I have a confession to make:
My Christmas tree is still naked.
It’s lit and all the other Christmas decorations are up around the house, but the ornaments are still in bins sitting under the tree instead of presents.
Why?
Because our tradition is to decorate together as a family, but our schedule has been so jam packed with holiday concert rehearsals and parades and semi-formals and Secret Santa exchanges and homework. And that’s just the kids. Add in some crazy busy work schedules and volunteer commitments for the grown-ups and it’s suddenly mid-December and the tree is still just a tree.
As I stared at my empty tree drinking my coffee this morning, I realized the tree feels a lot like my rough draft.
I’ve got the bare bones of this story there and have all the necessary revisions planned out like the boxes of ornaments squatting under my tree, but the act of revising has been taking a back seat to a busy schedule lately.
And both are bothering me.
The naked tree. The untended manuscript.
But life is what it is right now.
I’m trying to use this time of year full of reflection and planning to readjust my process and goals.
For the tree, that means adjusting my expectations. I know it will get done and doing it together as a family is more important to me than just getting it done.
For the revision, it means digging into why I’m letting other tasks take priority over my writing. Some are deadlines that came this month that were unavoidable and worthwhile and won’t be issues in January. Other tasks were simply busy work that felt easier to do than the deep work of revision. That’s something I need to sit with and make a better plan for combating.
That might mean time blocking in a more regimented way than I am now.
Or maybe an accountability partner.
Or a change in my morning routine.
Or simply recognizing that the heavy mental load of the holidays is maybe not the best time for heavy-duty revision work.
I don’t know yet.
But admitting it here–both the naked tree and stalled revision–feels like a start in the right direction.
These aren’t things to hide. The tree is still up and beautiful. Maybe not as pretty as it will be when we’re done, but it’s not an eyesore.
My rough draft is still a huge accomplishment. Maybe not as pretty as it will be when I’m done, but it’s not nothing.
Whatever your naked tree is this season, either in your personal life or your writing one, take some time to appreciate what is and I wish you the opportunity to make it what you want it to be when you’re ready.
And if 2025 is the time you need help with accomplishing your story goals, reach out. I’m here. And I get it.
Ready to get support? Check out my book coaching services below for more info on how I can support your writing journey: