Begin Where You Are

Hi Friends and Family, 

I hope January has been good to you. I always pick a word for the new year that’s linked to my goal planning, including stretch goals for writing and publishing to keep pushing ahead with my author career, while also setting family goals. But 2026 followed one of the most challenging six months of my life. On New Year’s Day, instead of awaking happy and ready to tackle the new year, I felt completely drained. My typical peppy step was missing. I was exhausted, caring for my husband, chasing my kids, and trying desperately to write for even five minutes. I thought I failed before I even started.

I escaped into books, including reading a few new books and re-reading a couple favorites. There’s something comforting about getting lost in a book. It whispers, “I’m here. You can escape into my pages, sit, and stay a while.”

And then inevitably as all of us do, I scrolled through Instagram and came upon an inspiring message by Nasqaq:

A new year doesn’t ask you to be perfect. It asks you to begin where you are.

Move forward at your own pace.

One brave step can change everything.

This message resonated so deeply with me. I am a hard worker and perfectionist, and at times, being a perfectionist can be extremely stressful. I always want to produce the very best product. So I push myself to do more, more, more. But I realized that I have been putting too much pressure on myself. My anxiety peaked, and my emotions were a wreck. With a husband healing from brain surgery at home and two children to take care of as well as myself, I became overwhelmed, trying to juggle and accomplish everything, including writing and editing my books in the few, spare moments. And so, instead of getting frustrated. I reminded myself that every moment spent with working toward my goal of a career author is another step forward—regardless of how long. Even a minute brainstorming was a cause for celebration. Because I was moving forward.

I also moved forward by taking care of myself and my mental health. Being a caregiver is an incredible gift, but it’s also physically, emotionally, and mentally taxing. I took a few extra weeks of FMLA to not only support my husband, but to take care of myself and my kids. I got to just be mom. In the morning, I snuggled with my children, kissed their sweet, soft hair, and made muffins, pancakes, and scones along with omelets and scrambles. When school started back up, I didn’t have to juggle my mornings, stressed and multi-tasking before 8 a.m. Instead, I watched my son ride his BMX bike around our cul-de-sac and jump curbs with the biggest smile on his face and cheered my daughter as she cartwheeled in our front yard, while the golden morning sun sparkled all around us.

And during the day, I cleaned, did laundry, practiced driving with my husband, Charles, helped him with word puzzles, and went for walks to improve his endurance, but also I got to rest and snuggle with him, and watch Gilmore Girls and the adaptation of People We Meet on Vacation.

And I breathed.

I gave myself grace.

Yes, I cried. Many times.

But I also laughed and loved. And isn’t that the best part?

Last week, I also had the opportunity to attend my very first author meet and greet with one of my absolute favorite authors, Sarah Adams.

My friends Madison and Aly joined me. And at one point, Madison leaned over and said, “Just wait this will be you one day!”

I cannot wait.

Today, on the very last day of January, I’m grateful for every step that’s carried me here—every struggle and every celebration because I kept going, and I’ll continue moving forward.

So instead of picking a new word for 2026, I’m going to begin where I am. Begin right now. Begin tonight. Begin tomorrow. Begin next month and keep beginning and believing in myself because it’s never too late to begin where you are.

If you’re struggling, I see you. Begin where you are my friends.

With love,