I spent New Year’s Eve dancing on a white sand beach in Mexico with my family. The air was warm, the music was lively, and for a moment, everything felt perfectly aligned. The next morning, I woke up early and began my day with morning pages, staring out at the endless ocean. It was the first time I’d written anything during the entire vacation.

There was a time when not writing during vacations frustrated me. I would expect inspiration to strike, believing that the change of scenery would ignite my creativity. When it didn’t, I’d panic—wondering if my muse had deserted me. But what I’ve come to learn is that these moments of stillness are not void of creativity; they’re quietly nourishing it. Vacations are for soaking in inspiration, infusing my soul and subconscious with images, sounds, and experiences that will emerge later when the time is right. Now, I trust the process. I don’t panic.

As I sat there writing, I reflected on how far I’ve come. I used to wear my chaos like a badge of honour, proudly telling people what a “hot mess” I was. And I wasn’t exaggerating; I truly was a hot mess. Life felt like an endless tangle of to-dos, unmet expectations, and misplaced priorities.

But now, at 48, I’ve shed that identity. My life is still messy at times—because life is messy—but I’ve found clarity amidst it. I trust myself completely. I know how to prioritize what I need: rest, solitude, play. It’s not about having it all figured out; it’s about knowing that I can navigate whatever comes my way.

My journey has been anything but linear. It’s been a fascinating, tumultuous ride filled with lessons—many of which I’ve had to learn repeatedly. I’ve made mistakes and fixed them on my own. I’ve apologized, lost a lot, and lived through periods of darkness.

Through it all, I’ve come to know what’s truly important. Writing has been my anchor. Without the act of putting words to paper, I don’t think I could have untangled the chaos in my mind.

Writing has transformed me. By putting my feelings on paper, I began to believe in them. By recording my experiences, I truly felt them. By capturing my thoughts, I made connections that otherwise would have eluded me.

Joan Didion once wrote,

“I don’t know how I feel until I write it down.”

That’s been my truth, too. Writing isn’t just a creative act; it’s a way of understanding myself and the world around me.

January 1st marked the fifth anniversary of Open Sky Stories, the business I created before I could even fully articulate what it was. Over the years, it has evolved, but its core mission remains the same: “Inspiring connection. One word at a time.” Connection with others. Connection with ourselves.

As we step into 2025, I invite you to begin your own journey of connection and creativity. Access my free guide, “Write Your Stories: A Creative Writing Guide for 2025,” and start your year by exploring the power of your words. Sign up for my newsletter to get your copy.

This year, I want to focus on dancing through the messiness—not with perfection, but with presence and grace. The steps may not always look right, but they’ll be mine, and that’s what counts.

What about you? What are your writing goals for this year? Or how has writing helped you in your life? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments.

Here’s to a year of writing, reflection, and trust in the process. May your stories bring you closer to yourself and to those around you.

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 Erica Richmond, the founder of Open Sky Stories believes that words have the power to provide connection & healing. She offers a variety of writing workshops and 1:1 mentoring. Erica has published three books: Pixie and the Fox, Pixie and the Bees and The Mail Art Stories Project: Mail Art in the Time of Covid-19.

She lives in Peterborough, Canada finding adventures in everyday life.

Follow Erica on Instagram for daily writing inspiration and real-life stories.