the past ten years taught you about yourself and what can you take from that in order to make the next ten years even better? Whatever you’ve learned and can draw on as you merge into the New Year, I hope it benefits you well.

With that, I also wish you a safe and blessed New Year’s Eve and a very Happy New Year!