What I learned this Year

A year-end reflection on stories, calling, and the courage to keep going

Every December, I like to look back, not just at what I wrote or accomplished, but at what I learned. This year surprised me. It stretched me. It invited me into deeper clarity about my calling and the kind of work I want to do in the world. And as I reflect, I can see a few lessons rising to the surface again and again, lessons that shaped my writing, my business, and my faith.

Here are the big ones.

1. Stories change everything, especially when we share them before we feel “ready.”

This year, I watched over and over as someone’s story unlocked courage in someone else. A coaching call with someone ready to give up who persevered and hit #1 in three Amazon categories. A lesson shared in a Substack note that resonated with many readers and encouraged them to keep writing. My son-in-law, who shared with me that YouTube is his best resource for learning how to fix things, gave me the courage to learn how to maintain my home and put together a DIY garage package. (My daughter is the best assistant a person can ask for!)

I’ve learned that our stories don’t need to be polished to be powerful. They just need to be offered. And every time I shared, even tentatively, God used it.

If you’ve been holding your story close because it still feels messy, this is your reminder: sometimes the mess is the ministry.

2. Fear can disguise itself convincingly as wisdom.

Fear rarely shouts. It whispers.
It sounds responsible: Be careful… You should wait… Maybe later…
It mimics maturity: Are you sure? What if you get it wrong? What if no one reads it?
And if we’re not paying attention, fear can masquerade as prudence.

This year, I learned to listen more closely. To pause long enough to ask:
Is this hesitation wisdom—or is it fear protecting my comfort?

Most of the breakthroughs I had, professionally and spiritually, came from saying yes even when the “wise” thing would have been to stay quiet, cautious, or small.

3. Creativity grows when I stop editing my life in real time.

I’ve always known this as a writer, but this year it finally sank in on a heart level:
Editing too early suffocates creativity.

Whether I was working on my submission for The Rise of Her (coming out early in 2026), writing notes for this Substack, or helping clients with their books, the pattern was clear. When I tried to be perfect in the first pass, I stalled. When I allowed myself to write authentically and imperfectly, to explore, to let God speak, I created more and better work.

This year taught me to draft boldly and edit gently. The first draft is never meant to be tidy. It’s meant to be honest.

4. Helping others write their stories is part of my calling—not just my business.

I used to think I “just” ran an assisted self-publishing company. But something shifted this year.

As I worked alongside entrepreneurs, leaders, and everyday people with extraordinary stories, I realized:
I’m not simply helping them publish books.
I’m helping them step into their purpose.
I’m helping them move from overwhelm to clarity.
I’m helping them give language to the parts of their journey that shaped them.

It’s ministry disguised as editing.
Coaching disguised as formatting.
Encouragement disguised as strategy.

And I’m grateful for every person who trusted me with their story.

5. Consistency is an act of faith, not perfection.

I didn’t show up perfectly this year. But I showed up. And that taught me something beautiful:
Consistency isn’t about producing flawless work; it’s about returning, again and again, to the thing God asked you to do.

Every Substack post, every coaching session, every chapter-in-progress was a small “yes.” And those yeses added up.

I’ve learned that faithfulness looks a lot like taking the next step, even when we can’t see the whole path.

6. God’s redirections are often better than our original plans.

I thought I knew what this year would look like. I had my own outlines; straight, sensible, predictable. God had other ideas.

Several times, He closed a door I wanted open… only to gently lead me to a better one.
Several times, He gave me new assignments when I expected familiar ones.
Several times, He surprised me with opportunities I didn’t even know to ask for.

I’m ending this year with more trust, less urgency, and a deeper belief that God’s timing—and His path—is always purposeful.

Looking Ahead to Next Year

I don’t know everything the new year will hold, but I sense one thing strongly:

This next season will be about acceleration. Not frantic speed, but Spirit-led momentum.

More clarity.
More creativity.
More stories told.
More people encouraged.
More impact from simple steps of obedience.

And I hope you’ll walk with me in it.

Before You Go…

If this Substack has encouraged you this year, if the stories, reflections, and notes have nudged you toward writing your own story, consider becoming a paid subscriber.

My paid community offers:
✨ Accountability for your writing goals
✨ Behind-the-scenes guidance for sharing your story
✨ Practical encouragement to take action—not just dream about it
✨ A supportive place to grow as a Christian entrepreneur and storyteller

Your support helps me pour even more time, wisdom, and love into this space.
And I would be honoured to have you join me.

Here’s to a new year filled with courage, clarity, and stories worth telling.