Cheers!

Reflections: Another Year Draws to an End – Happy New Year

Published on by

Happy New Year

 

As this year of 2016 draws to an end, many of us will reflect on what has transpired in our lives in the last 12 months. We may re-evaluate some of the decisions we’ve made, take pride in our accomplishments, kick ourselves for things we didn’t get done, and be busy planning for the new year.

 

Personally speaking, this year has been one of the most challenging for me of any I can remember. The year started off exciting as my husband and I got to spend our dream winter vacation, 2 months in Arizona, and within one day of landing back home, our health related nightmares began, first with our both contacting Influenza on the airplane coming home, knocking us both out, me for almost 2 weeks and for him, setting off underlying issues which had him in and out of hospitals till mid May, and my almost losing him twice through his demise.

In the midst of the mayhem I was finishing my latest book and spent the summer in re-writes and edits and gathering oodles of information in defense of the Revenue Canada Agency audit that had been ongoing since the previous year, claiming being an author isn’t a job. Ya, pretty funny eh? Well after 14 months of that battle, I managed to win, not without costing thousands of dollars in accounting fees which proved to be almost as much as the government wanted back from me in the first place. And my husband’s audit is still in appeals since last year.

I spent a lot of time with my sister this year, trying to help her with her own unpleasant issues, health and otherwise, and even began writing a new book. I began doing my Sunday book reviews and weekly authors with a new book interviews, and had been invited to do several interviews myself, which was a thrill for me and a great boost to my book sales. And with all that’s gone on, I’ve been enduring my own health issues, residual effects of stress I’m told. I say that because I never know when to stop even though my body sends me the warning signs. So with that said, I know I have to come up with a new plan of action in the new year.

I have never taken a blogging break in almost 4 years. I always feel as though everything I’ve worked hard to build for my following and readership will disappear if I abandon the blogosphere, so I never stopped, even when on vacation. But I’ve done a lot of soul searching and I’ve seen other bloggers come and go on vacation and it seems their lives pick up where they’ve left off without others abandoning their blogs, so I think this winter when, hopefully we get another chance to go away again, with the expense it costs to do so and especially with extra insurance costs to make sure my husband is covered to travel with peace of mind, this time I’m going to take a time out and savor every moment of my vacation. I’m working on my plans for the new year.

I will continue my Friday author interviews until the end of January, and book reviews will become sporadic, as I finish one, I’ll review through January. And in hoping that our plans to leave for Florida in early February take off, I’ll be busy sorting out things to prepare for the trip, and of course PACKING, which is a full time job for me, LOL as many of you may know from my book, Have Bags, Will Travel  .

I’ll be around in January, so before I take off in February, I’ll write a post stating whatever I decide to do with blogging while away. I’m hoping to venture into some different promoting next year, finish writing another book, and extending my writing to doing some freelance content writing to supplement ‘the author income’. So I already know I have a full plate set for next year.

I’d like to take this moment to wish all of you a beautiful New Year. May it be filled with health, peace and happiness, and a little prosperity is always nice too.

 

Cheers!

71 thoughts on “Reflections: Another Year Draws to an End – Happy New Year”

  1. Isn’t it strange, Debby, we almost end up apologising for ‘taking a break’! It sounds as though you really need to sit back an re-evaluate ‘real life’ versus ‘online life’ – something I’ve had to do a lot of this last year. 2016 has been difficult for so many of my friends. My aim this year is to try to have the right balance. I wish you both better health and am sending many good vibes your way. Enjoy 2017.xx

    Like

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much Judith. Yes, you are so right. It does almost feel like apologizing because blogging is a natural part of our day and when we don’t blog, some of us feel as though we’re leaving our readers in the lurch. In many other ways during some of the lunacy that went on in 2016, blogging was like a lifeboat, a connection with the human race, when all else seemed bleak. I hope to find a right balance someday too, lol.
      But for now, I’m focusing on a fresh, good year, and I will still be round through the month of January, and then who knows where or when I’ll pop up while on my long awaited vacation. Happiest of New Year’s to you too my friend. ❤ xo

      Like

      Reply

    1. Thanks so much Christoph for your beautiful comment and wishes. And I’ll be around for January, and my vacation post will definitely have a bit about London in June! Oh yes my friend, I’m aiming huge to get to the Bash to meet so many of you who have become wonderful friends! Happy New Year my friend. Big hugs! xoxo<3

      Like

      Reply

  5. Blogs with heart never go away … there are some I follow who ‘disappear’ for weeks, months and even a year yet such a thrill when they ‘reappear’ … you take care, my very best to you and yours … Happy New Year … Eric.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much Eric. You are very kind. I’m still here for another month, so you can’t get rid of me that quickly, lol. Wishing you and yours a Happy New Year too. 🙂

      Like

      Reply

  6. You have exhibited great grace under fire Debby and you know that we will keep your seat warm while you are away. You have been a huge support to all of us during the year and whilst we might miss your presence for a month or two you will still be in our hearts. Happy New Year to you both and safe and happy travels. ♥♥

    Like

    Reply

    1. Aw, thanks so much Sal. You know that means the world to me. I know when the time comes, it will be like going through withdrawl, lol, trying to stay away from the blogs. But I still have another month to go. Thanks for the wonderful wishes as always my special friend. ❤

      Like

      Reply

  7. Happy New Year! Sounds like you have a good plan in mind. I’ve been revisiting a perennial problem–finding an effective planning/organizing/project tracking and scheduling system. I think this will be the year I get it in place. I’ve got the goals and tasks on a combined spreadsheet. It WILL work.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Thanks John. And glad to hear you do finally have your plan of action. I know what I need to accomplish in 2017, I still have to make law and order of my list, lol. Hopefully we will both find a successful path. 🙂

      Like

      Reply

  8. From my perspective in your cheering stadium, you deserve a break.

    I’ve not taken a blog break either (except for 1-2 weeks when my mother died), and sometimes I feel like it. Although I absolutely love blogging and the connection to readers it provides, I probably should take a break in 2017 for two reasons. First of all, I must finish my memoir manuscript come hell or high water, secondly, I will need time to take care of a family member’s estate.

    More power to you, Debby! You will not lose readers if you take a break, even an extended one. I’m absolutely sure of that.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Thanks for the vote of confidence Marian! That’s inspiring to hear. Yes, we all need a break some time, and some take it so freely with no worries. I guess I’m just a professional worrier, – probably why I could use a break, lol. Well I”m still here for now. ❤

      Like

      Reply

  9. You certainly deserve a break after the year you’ve been through. It has been an honor connecting with you this year and I look forward to your offerings in 2017, and humbly hope you enjoy mine.
    I hope you have a wonderful vacation and I am so glad that it will be here in Florida where I live.
    Wishing you a Happy, Healthy New Year filled with love, joy and much success. ♥♥♥

    Like

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much Patricia. Likewise, it was lovely to connect. Oh, I won’t be too far from a computer at times. And you know me, when I have to say something, I find a way. There may be some interesting Facebook posts from me while away, lol. Yes, we’re heading to Fort Lauderdale with friends for 4 days before catching a 10 night cruise in February. A dream that’s been keeping me going the past month. Just have to make sure all medical status things are in order throughout January. Wishing you and yours too, a Happy, Healthy, Joyous New year! ❤ 🙂

      Like

      Reply

  11. We all deserve a break albeit thoughts keep flowing and the need to record them becomes quite natural for an author…Cheers dg! Wishing you a wonderful 2017, good health, happy writing and a stress-free vacation.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much Balroop for your well wishes. And yes, it is hard to keep an author away from writing, but maybe just the computer, lol. I write in longhand, so that comes everywhere and anywhere. 🙂 Happy New Year. ❤

      Like

      Reply

  13. You’re a beacon of light in our community, Deb, and people seek illumination. There’s no chance of your being forgotten. Enjoy your down time and drink in all it has to offer. Shout a “Howdy” to Arizona and have a cruise margarita for me 🙂 And remember: We’ll be keeping the light on for you ??

    Like

    Reply

    1. How lucky am I to have a wonderful friend like you Tina Manina! 🙂 ❤ Thank you my friend. And you know, no matter how hard I try to take a break, you'll see this mug show up somewhere unexpectedly, like Facebook, lol. I'm to vocal to not have a platform to voice my opinion on things. 🙂 xoxo ❤

      Like

      Reply

  14. I actually prefer the blogs that post less often, if that makes you feel any better about scaling back in 2017 – at the very least during vacations! (My own guilt mounts when I can’t keep up with VISITING all my blog-buddies every day.)

    2016 was not the happiest of years for me either – but since I’ve had MUCH worse, I almost hate to say anything negative about it (except for the election results, of course – my views are unconflicted about hate-mongering in ANY form and my spirit will *never* be willing to embrace a President who defaults to that mode).

    Here’s to an extremely healthy New Year for both you and your husband. I’d send packing karma, but I promise you do NOT want mine! Onward & Upward in the New Year.
    xx,
    mgh
    (Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMore dot com)
    – ADD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder –
    “It takes a village to transform a world!”

    Like

    Reply

    1. Lol Madelyn, although the subject matter isn’t humorous, your delivery is! And I’m with you on having to read so many blogs. When I began blogging I posted once a week! Obviously I didn’t feel like I was keeping up with the times, and then I made a promise to myself to blog 3 times a week, allowing an extra day for a possible reblog. I only post once each of those days because I too don’t like to inundate my readers. But everyone has their own ‘thing’, and I’ve found a way to at least sort my incoming emails, having a better grasp on which bloggers post more frequently, and I can pick and choose which ones appeal most to me. It’s barely impossible to read hundreds of posts a week and try to write books, so we all need to find a method that works best.
      Thanks again for your well wishes, and wishing you a great new year too! 🙂

      Like

      Reply

      1. I have been playing with posting every other day for a few months – with a great many “edited reblogs” of posts from my early days before many people had found my blog to be able to welcome my first-born brain-children. 🙂

        It’s still too much time spent blogging, leaving too little time for attention to the many other things that matter greatly to me — so I’m thinking that maybe 2-3x/week TOPS in the New Year.

        Maybe. Maybe I’ll post “serial” articles, each segment considerably shorter than what people are used to from me. We’ll see.

        I’ll be spending week-1 in January coming up with all kinds of plans and goals, praying that “coming up with” will motivate me to stay on the horse lol 🙂 – for at least long enough to see what works, revisit and revise.

        Since the demise of the functionality of Eudora Pro, I haven’t found an email client that allows me to do much of anything that was a piece of cake before – especially ways to filter and sort that don’t take as much time as going through emails one by one.
        xx,
        mgh

        Like

      2. I like your plans and look forward to your posts in the new year. I think many of us are trying to work on changing things up in the new year too. 😉

        Like

  16. Pingback: Final Bloggers around the Christmas Tree for 2016 and Happy New Year | Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life

  18. I am very sorry to hear of your husband’s health issues. It is a terrible thing going through chronic illness with someone you love. I have done it three times and my youngest son will never recover fully and will need to take medication forever. I hope you have a wonderful holiday and all the very best for 2017.

    Like

    Reply

  19. It seems you have had a very busy year. I’m sorry that 2016 involved a lot of serious health issues for your husband. I hope that 2017 is a much better one for both of you.

    Like

    Reply

  20. Phew… Yes what a Year Debby..
    And I can honestly say, taking time out helps restore our brain matter and enables us to take deep breaths in-between comments 🙂
    You so deserve a Holiday Break my friend ..
    I found turning off the modem all together stopped my itch to see what was going off on WP..
    I missed you all.. But sometimes we need to put ourselves first..

    I wish you and your Hubby continued good health as you start out in 2017… Enjoy your Holiday.. Take time out for yourselves and savor each and every moment..

    I have already booked another break away in Scotland for May.. 🙂

    Happy New Year Debby, May it be filled with Love, Good Health, Happiness and Abundance..
    Hugs to you.
    Sue xxx ❤

    Like

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much Sue for your beautiful wishes. Clean slate! It’s going to be a good year! Wishing you much peace and serenity, and all good things my friend. 🙂 xoxo ❤

      Like

      Reply

  21. I do wish you a better year in 2017, Debby, in all way, especially on the health front. Without that, life is not good. Take a break when you need it for your own sake. We all need to look after ourselves. 😀 ❤ ❤

    Like

    Reply

  22. Hi Deb, I will return to catch up with your other posts, as you know I’m not able to return to blogging just yet with too much going on behind the scenes, but I did want to pop in and let you know I’m still here. As we both know, life can come along and derail our writing when we least expect it. You’ve got some great plans for this year, I really hope you will truly enjoy your break in February and not worry about your blog. I’ve had to take several breaks as you know over my 4 years of blogging, most not of my desire, and the first time, I really worried that everyone would forget me and my blog would disappear. I was so relieved to find that didn’t happen, amazed even. I don’t like taking long breaks even now, but I’ve come to the conclusion that sometimes, there is no choice, such as last year when I lost my dad. What is so wonderful is the love and understanding and loyalty of our blogging communities and their faithfulness. You had a really rough year in 2016 and now it’s time for you to take that time out in February and I know it will envigorate you and the time with your hubby will be just wonderful, just what the doctor ordered 🙂 I know you aren’t going away just yet, but I will say now, just to reassure you, we will all be here waiting eagerly for your return and wanting to hear all about your vacation 🙂 Big hugs and much love to you my dear friend ❤ ❤ ❤

    Like

    Reply

    1. Sherri, thanks so much for leaving this beautiful, heartfelt message. You are truly encouraging and such a warrior woman yourself. Lord knows you have had your own challenges to deal with in the past year, yet your friendship always wears a smile, and you always manage to find the time to pop by and leave your voice of wisdom whether here or Facebook, no matter what you’re in the middle of dealing with.
      Thank you for being such a supportive friend and always throwing a smile or kind word my way at the most welcoming times. So happy to call you dear friend. Big hugs back, and lots of love to you. And now worries, you’ll get there when you get there!!! ❤ ❤ ❤ xoxoxo

      Like

      Reply

      1. Aww…I am close to tears reading your lovely reply dear Deb! Thanks so much for being so understanding and supportive of me too…your friendship means the world to me and I would say the very same about you, the way you always find the time to encourage and visit me wherever we both go! I’m still trying to get on track, but I am writing behind the scenes so that’s one good thing! I hope your projects are going well as you prepare for your break. I really hope this year is much smoother for you…for us both. And we will go through it together, for sure! Love you Deb…you’re wonderful! 🙂 ❤ ❤ ❤ xoxoxo

        Like

      2. Thank you so much Sherri, Amen to a better year for both of us. Keep your chin up with mine! I’m optimistic and sending you some of my vibes! Love you! xo ❤ ❤

        Like

  23. Okay. Easier said than done, I’ll admit but… If you need a break, take one. I highly doubt you will lose your readership though I do understand that fear. We are people. We need to do what’s best for us and others appreciate that we have lives outside of the blogosphere. I’ve been preaching this for years. Blogging and social media should not add more stress to already stressful/busy lives. Please, enjoy your break and we’ll see you when you get back. 🙂 Happy New Year!

    Like

    Reply

    1. Thanks Sarah for the kick in the pants, LOL. And thank you for the well wishes. I’m still here until first week February, so you aren’t rid of me yet, lol. Happy New Year to you too. 🙂 I shall pay heed!

      Like

      Reply

  24. I’m considering similar issues about blogging, Deb. I’ll be interested to see what you choose. Glad you’re going to warm climes this winter.

    Like

    Reply

  25. Hey Deb, obviously you will be missed when you take your break, but you are so right to do so, we all need to recharge our batteries eventually.
    I took a month off when went to NZ, and everything picked up without a hitch when I got back.
    Happy new year, and look forward to that holiday!

    Like

    Reply

    1. Thanks my friend, for the vote of confidence and your lovely wishes. Four weeks + 2 days and counting, lol. And I don’t think you’ll see me disappear off social media completely. I’ll check in here and there, but a blogging break is necessary. 🙂

      Like

      Reply

      1. Precisely what I did. It helped me that NZ hasn’t reached the same level of internet service of other countries (free wifi is non-existent – nearly every hotel charged through the nose for an hour online) and I was hoarding my pennies for the more important things in life – aka shopping!!!

        Like

      2. Lol, it sounds like we know what our priorities are when we travel. 🙂 And besides the fact that we’re always working (a major side effect to working at home), when we take a break, we should be enjoying every minute of it. 🙂

        Like

  26. All the best to you too Debby! I certainly hope you enjoy your vaca to Florida. It sounds like after a rough 2016, you deserve lots of fun in the sun. Enjoy, and as one who has taken a hiatus – planned and unplanned – from blogging, my angels took good care of “my business” while I took care of Ann.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Oh thank you so much Ann. Your comment is comforting to know. It’s lovely to see you back here and I’m glad you took what you needed from time to rejuvenate. I’m just trying to sew up my January tasks in order to start soon getting ready to get out of these minus 20 temps! I will treasure it, Four more weeks till lift off! 🙂

      Like

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

Gravatar
WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Twitter picture

You are commenting using your Twitter account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Cancel

Connecting to %s