on a feelings roller coaster

Last I checked in, I was deciding whether to submit Sisters During Rocky Times to a literary agent or self-publish. Did I actually write about this discernment or just think I did? No clue. So much has happened with my book lately that I can't keep up.

Drum roll, please. I chose self-publishing—and immediately felt overwhelmed. There's so much to learn! Around Halloween, I last wrote about the process and noted that I was terrified.By late 2024, I realized fear was normal. I was doing something new. But I also knew I needed a better way to frame my emotions. I needed to be more positive.

On the Feelings Wheel, "fearful" breaks down into scared, anxious, insecure, overwhelmed and nervous. But the list goes on, and I was all the feelings—plus some!

Fearful energy is negative energy. And negative energy begets bad outcomes. So, in classic cognitive behavioral therapy, I flipped the script. Anytime you learn something new solo, it takes longer than expected. So this isn't just a process—it's an adventure. I decided to embrace the ride, bumps included, and trust the process. Peaceful and Trusting fall under "Happy" on the Feelings Wheel. So, I am on an exciting adventure filled with discovery.

I've ordered prototype books from three printers and must now pick one based on quality. The front cover still needs fine-tuning, but it’s almost complete.

Look at me! Since October 2024, I've gone from This book is a monster to This is a process to This endeavor is an adventure!