Annnddd I’m back! I am so excited to share that I sent the final manuscript of my book to my editor yesterday at 5 p.m.

2014 can be summarized as “the year of book writing” for me. At the end of 2013, I was connected to an editor through a mutual friend. The editor was looking for someone to make a vision she had for a fitness book about planks come to life. I submitted a proposal and it was accepted. I spent January-May of 2014 working on the plank book and submitted my final copy on May 1. What I didn’t know at the time was that submitting final copy does not mean the project is done. I spent the next few months going back and forth with copy editing and reviewing several drafts of the book in layout. It was a long process and a labor of love but the book will finally be released in March!

(photography Wanda Koch)

After I turned in the plank book I said never again…and then I did it again. My editor approached me about pitching a yoga inversions book and I felt like I just couldn’t say no. I LOVE YOGA and to have an opportunity to write a book about it was something I couldn’t turn down.

I will honestly admit that the yoga book didn’t go quite as smoothly as the plank book. Everything about it was a little more complicated and required even more attention to detail than my first book. I don’t like to do things halfway, so once I committed…I had to make it the best it could be. The last six months have been completely encompassed by proposals, photography, writing, brainstorming, planning, etc. I had strategy calls with my editor, meetings with my life coach/therapist about how to prioritize to get it done without losing my mind, numerous phone calls to my parents for encouragement and so on.

The thing about writing a book is that unless you’re a big famous author (or have a trust fund!), you can’t really stop working while you’re writing it. I had to figure out a way to maintain my other work obligations throughout the writing process. I did the very best I could but realized that there was no way I could maintain same level of involvement in everything and finish the book. I did have to give up and cut back on some things. It was a great exercise for me in learning that I truly can’t do it all and it’s okay to wave the white flag.

I can’t even begin to total up the hours that were spent writing this book. All I have to say is that my friends and family are probably equally as relieved to see this day come so they don’t have to hear me say “working on my book” every time they ask what my plans for the day/weekend/etc. are.

Finishing the book called for a little Monday night celebration. Prosecco and chocolate were the winners (along with some pretty flowers left over from the holidays). It was a nice cozy night at home and I didn’t crack my computer open once.

Now that the book is off my plate, I kind of feel like today is the true start of 2015 for me. I promised to share some thoughts on my intentions for the new year and it’s pretty simple.

I am intentionally SLOWING DOWN. As I begin the year, I am taking a hard look at all the things on my plate and refocusing my time, attention, tasks and priorities. I want to simplify and cut back on how much I do in order to leave more time for the things that matter most. I have spent the last four years working too much, sleeping too little and letting connections with friends, family and loved ones too often take the back burner. No more.

I am intentionally slowing down to make room for more of the good “life” stuff. I have even made a list of specific examples in my head.

– Spend more time with friends
– More weekend trips to visit family
– More day hikes, day trips, jaunts to Asheville, etc.
– Practice yoga regularly again
– Spend Saturday and Sunday afternoons doing whatever I want…whether that’s running errands, reading a book, cooking, going to yoga…without feeling guilty I’m not working
– More time in the kitchen for cooking, baking and recipe development
– More time to spend on this space and connecting with readers, writing new, creative and relevant content and responding to messages, emails and comments
– Commit to a meditation practice
– More time for reading and researching to make my yoga classes and personal training sessions even stronger

Last year I quit focusing so much on where I “should be” in life. I stopped worrying about where I would be 1 year, 5 years, 10 years from now after someone said to me, “don’t think about what life is going to look like, focus on how you want to feel.” When you start making decisions based on whether or not they promote the way you want to feel…things get a whole lot better all around. I’m going to write another post about this because it’s been such a game changer in my life.

I love my work and I remain grateful every single day that I get to call what I do my job. Nothing about that is changing. But “too much of a good thing” is a real thing and I’m ready to intentionally focus more attention on life, love, connections and friendships.

So that’s where I’m at going into 2015. It’s going to be an INTENTIONAL, HAPPY new year!

What are your goals/intentions/resolutions for 2015?