10 Things That Worked for Me (An Emily P. Freeman-Inspired Reflection)

Let’s begin with a disclaimer. Reflecting on the things that worked for me in 2022 is an idea I borrowed from Emily P. Freeman, whose annual, end-of-the-year list-making was inspired by Anne Bogel’s question, “What worked this year?” For Emily’s tips on this reflective practice, and to find out what worked for her in 2022, listen to episode 259 on The Next Right Thing.

Are you ready? Let’s jump in!

1. Ditching New Years’s Resolutions

First on my list of what worked for me in 2022 is ditching New Year’s resolutions. You know that feeling that you’re behind before the year’s hardly begun? The guilt that you don’t have written resolutions—and if you did, you’d likely not keep them anyways. They inch in, unwelcome, in January. Air their disapproval. Flout our best intentions. Make us feel small.

I’m all for getting healthier, deepening relationships, rushing less and savoring more, trusting, surrendering, spending time with Jesus, and keeping a grateful-for list. But New Year’s resolutions aren’t the best method for getting me there, and that’s why I ditched them this year.

2. Accountability for my word of the year

Number two on my list closely relates. Instead of New Year’s resolutions, I choose a word of the year. What worked especially well this year was building in accountability to encourage me to keep leaning hard into my word of the year.

Here’s what that looked like: My word for 2022 was release, and I shared something God and I had been chatting about that I needed to release in my weekly note for my email community. This little section in Tuesdays with Twyla kept my conversation with God ongoing and honest. I know I grew more from my word of the year because of it. (By the way, if you’re not getting Tuesdays with Twyla yet, you can sign up here to get my weekly emails.)

3. Linking arms with others

Sharing rides, meals, tears, praises and prayers and imperfections, our home. Asking for help, feedback, grace. Collaborating, connecting, inviting. Family team-building. So much of the best of 2022 has been a result of liking arms with others, remembering I don’t have to do it all alone, bravely choosing community and authenticity.

linking arms equals the best of 2022 quote

4. Taking Ann Kroeker’s Your Compelling Book Proposal course

Although I began the course in 2021, I spent much of 2022 working through Ann Kroeker’s Your Compelling Book Proposal course and then pitching my proposal to literary agents, and Ann’s course is high on my list of what worked for me. Ann quickly became one of my favorite people. She’s kind, incredibly generous, and brilliant. Her course and coaching answered so many questions I would never have thought to ask, and was instrumental in landing a contract with a literary agent before the end of the year.

Follow writers, if you have a book idea but the proposal-writing process feels overwhelming, I can’t recommend Ann Kroeker’s course more highly!

5. Reading books slower

I power-read a daunting stack of books for my proposal in 2021. In 2022, however, I read much fewer books, and I read more slowly. This too worked for me. I read great books—books I wanted to savor and remember, and hence I read slowly, underlined a lot, and mulled over many lines long after reading them.

Curious what my favorites reads are from 2022?

I couldn’t put down I’ll be There (But I’ll Be Wearing Sweatpants) by Amy Weatherly and Jess Johnston. Still can’t stop talking about Jennie Allen’s Find Your People. Want to read Ann Voskamp’s Waymaker many more times because it’s beautiful and so Ann in every way. Return often to the lessons in Jennifer Dukes Lee’s Growing Slow.

Glad Your’re Here by Walker Hayes and Craig Allen Cooper deeply moved me. Get to the Publishing Punchline by Joy Eggerichs Reed is every bit of what it claims to be—witty, delightful, and incredibly helpful.

What I’m currently reading: Start with Hello by Shannon Martin. This is one I want to read as fast as I can, but also as slowly as possible so I don’t miss anything. I can’t get over how much I resonate with Shannon’s message and drool over her artistic writing voice. Also, Jesus, Love, and Tacos by Carrie Stephens. Another incredible book that I’m reading slow on purpose.

6. Using a paperback of the TPT

I like to write on my laptop, but I prefer a book in my hand when I’m reading—and my favorite pens within reach. It’s no different when it comes to my Bible. I finished the New Testament paperback of The Passion Translation this year, and it greatly influenced both my faith and my writing. Verses long familiar to me speak to me in a fresh way when I read a different translation for the first time, and the footnotes amplified my understanding.

7. Eating less sugar

This one doesn’t need much explanation, but it’s been a significant shift for me this year, and I’ve felt much better because of it.

8. Saying yes to more overnight trips

Another thing that worked well in 2022 was getting away more often. An overnight or two here and there for fall break, spring break, our anniversary, dance nationals, the Hope*Writers conference. Many memories were made with the people who matter most to me, and I’m beyond grateful for that.

9. Playing songs on repeat

I’m fully embracing my need for repetition. There are some songs—admittedly all worship songs with that raw, authentic quality—that simply need to be heard over and over again. Sometimes I play the same song on repeat for weeks. It helps me write because song changes can be distracting unless they’re instrumental. It also means that those uplifting lyrics play like a soundtrack in my head, even when the music is actually on.

If you get Tuesdays with Twyla, you’ve been privy to the songs I just cannot help but play on repeat. If you don’t want to miss out, join us here!

10. Getting an air fryer

I’ll end with one that might sound silly, but honestly, it’s been one of our favorite purchases in 2022. Thank you, Amazon Prime day, for nudging us to finally try an air fryer. We use it almost every day. Thank you, thank you!

Your turn!

I’d love to hear from you in the comments! What’s one thing that worked well for you in 2022?

Just a friend over here in your corner,

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