Goodbye 2023 + 2024 Motto

It's been real, but 2024 holds much promise.

2023

The last few years, I’ve done what I call a “slow social month” where I step back from social media and projects. I had a few posts scheduled for the month. But that’s pretty much it. It allows me to be present—to focus on my family, friends, and the extra activities that come with the holidays.

I’ve truly enjoyed the down time. 2023 “was real”. There were some really tough things like an initial cancer diagnosis for my dad (which turned out to be incorrect, thankfully), two kids in college (and one struggling in ways I can’t fix for them), saying goodbye to a sweet pet ferret, and upheaval in a writing group I’m in (which has settled down—whew!).

But there were many amazing things too. I returned to Japan, this time with my husband—who enjoyed the visit and discoveries along the way just as much as I did. Reconnecting with my husband, too. My youngest graduating from high school. Publishing the second book in my Liminal Chronicles urban fantasy series. Meeting the man who inspired my main character. Growing closer with friends. And much, much more.

2024 on the Horizon

Now that it’s December 31, I look forward to the start of 2024 and the hope a new year always brings—the possibilities, the ideas, and life together with my friends, family, and you—my dear readers.

Instead of making New Year’s resolutions. I like to pick a motto for the coming year and place it on my Notion dashboard so I can keep it in mind for planning as I see it each day.

For 2024 I picked a single character concept 間 (“MA”). As I understand it, it’s the idea of space and negative space. Where the emptiness represents possibilities. Kind of like “less is more” or a pause or a breath between phrases or musical notes.

Often, I try to cram too much into my life whether it’s tasks, my living and working space, my time, or commitments. This was only exacerbated when I became an author. There’s always so much to do and think about for books, publicity, and releases.

It won’t be an easy motto to focus on. Not at all. So I think MA as a concept will be a good thing for me and a way to grow and stretch how I think and how I curate my life, my task lists, my home and office, and my time.

With those thoughts, consider…

What would you pick for your 2024 motto and why?

As I sign off, I’ll remind you to…

Be the Difference. Be extraordinary.

All the best,

Amy

Feel free to hang out with me in Substack Notes and share your thoughts.

Cover photo by Cristian Escobar on Unsplash