Reflection on the past year and planning for the year ahead are my favorite things to do this time of year. I decided to aid the process this year by answering a set of reflection questions (similar to when I wrote my creative autobiography, based on Twyla Tharp’s 33 questions). There are several of these question sets available online, and I’m going to mix a few of them. Over the next few days, I’ll post 50-ish questions and answers designed to help me reflect, re-set, and re-direct. If you’d like to join me, pick up your journal or cross-post on your blog– I think it’s going to be a fun and productive activity.

Let’s get to it with reflection questions 1-10.

If you had to describe your 2019 in three words, what would they be?

Emerging, stressful, creative.

What, or who, are you most thankful for?

My family is a given; I have a wonderful, loving, supportive family. Outside of my family, I’m thankful for the editor I worked with over the summer who pushed my creative nonfiction to the next level, and the writers/podcasters who influenced me.

What new things did you discover about yourself?

I discovered that I need high-intensity cardio on a near-daily basis to physically release my stress, and I function best when I enforce myself eating at least one vegetable and a lean protein at every meal.

What single achievement are you most proud of?

I’d like to answer this in all three arenas of my work. As a writer, I’m proudest of writing ‘The Band Room” and getting it accepted for the live read at Lincoln Center. (I still get a chill up my spine when I say those two words.) As a teacher, I’m proudest of the spring concerts I did with my fifth grade groups last May, especially of my Beekman band playing “Havana” from memory, standing and facing the audience, marching-band-standstill-style. As a parent, I’m proudest of challenging and encouraging my children to try new activities, such as dance and science camps. They have both grown in confidence and skill.

What was the best news you received?

That my daughter’s six-hour surgery in February was successful.

What was your favorite place that you visited in 2019?

My husband and I went on a 10-year anniversary trip to Jamaica. We were only there for three days, but it felt like time stopped. The views were so beautiful, and the atmosphere so relaxed, and it was just what we needed. We also returned to one of our favorite towns in the fall– Woodstock, VT–and ate at some amazing restaurants. I can’t wait to go back.

Which of your personal qualities turned out to be the most helpful this year?

My determination to find solutions that rely on my own resilience and ingenuity. I don’t react well to a new stressor in the short term, but over time I’m good at adapting and making new situations work for me.

Who was your number-one go-to person who you could always rely on?

In my family, my dad and my mother-in-law. At school, my colleague and friend Renee. For personal stuff, my best friend Laura.

Which new skills did you learn?

I learned how to write a tightly-structured personal essay. I co-led a 2.5 hour professional development for the first time. I got better at asking for help at work and at home.

If someone wrote a book about your year, what genre would it be?

It feels like cheating to say that it would be a memoir, because I’d be the one writing it. If someone else interpreted my life, it would be one of those harried-working-parent books in the women’s fiction section, because that’s probably what my life looks like from the outside. From the inside, it’s a lot slower, filled with gratitude and connection to creative energy.

This feels like a good stopping point for today. Tomorrow, I’ll post a quick update on my winter break manifesto, and then I’ll start working on the next batch of reflection questions.