Write. Something.

This reminder has been popping up on my phone for the last two weeks. It’s one I added for myself and something I feel strongly about. Why? Because it’s something I really like to do. But I keep letting other things get in the way. Or I think others won’t care or relate to things I’d like to say. Things on my heart or mind (probably both) which are more than likely things others can relate to, but I’ve convinced myself they won’t.

Have I ever mentioned how much I love data? I’m fascinated by charts and graphs and numbers and all the things that show the results of just about anything. I think it started with early Excel data but it wasn’t as cool until I started using a FitBit years ago. Steps. Sleep patterns. Activity tracking by time of day. It was beautiful – and the data was there to help me make better decisions. To know when I needed to get up and walk or how I needed to change my sleep patterns. I won’t bore you with how excited I get with work data, but it’s captivating!

Then came Spotify Wrapped. A audio/visual utopia of your music listening history of the past year. Every December, my siblings and I can’t wait for it to come out – and then we share all kinds of data with each other and laugh at how much John Tesh shows up in my favorite artist categories. (Month End and a need for calming instrumentals is a real thing people!)

Now, your inbox is filled with all sorts of year-end data – how many times you made a Dunkin run, how many different drinks you ordered at Starbucks, the varieties of hotel brands you’ve stayed, the list goes on. And you all know my personal favorite, the number of books I’ve read in a year!

This data is fun and made to look cool but we all use it to make better decisions or little adjustments for the next year. Subliminally or not, this data affects us. “I’m going to read more books of substance this year” or “I should not drink that much coffee on the road” or “I’m going to listen to more genres of music and expand my horizons”. These are some of the reasons I’ve turned into a real data nerd. Turn it into visuals that can help you shape plans and decisions to make changes and grow, and you’ve created a monster. Don’t get me started on fleet and sales data for forklifts – I can be a real handful ; ) Just ask all the IT guys I’ve worked with over the last ten years!

Then there’s the report that surprises you. One that sticks in your mind more than the others. One you’re not particularly proud or happy with, but that’s what I love about data. It doesn’t lie. And its’ most redeeming quality is that it can set you free.

For instance? Imagine my shock when I received my WordPress wrap up of 2023 and it showed I only wrote one blog post last year. One. That’s it.

The funny thing is – I have at least 20 posts that I started and never finished. Cause life got busy. Or I wasn’t sure just how vulnerable I wanted to be. Or I was just plain lazy.

Hence the reminder to write. Something. I need to get back into the habit of writing things down and editing posts so they’re readable. Of sharing life’s crazy triumphs and troubles – because of COURSE you guys can relate. Even if it’s just one thing. That’s what cool about life – we’re all doing it together and we all have different experiences to share.

So? This is the first of hopefully many posts of 2024. There’s a lot of real reasons why there were so few last year but it mostly comes down to it was a year of growth. Deep. Humbling. And painful. And wonderful. Glorious. And more importantly ? Liberating.

Honestly, I’m excited. There’s a bunch of writing projects just rolling around in my head and my heart that desperately want to be let out. One will probably be a series and I’ve held off starting it because I couldn’t decide what kind of voice to give it. Or figure out what message I wanted to tell through it. But you know what? The best ones write themselves. You just need to let it find its voice and then sit down and let it flow. That’s when you know it’s inspired. In this case, I just need to corral it all together and then let it do its thing.

This year has already been one of planning, self-work, wonder, surprises and challenges. And purpose. And calling. And “I just want to be on a beach escaping life”. It’s gonna be a fun one, people! Hang on – it could be a wild ride.