Happy October!
Here we are - the final quarter of 2025 - the time to refocus efforts on making our annual goals happen.
I'm doubling down in what I called my 'Momento Mori Mood' back in my mid-year review, which you can click to read; the main mood is that
I chose this phrase not to be morbid, but to remind myself that however my illness shapes my life at this point - this is still my life and I have one shot at going for something I truly desire. I want to write, publish, share, celebrate the kinds of stories I love to read. And I want to make an income from my writing and not feel some odd guilt that this is not allowed.
This remains the same as I move into the final quarter of 2025 - and I am still working towards publishing my first cozy mystery.
More than words: writing through pain
I'm happy to report that in spite of my mid-September creative slump, I have been writing and begin this quarter with another 7k words added to my manuscript.
This might seem a lot or a little - but for me, this is something to be proud of as some of my most debilitating and demoralising pain flares have been the running feature of the past month.
This 7k words is worth so much more than the actual word count to me; it is a reminder that I am making progress even when it really feels like I am not; when I feel like I will never get there.
I will.
More than words: getting out of my own way
As I move into the final quarter of the year, I still have a lot of work to do towards my big goal of 2025 - to have my first cozy mystery published.
I have had to modify my goal slightly - and make peace with that.
I am now aiming to have a proof paperback copy of my book in my hands at the end of the year - with actual publication in early 2026.
This is more realistic given the pace at which I can write through the pain - and also in having laid some big foundational habit changes over this year that will help me with the indie publishing production costs side of this goal.
In addition to those 7k words added over September, I've also decluttered most of my old 'fantasy' self wardrobe and life; I've made peace with my body as it is now and I've realised how much I need to focus on comfort in as many areas as possible in order to be able to write.
I also need much less 'stuff' taking up my headspace and actual energy in terms of cleaning and tidying.
I documented some of this process over on social media for September - which I found extremely helpful for accountability, motivation and support; as I've said before - being chronically ill is isolating. Online communities really help.
That said; I'm ready to let a lot of this go from my focus and time - I am ready to fully face the fear that comes from focusing on one big goal - from putting 'all your eggs in one basket'.
Momento Mori Mood 2.0
I have to focus on this book and this goal with all my available and best energies; I've allowed myself to be distracted for too long now. I know why; it has taken me a long time to work out how to trust this body and what is best for me to do in it now.
Here's to embracing that 'momento mori mood' - this is my life; this is what I am working with - and I can still do some pretty brilliant things within it.
Here's to Quarter 4 and making our goals - wildest dreams and ambitions - come to fruition.
x
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