Now that Bedtime Stories for the Living has been published, I find myself in a weird place. It’s what I imagine watching your youngest child reverse the U-Haul truck down the driveway feels like. I’m an empty-nester, of sorts.

I worked on that book for six years and, now that it’s complete, I feel a little lost. A little heartbroken. I’ve been putzing around the house with chin stubble and sporting my finest sweatpants wondering, “What do I do without you?”

The other day Haley asked if I had started my next book yet.

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because…(scratching my chin stubble)…because writing a book is really hard.”

“Oh. So what’s your next book going to be about?”

“I don’t know.”

“Are you going to shave?”

The truth is, now BSFL is complete I’m hesitant to begin again. It’s like what teachers feel on the first day of school or what I imagine runners must feel taking the first stride in marathon training. Fear, anxiety, and overwhelming self-doubt. To begin again is scary.

But like I wrote last week in Publication Day, when an outward journey ends, the only place to go is inward. So I’m going inward. Back to the blog. Terrified and excited to brainstorm a new adventure with you.

I’ve been listening to Austin Kleon’s book, Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad, and he suggests that when you’re not sure what to create next, make a list. Kleon believes that lists are fundamental exercise for finding creative direction.

This week I made a list of 52 decisions (one for each week of 2022) that can help us discover our direction and the courage to replace sweatpants with jeans in 2022.

I believe you and I have the potential–to not only improve ourselves–but in small, profound ways improve the world.

But sadly, potential is not enough. We must decide. We must act. And the New Year is a fine time to make a decision and vow to take action.

1. Decide to begin a new journey.

2. Decide to be happier.

3. Decide to be more polite.

4. Decide to be more patient.

5. Decide to call an old friend.

6. Decide to leave your comfort zone.

7. Decide to forgive others.

8. Decide to forgive yourself.

9. Decide to be more creative.

10. Decide to be more positive.

11. Decide to find beauty in uncommon places.

12. Decide to be more kind.

13. Decide to listen more.

14. Decide to put your phone away.

15. Decide to eat healthier.

16. Decide to be happy for others.

17. Decide to complain less.

18. Decide to be more optimistic.

19. Decide to let it go.

20. Decide to be enthusiastic.

21. Decide to pay it forward.

22. Decide to take more deep breaths.

23. Decide to slow down.

24. Decide to face your fears.

25. Decide not to let social media measure self-worth.

26. Decide to learn something new.

27. Decide to work on your dreams.

28. Decide to walk outside every day.

29. Decide to ignore negativity.

30. Decide to read more books.

31. Decide to write letters to people you love.

32. Decide to not give up.

33. Decide to express your feelings.

34. Decide to laugh more.

35. Decide to take interest in someone else’s interests.

36. Decide to embrace change.

37. Decide to be vulnerable.

38. Decide to appreciate nature.

39. Decide to apologize.

40. Decide to be more grateful.

41. Decide to drink more water.

42. Decide to value your skills.

43. Decide to be honest.

44. Decide to pursue a passion.

45. Decide to laugh it off.

46. Decide to set a goal.

47. Decide to work towards that goal.

48. Decide to declutter.

49. Decide to worry less.

50. Decide to not focus on your weaknesses.

51. Decide to believe in yourself.

52. Decide to get some sleep.

Be well,

Jay

Need a 5-star holiday gift? Bedtime Stories for the Living makes a great gift for all the dreamers on your list!!!

If you read BSFL I would love an Amazon review! Due to some Jeff Bezos concocted algorithm, more book reviews lead to greater exposure. And greater exposure equates to higher book sales and as I wrote in BSFL, “college for three ain’t free.”

Are you a reader? Looking for your next good book to read or listen to? Check out my new page “Jay’s Book Shelf” for some book recommendations.

If you like this post, you may also like:

I Believe

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Look at what came in the mail

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Facing Fear: My First Vlog

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Jay Armstrong is a writer, speaker, and a former award-winning high school English teacher. Despite being diagnosed with a rare neurological disease, that impairs his movement, balance, eyesight, and speech–Jay presses on. He hopes to help you find joy, peace, and meaning in life. For Jay, a good day consists of 5 things:

1. Reading
2. Writing 
3. Exercising
4. Hearing his three children laugh
5. Hugging his wife
(Bonus points for a dinner with his parents and a beer with his friends)

Jay hasn’t had a bad day in quite a long time. 

You can also visit Jay at jayarmstrongwrites.com