2016 was a funny old year wasn’t it? There was so much loss in terms of celebrities we loved, there was Trump, and the whole world seemed to be filled with political unrest. Not to mention the many racist attacks that Brexit provoked. And I found myself nodding along when people say how bad a year it was.
But then I got to thinking. For me personally, 2016 wasn’t all bad. It wasn’t all good, but it had it’s moments. It taught me endurance.
In March of 2016, my Grandmother died. It was obviously an awful time, but she had been ill for a long time and by the end, I truly believe it was a mercy for her. Maybe it was this realisation, or maybe I inherited a bit of her fighting spirit (until she became ill, she was a very independent woman who still lived alone, socialised and had a very active life – she was 92), but I decided I was going to turn that year around. And I think I did.
So although I nod along when people say 2016 was an awful year, and although I can look at world issues and agree, it was also the year that I truly saw for the first time that I could do anything if I put my mind to it.
During the first few months of the year, I managed to go to the hospital to see my Grandmother everyday. I also managed to work full time, blog five times a week and write and publish Twisted Tales 2. Was it easy? Hell no. I could have quite happily let one or more of those things go, but that’s not my style. If I gave up every time something got hard, I’d get very little done.
Somewhere in the middle of all that shit, I got nominated for a BiBs award, and all of the hard work suddenly made sense. And I saw that with hard work, anything is possible. I didn’t end up winning the award – I didn’t even make the finals, but that didn’t matter. What mattered was that I came to see that even at the darkest times, there is light to be found if you look for it.
Fast forward to July and I decided it was time to stop talking about freelancing and start doing it. So I did. And again, it wasn’t easy at first. I trawled through sites trying to find jobs that were worth it. Jobs that didn’t expect you to be grateful for the $5 they wanted to pay you to write 50,000 words (and yes, that was a genuine offer). And slowly, I started to work on jobs that were worth it. Financially worth it, and mentally rewarding.
I made the decision to work towards quitting my day job by the end of 2017 and writing full time.
By October, something told me that if I didn’t do this now, I never would. So I did it. I handed my notice in at work, and I’ve never looked back. I’m now doing something I love for a living and I’m making more money than I was at my previous job. I was on target to hit my end of year goals and things were looking good. Yesterday, I launched my freelance website.
And then November hit. For some reason, on October 31st at 3am, I decided it would be a good idea to sign up for #NaNoWriMo (if you don’t know, the aim is to write a 50,000 word first draft of a novel through November). It sounded easy enough. I think to hit target, its something like 1,667 words a day. Easy right?
In theory, yes.
Except I was still trying to forge my career in freelance writing and still writing the blog, and doing all of the things that goes with blogging. And before I really knew it, it was November 27th and I had 3,000 words done.
The sensible thing to do at that point would have been to shrug it off and accept it wasn’t going to happen that year. The fact was though, I had announced on my blog and Twitter that I was doing it – and the thought of failing publicly made me want to curl up in a ball and cry (a bit melodramatic I know, but you get the drift).
So I spent two days banging out the remaining 47,000 words. And the days after that catching up on the work I should have been doing those two days. It was hard. It was painful at times. But I did it. I spent my Christmas holidays editing those words, and now, the book I wrote is due for release on February 27th.
So yes, 2016 was slog. I would go so far as to say it was a bitch of a year. But it was also a turning point for me. It was the year that made me see that anything is possible – it’s all about mind set and sheer determination.
And if I can do it, you can too. I don’t think I’m some special case. Anyone can achieve anything they want to if they put their mind to it (and are willing to pull a fair few all nighters).
Will it be easy? Nope. Will it be worth it? Yes. It will.
How was 2016 for you? Do you believe you can do anything if you put your mind to it? Let me know in the comments 🙂
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Your words were very inspiring!!! The best thing is that 2017 is here,….making things happen…and it will be a fabulous year!!!! thank you again.
I’ve also done nanowrimo. It’s not easy! Co Grayson on not only finishing but releasing the book as well.
Sorry to hear about your grandmother; my husband lost his in March as well, but it was sudden and unexpected for us.
Like you, our 2016 was full of ups and downs. Here’s to hope and possibilities in 2017 for all of us!
Ah, that should say congratulations. Darn smart phones!
Thank you 🙂 It’s not easy, but it’s fun and really gets the creative juices flowing 🙂
Sorry to hear about your husband’s grandmother – it’s always hard to lose someone but especially so when it’s unexpected.
2016 had its moments for us, too. I am hoping that 2017 is a bit kinder to us. Happy new year!
#anythinggoes
You are a true inspiration. It’s very true that if you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything. Good on you! I feel a little bit more inspired this morning.
Sally @ Life Loving
Inspirational! Anything is possible when you set your mind to it. Good luck on your 2017 goals. #anythinggoes
Blimmin eck! 47,000 words in two days?! Do you even sleep lady?
I feel put to shame by your extraordinary work ethic but might just have a go myself. Not the novel though. No way. Or would I?
Sorry to hear your sad news about your Gran – she sounds like one amazing lady. Jo x #Anythinggoes
Haha, I didn’t those two days! Go for it – seriously, anyone can do anything if they put their mind to it!
Thank you, she was 🙂 x
Well done with turning things around, digging deep and pulling things off – all very positive stuff to share. Alison x #AnythingGoes
You inspire me! To be able to do something you love for a living is a major goal. Keep at it, girl!
2016 was utterly insane for me and my family but I’m optimistic about the new year. 🙂
Thank you 🙂 Wishing you a fab 2017!
I am SO behind this, I thoroughly believe hard work and perseverance will take you SO so far!
Thank you 🙂 Me too!
Wow, 47000 in 2 days. Amazing work and very inspiring. #bloggerclubuk
Thank you 🙂
This is so true. Sometimes it’s hard to remember but the only person in charge of your own destiny if yourself #anythinggoes
I’m in total awe!! Seriously amazing year for you. I’m sorry about your grandmother but boy would she be proud of you! You really are so inspiring that i feel I need to get up and go do something amazing today so thank you for the virtual kick up the proverbial my lovely #BloggerClubUK
Thank you, that’s a really nice thing to say. Now go and make 2017 your year!
Well done! Very impressed with your NaNoWriMo effort, I can’t imagine how you managed 47,000 words iin 3 days – your poor fingers must have been aching! I tried doing it too but managed 26,000 which was really disappointing. Good luck with getting an agent and publisher for your book – sounds like that might be the achievement for 2017?
I hope so!
For us it was 2015 that was marked by huge tragedy for our family. My husband and I lost our fathers in six months of each other. Then December that year we had our beautiful third baby. It taught us lots of lessons and one go for it #bloggerclubuk
I’m sorry to hear about that. It’s good that the year ended with a positive for you though.
Amazing achievements – and you’re such an inspirational person! It’s making me think about what I want to achieve in my life goals in 2017 – can’t believe we’re a month in already!
2016 was a real mixed bag for me, real highs and lows. But yes I agree that you can only achieve what you set your mind on and it can be great! #bloggerclubuk
Stopping back again from #bloggerclubUK. Cheers to 2017 being a better year! We can do what we put our minds to!
What a year you had! But what you have achieved and that mindset of doing anything you put your mind to is fantastic and clearly works! 2016 was an up and down one for me too I got married which was the biggest highlight but there has also been stress and difficulties. I’m taking some determination and positive thinking from you though and thinking if I put my mind to things in 2017 I can achieve them!
forgot to add #BloggerClubUK
You totally can – make 2017 your year!
I hope you are very proud of yourself, you really did do what you put your mind to do. Whenever you doubt yourself, read this post! #BloggerClubUK
Hi Debbie
good post. It might be worth writing more in detail about how you starting freelance writing and found the jobs worth doing. Im sure its something a lot of people would want to read.
I’ve got something lined up later in the month about going freelance 🙂 I hope it will help people to see it is doable
Wow what a year! I’ve been thinking about writing a book for ages now – I’ve started putting together some ideas but hearing how much you have achieved makes me want to just get going! #bloggersclubuk
Go for it – you can do it!
Love this. It is exactly what I needed to read right now. Thank you! Congratulations on your achievements in 2016, you must be so proud. Hard work really does pay off. I need to remind myself of that whenever I feel like giving up. #BloggerClubUk
I’ve heard that 2016 was an ending year and 2017 is part of a fresh cycle. It’s wonderful that you reached your goals. #bloggersclubuk
I really needed to read this today because I had a good old cry about how shit my blog was last night and how I feel I’m never going to be any good. You’re an inspiration. I need a slap round the face. It’s not easy but then if it was everyone would be doing it. Congratulations on all you achieved Xx #BloggerClubUK
Oh Debbie, this is amazing! Huge congrats to you on your freelance website! I want to see it, what’s the url? Tweet it to me please. I’m so proud of you – setting your mind to your goals & achieving them. It’s a true inspiration! #BloggerClubUK
Thank you 🙂 I’ll tweet you the url now, let me know what you think! x
Oh I love this! So true and something that I am trying to put into practice now I am back at work and still trying to keep the blog up. I love that you decided to live your dreams, so inspirational. Looking forward to what 2017 brings you xx #BloggerClubUK