High Hopes for 2022

We’re a little over a week into the year and a lot of us are apprehensive, but I still have high hopes for 2022.

I spent the last couple weeks of 2021 thinking about my challenges and wins during the year, as well as imagining what I want out of 2022. For the last couple of years, I’ve chosen a word for the year. It’s been hard to nail one down this year, but I have the following on my shortlist: expansion, abundance, success.

To round out my 2022 manifesting, I plan to create a digital vision board that reflects the dreams, intentions, and goals I’ve listed below.

Dreams

For me, the difference between dreams and goals comes down to two things: luck and no control over an outcome. When I dream, I put in a lot of effort into manifesting my wishes through hard work on the backend, then release them into the Universe with the hopes that they come true.

I’ve got big dreams for 2022–any of which might alter the entire trajectory of my life.

Dream #1 (The Big One): Land a multi-book deal.

I feel it in my soul that I was born to entertain and connect with people through my writing. And I’m going to toot my own horn: I know I have talent and a distinctive voice. If you don’t believe in yourself, why should anyone else?

I’ve made it up the first rung of the ladder: getting an agent. But I’ll be honest and admit that after a little more than a year on submission and getting no bites, I’m a bit disillusioned with the publishing industry. All I can do is keep my head up, write the best story I can, and pray that my manuscript lands on the right editor’s desk at the right time.

My ULTIMATE DREAM goes all the way back to my days in the Writing for the Screen and Stage program at UNC. Not only do I want to write a well-received, best-selling novel that ends up in brick-and-mortar stores, but I want to adapt it for the big screen/Netflix/Hulu/Amazon. Maybe get one of those director chairs with my name on it and walk a red carpet or two.

Dream #2: My lichen planus goes into remission.

Y’all, I’ve spent the last year and a half on and off Prednisone fighting this stupid skin autoimmune issue. I’ve tried several additional medications, gone to four different doctors, and nothing has worked. It’s like throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks. I’m ready to accept thoughts and prayers at this point.

Dream #3: Lose my Super Single status.

I adore my independence but your girl gets tired of doing everything on her own. That being said, I refuse to settle. I want someone who understands my love language is Acts of Service and Words of Affirmations and meets those needs. I want a travel companion and a dance partner. Someone who accepts me as I am, supports my work, and pushes me to be my very best. Where art thou, my handsome, intelligent, kind man with monies, sweet moves, and good banter?

Dream #4: Spend part of the summer abroad.

Covid willing, I’d love to rent an Airbnb for a few weeks in Portugal or Mérida (Mexico). A slower pace of life, lower cost of living, the inspiration that comes from exploring a new locale…yes, please!

Intentions

I think of intentions as continuous plans without a hard and fast finish line. The below intentions are adjustments I can make to improve the quality of my daily life.

1. Limit my time on social media. I wish I could quit you, social media! Since I can’t, I intend to spend mindlessly scrolling on social media and being intentional with my time.
2. Reclaim my joy when it comes to writing (*spoiler: this is the topic of my next post). I intend to fall in love with writing again.
3. Get reacquainted with my spiritual practice. I intend to do more check-in tarot spreads, meditate, practice gratitude, and journal more frequently.
4. Establish a work-life balance. I skew too far on the work-side of things. I intend to play rest more, and say “No” to things I don’t want to do/don’t align with my goals and needs.
5. Ask for help when I need it. I think I’ll be working on this for the rest of my life!

Goals

Unlike dreams, whether I achieve my goals is fully within my control. There’s a tangible “finish line.” I’m going to give myself grace if there are things I on this list that I don’t accomplish by the end of the year.

• Finish my current manuscript, CHAOS, and send it out on submission.
• Write a proposal (blurb, synopsis, first act) of my next book, BAD DECISIONS.
• Read 25 books this year (with an emphasis on BIPOC authors, LGBTQ+ authors, and rom-coms).
• Work on Secret Pen Name Self-Pub project.
• Return to a hobby I enjoy like bachata, glass fusing or belly dancing.
• Be consistent with blogging by publishing one post a week! (This one’s off to a great start, n’est-ce pas?)

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So there you have it, inhabitants of the Interweb–my roadmap for 2022. Whether I manifest/accomplish one thing on this list or fifteen, I’m determined to embrace 2022 with open arms and look for silver linings wherever I can.

What’s one dream, intention, or goal you have for 2022?