This past week, I managed to draft a new short story called Witch & Were, which I originally intended to release in Wicked Whispers. Unfortunately, work demanded more of my time than expected, and by the time I had the opportunity to sit down with it again, I was too exhausted to dive into edits. The good news? The story is drafted, and my goal is to have it out this week.
Writing is a journey that often takes unexpected turns, and while I wish I could have gotten it out as planned, I’m also reminding myself that progress is still progress. Drafting is one of the hardest parts of the process, and now that the words are on the page, editing will be much more manageable. It’s important to acknowledge these moments rather than dwell on what didn’t get done. One of the things I’ve learned over time is that creative burnout happens more easily when I focus too much on what I didn’t accomplish rather than celebrating the work I did complete.
Beyond that, I have a secret project I’m working on, and I couldn’t be more excited! I’m deeply honored to be part of this, and while I can’t share details just yet, know that it’s something I’ve really wanted to do. This week, I’ll be wrapping it up and submitting it for approval—fingers crossed! I wish I could share more, but for now, all I can say is that it aligns perfectly with my passions, and I feel like this is a dream opportunity that came at the perfect time. Opportunities like this are rare, and I want to make sure I give it my all.
For those of you who haven’t yet checked out the Dirty Deeds trailer or campaign, time is running out! There are only a few more weeks left before it ends. It would mean so much if you took a look and shared your thoughts. I’m both nervous and excited for readers to experience this story. Launching a project like this comes with a mix of emotions—there’s excitement, anxiety, anticipation, and, of course, the ever-present fear of whether people will enjoy it. But I’m grateful for everyone who has supported Dirty Deeds so far, whether through purchasing a copy, sharing the campaign, or simply sending me words of encouragement. If you’re on the fence about checking it out, I’d love for you to take a moment to see what Dirty Deeds is all about. And for those who have already supported the project—you are the best!
Personal Productivity
I think I’ve finally settled into a system that works for me, and for the first time in a while, I feel on top of things. It’s still a bit of work, but any progress is better than slipping back into the overwhelm I felt in late January and early February.
Looking back, I think a big part of my struggle was feeling overloaded with too many moving parts. That feeling led to avoidant behavior, which in turn made me abandon the original method that had been working for me. I’ve recently been exploring the concept of ‘Monk Mode’—essentially, a hyper-focused period of self-improvement and goal achievement. While it has mixed opinions surrounding it, I’m willing to give it a shot if it helps me stay on track.
One of the key takeaways I’ve had from this process is that systems need to be adaptable. What worked for me a few months ago might not be what works for me now, and that’s okay. It’s about refining and adjusting until I find what helps me function at my best. One of the things I’ve incorporated into my routine is setting clearer boundaries between work, creative time, and rest. It sounds simple, but it makes a huge difference in how productive I feel.
A major part of my productivity reset has been focusing on intentional habits. Instead of trying to overhaul my entire workflow overnight, I’ve been working on making small, meaningful changes that add up over time. Things like prioritizing my most important tasks earlier in the day, tracking my progress in a way that feels rewarding, and setting designated focus blocks for deep work have all contributed to me feeling like I’m regaining control of my time.
Fitness Accountability
I’m finally back on track with my workouts and have even been posting my progress online for added accountability. Some days are tougher than others, but I can feel and see the progress, which is incredibly motivating. One major change I implemented was adding 30 assisted pull-ups to my daily routine. Let me tell you, I’m already noticing a difference in my arms. The guns are officially under construction!
One thing I’ve learned is that consistency beats intensity. I used to think I needed to push myself to the limit every single day, but that mindset only led to burnout. Now, I’m focused on sustainable progress—making sure that I show up for my workouts even when I don’t feel like it, rather than going all-in for a week and then crashing.
Fitness is as much about mindset as it is about physical progress. There have been days when I didn’t feel like working out, but I reminded myself that discipline is what will get me where I want to be. Every workout, no matter how small, is a step forward. Even on days when I don’t feel my best, I make it a point to do something active, even if it’s just stretching or going for a walk.
Other Updates
Website issues. Ugh. I noticed that all my scheduled posts haven’t been going up as planned, which means I now have to go in and manually publish everything. It’s frustrating and time-consuming, but I’ll get it figured out. If you were waiting for a story post and didn’t receive it, I sincerely apologize! I’m working on getting everything back on track.
This has made me reconsider how I handle my online content. I love having a structured schedule for posting, but when technology fails, it throws everything off. One of the things I’ll be doing moving forward is having a backup system in place—checking scheduled posts more frequently and keeping a manual posting log so that I can ensure everything is going up as expected.
If you’ve ever dealt with website glitches, you know how frustrating they can be. It’s a reminder that no matter how well we plan, sometimes things are out of our control. What matters is how we adapt to those challenges. In the meantime, I appreciate everyone’s patience as I work through this!
That’s it for this week’s update! If you’re on a similar journey—whether it’s writing, productivity, or fitness—let me know how it’s going for you. We’re all in this together!
Reflecting on the week, I realize how important it is to celebrate small wins. Whether it’s making progress on a writing project, sticking to a productivity system, or showing up for workouts, every step forward counts. Here’s to another week of progress, learning, and growth!
