My Word of the Year for 2019, Podcast #89

It’s a new year which means it’s time to pick a new word to be my guide through the year ahead. In this podcast, I reflect on the past year and reflect on how the word Challenge has made a very big difference in my life. Then I share some exciting news and my new word for 2019!

Listen to the podcast or download it to your computer using this player

Friendship sampler quilt king size

Friendship sampler quilt king size

Kicking off the Friendship Quilt Along

I’m super excited about many things that are happening this year, but one of the biggest ones is knowing by this time next year I will have a beautiful king-size quilt to enjoy on my bed.

I designed the Friendship Sampler Quilt this summer and I love this collection of super scrappy quilt blocks. It’s been so nice to completely wipe out my stash of fabric scraps. I love the idea of being able to start over completely from scratch!

There is plenty of time to catch up and make two blocks with me this month! Click Here to find the patterns and all of the tutorials shared so far.

Reflecting on Challenge and 2018

My word for the year in 2018 was Challenge. I remember being a bit worried about taking that on. I was honestly scared I was inviting challenge into my life. But after a year of this word bouncing around in my heart, I don’t regret a single thing.

In fact, I know Challenge was absolutely the best choice and helped me to be my best self in 2018.

I had so many stories and lessons from the year that I’ve started writing them down in a book, tentatively titled Rise to the Challenge of Your Life. From Christmas eve to New Year’s Day I’ve been writing stories about challenge.

Many of the stories come from this past year, but many come from my past as well. Through writing this book, nearly 30,000 words at this point, I’ve gained a greater perspective and feel like I’ve really LEARNED these lessons this time.

This book is very personal and I’m just allowing those stories to flow. I admit, I’m rather shocked at what’s coming out, but I’m giving myself permission to continue and not worry about editing until I get to the end.

Accepting the Challenge of a New Passion

Writing is my new passion. This past year I wrote Mally the Maker and the Queen in the Quilt, a fiction novel. I edited it myself, designed the cover art and illustrations, and published it in the fall. I’m so pleased and proud of this book and I can’t wait to continue the series!

But writing and publishing something total new that I’m not known for has been challenging. This book honestly didn’t sell as well as my nonfiction how to quilt book Explore Walking Foot Quilting with Leah Day that I released last year.

I’ve had to work on my tendency to compare and pit the things I make against one another this way. While Mally might not have been as monetarily successful, it absolutely fulfilled a need I had to write and a challenge I’d been seeking for years.

I’ve been wanting to write Mally the Maker since James was in kindergarten and I’m so happy that I took the time to make this a reality. I have been writing the second book in the series, but I’ve decided to set this aside for the next few months.

Writing the challenge book this past week has made it very clear to me that the next most important book I must create.

Committing to My Highest Priority

For years I have written basically the same journal entry over and over. It goes something like this:

I want to focus more on my goddesses. I want to share these stories and be more open to my creativity and help quilters learn how to make quilts like this. I want to help people change their lives. I want to change my life by sharing this.

I’ve written basically the same thing for the last five or six years! I keep living year after year in regret that I’m not getting this done. I’m not even taking steps to making it happen because there’s always an excuse: another important project, another quilt, another thing that might sell better.

I’ve finally seen that if I don’t take the time and start, this book in my heart will never exist. And I will continue to live in regret.

I don’t want to do that anymore. I’m rising to the challenge of writing a book that will be difficult. I don’t know how well it will sell. It will be another weird thing I make out of left field. People may look at this with one eyebrow raised, as many have with Mally the Maker.

I must rise to this challenge and cross my fingers and do the work anyway. I have to trust the universe will support me.

I’m going to Fail and I’m going to Die

LOL! That sounds a bit fatalistic, but it’s true. I realized two things this year: life is very short, and we don’t know how much time we have. Also, I got a front row seat to failure this year.

Several projects I shared didn’t do as well as I wanted them to. Getting comfortable with that and realizing I survived that failure means I can deal with just about anything. I think Challenge has been teaching me that most things I’m afraid of are not actually so scary.

Then there are the things that are real and terrifying.

Two very important people in my life got cancer this year. Seeing the fear and the total shift in life perspective for both women was radical.

I couldn’t help but see the cautionary tale in continuing to wait on something I’ve been wanting to create. I don’t know how much time going to have. I could live to be older than my grandma who died at 88. I could have two years. There are no guarantees.

I can spend the rest of my life wanting and wishing. Or I can pull on my big girl panties and get this work done.

How Many Priorities Do You Have?

Priority is singular. There should only ever be one!

This year I began saying no to things I enjoy and like to do. I had to look at projects differently. Will this bring me closer to the goals in my heart? No? Then I shouldn’t take that on.

This is why I stopped making free patterns for every Quilty Box. I love getting a box of fabric and gear and I loved the challenge of designing fast and forcing myself to not get hung up on the minutia of pattern writing.

But this was eating up nearly two weeks of time, every single month. This was an enormous amount of work to do and it was keeping me so busy, I didn’t have time for anything else.

The hardest part of deciding to stop making these tutorials is they were successful. They’re some of my best videos!

But this is not a reflection of my highest priority. This is making quilts that anyone can make with common shapes everyone use. How valuable is this work?

I have a choice: I can continue doing what everyone can do and be part of the crowd. Or I can step out and do my own thing.

Change is Scary

The Internet is changing and quite rapidly. I’ve seen a lot of things shifting with how we get traffic on our websites and how people are consuming content.

Many things are becoming Paid to Play, which means you’ll only find my tutorial if I pay for it to show up on top. Many topics are so saturated that you have not one, but dozens of choices from who to learn a super niche topic.

Also the perceived value of tutorials and information is changing. This year I noticed my behavior and how I go to a website and get the information I need and then leave. I’m not being critical of this behavior.

I’m seeking to understand it and understand what that means for me as a content creator and the value of what I’m doing. I’m being very still and spending a lot of time thinking and trying to decide on the right path forward.

Josh and I are researching a new platform. This will be a special quilting club for you to share pictures and make friends online. It will be completely off Facebook and it will be a paid subscription around $2-3 per month.

Yes, I know there are a lot of free groups online, but those come with spam and advertisements and a whole lot of stuff you might not want to see. In creating this group and charging for it, I’m hoping to create a way we can support ourselves and continue sharing new videos and quilting tutorials.

No, this will not mean I stop sharing free tutorials. Those will continue as I’ve shared for years. This membership club will simply be a way for you to help support us so those tutorials continue. It will also give you a place to share photos, interact, and make friends, which I know many quilters have missed since I shut down our Facebook Groups.

This is very early days on this idea, so I don’t have anything to show you right this second. Just know we’re thinking about this and considering it from all angles.

A Year on a Diet

I don’t think it’s a bad thing to say I lived 2018 on a diet!

I went on Whole 30 through February and lost around 12 pounds, then switched over to the ketogenic diet and maintain my weight all year easily. I still like sugary treats, but now I’m using Swerve instead of regular sugar.

But most importantly, I’m no longer looking for food to comfort me.

When I feel stressed and anxious, I take steps to deal with those emotions myself. I relax on the couch with a hot wet washcloth over my face, I do a seven minute exercise, or walk my treadmill, or go on a bike great. Being physical helps more than anything else.

Eating a cookie or muffin when I was stressed was a really bad habit. I had to learn how to comfort myself and just use food to feed my hunger.

But after a year on a diet, I’ve realized I will never have a washboard stomach and less I want to do some serious work. I’ll need to spend an hour at the gym or do a thousand crunches a day because if I have even two extra pounds on my body, it’s going to be on my belly.

This only bugged me because of comments on YouTube. No, it is not polite to congratulate a woman on her pregnancy if she is not pregnant! That’s like poking someone in the stomach and saying – Are you knocked up or just fat?

I’ve had to accept that this is my body type and I can lose weight off my wrists and my hips and my shoulders, but not my belly. Instead of obsessing about how I stand in videos or what people say in comments, I should instead just make a new batch of shirts that hide this area instead of accent it.

Opening a Massive Door in 2019

Leah and Josh DayI’m also not worrying about having a perfectly flat belly because Josh and I are trying to have another baby.

Yep you read that right! After 12 years, we realized having a bigger family is something we both wanted. No, I’m not pregnant yet (don’t go looking at my belly!) LOL!

For years this was a firmly shut door. I loved having an only child and just focusing on James. I didn’t think I could afford more children or want hassles that come along with multiple kids.

But then my sister had a baby two years ago. My nephew is now a toddler and has brought so much sweet love and joy to the family. I can’t deny this is something I want very much.

Then the fears set in. I don’t know if we can afford this. I don’t know if I have time for this! Especially with the changing Internet and value of content online, this might be a really bonehead move to make.

But I found a lot of peace in my desire on that day I hand quilted at Hart Square. I sat in an 19th-century log cabin with no running water, electricity, central heat, or good lighting. It made me appreciate just how much we have.

If ten kids could be raised in a one room log cabin with none of the conveniences of modern life, I can do this! What do we really need in the end – more toys and stuff, or just each other?

Being Open to Inspiration

I know I was blocking something important because I haven’t been able to easily design a new goddess quilt in years. I didn’t want to commit to writing the goddess book because I feared this inspiration had left me.

No, it wasn’t gone. It was just being smothered out!

When I finally opened my heart to this possibility, I sketched a new pregnant goddess design in five minutes. I’ve tentatively named this Eye of Calm. This goddess quilt flowed onto the paper so naturally and easily. I haven’t had a design work that easily in years.

Pregnant Goddess Quilt Design

My latest goddess quilt sketch!

I’m really excited and hopeful. No, I’m not pregnant yet, but were trying. I am 35 years old, so I don’t know if this will happen or not. I’m happy with the life I have, but I’d love to have more children to share it with now too.

My Word of the Year for 2019

Knowing that we could have a new baby this year is giving me a lot to think about. It’s going to change so much about our lives, our house, how I work, and how much time I have to work.

I’m going to embrace all of it and I want to embrace it with an open heart.

So that’s my word of the year Embrace Change.

Taken separately – Embrace – I want more hugs! I want more embraces and more closeness and were snuggled on the couch. James has reached an age where he’s not into hugs anymore and it breaks my heart.

As for Change I’m looking at many ways of supporting my family this year including a possible membership site that will not be expensive. Just a little change that will help me continue to support my family and teach online.

Taken together – Embrace Change – this is exactly what I want to do. I want to crack my heart open wide and be ready for this change in my life.

Many times I have resisted change and it has ended up hurting more for my resistance. Embracing change means welcoming the discomfort. This could hurt, but it could also just get really interesting.

But What About Your Goals?

Coming full circle – how does my desire to have a new baby work with my equally passionate desire to finally write my goddess quilt book?

I want both. I don’t want to live another year writing the same journal entries.

So I have a deadline. I have a single focus priority. I just need to do the work. I’m going to make this happen because I refuse to live another year in regret. I don’t think having more kids means I have to give up all my other goals.

Will it be difficult? Yes! That’s why I’m not letting the word Challenge out of my heart. I’m going to keep that as my forever word.

I know this will be hard. I’m not asking for it to be easy anymore. I’ll take the good, the bad, the ugly, and the difficult because this is my life!

While writing the Challenge book this past week I stumbled across a goal that has been in my heart, pumping through my blood since I was twenty years old:

I want to wake up in the morning and work next to Josh and live life on my own terms.

I don’t know if I’m going to publish this challenge book I’ve been writing. I’m so thankful I did the work and learn the lessons and put those words on paper.

I hope that you have an amazing year. I hope you’ll also consider cracking your chest open wide and find the space to embrace change.

Because whether you want it or not change is coming. It’s always here. Things are always shifting. It is a powerful choice to accept it rather than fight it. Let’s welcome in the change with open arms.

So what is your word for the year in 2019 what do you hope to accomplish?

Have you been living your life in regret? Have you written the same journal entry over and over for years? Are you going to live another year writing the same thing or are you going to do something about it?

This year different because I’m embracing the change in my life. Things are about to get really interesting!

Let’s go quilt,

Leah Day

LeahDay

Leah Day has been teaching online since 2009. She's the creator of the Free Motion Quilting Project, a blog filled with thousands of quilting tutorial videos. Leah has written several books including 365 Free Motion Quilting Designs, Explore Walking Foot Quilting with Leah Day, and Mally the Maker and the Queen in the Quilt.

36 Responses

  1. Cheryl Strong says:

    Thank you for sharing all of this. You are very brave to put yourself out there cuz I think the internet is not so kind sometimes. People need to remember that there are real people on the other end of comments ! My word for the year is also change and you have inspired me to go and start writing in the journal again. I can’t wait to see what you make this year!

    • LeahDay says:

      Thank you Cheryl! Change is an awesome word of the year. That’s great about journaling. It’s such a powerful way to keep track of your inner thoughts and goals.

  2. Samira Cabral Furtado says:

    Hello! I wish you continue to be very successful in your projects. I have great pleasure in telling everyone that it was you who learned Quilt. I started with a Domestic Singer Machine, then I used a Janome Electronic Machine and now I have a Jake Electronic Machine, specially modified for Quilt. I have tremendous admiration for you and your works. May you and your family have a wonderful year, with much love, health and peace! A big hug and a kiss on the heart

  3. Leah

    Thank you for this podcast! For such a young women, you really are so wise. I’ve watched your videos since the beginning and it is so wonderful to see how you have grown and matured. I am always amazed at the things you come up with.

    I work full time at a bank, run a machine quilting business and online store. I teach
    quilting classes, volunteer at my church, try to be there for my grown children and grandson,and spent time with my husband. Needless to say, I need to take some of your advise. Spent more time on what matters most
    to me. I’d love to quit my full time job but a this time it just isn’t possible. However, I can
    create more balance. I think”balance” will be my word for the year.

    Just before Christmas, I felt like my life was out of control. I was being pulled in too many directions and was exasted. Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve allowed myself time to rejuvenate and evaluate and your podcast was so fitting.

    Good luck in 2019! I hope you get your wish for a baby.

    • LeahDay says:

      Thank you so much Juananne! Balance is a wonderful word of the year. Try to take time out every single day to pull back into yourself. Plant both your feet flat on the floor – I know that sounds weird, but it can really help. I’m so happy that you enjoyed this podcast and I wish you a wonderful year of balance and joy!

  4. Marj Roberts says:

    Thanks for sharing your heart with us. I remember when my third son was around 12 and wouldn’t let me touch him. Frustrating!! But at 20, he saw me in a store, shouted out “mommy!” And gave me a big hug in front of a bunch of strangers. Now he’s given me two beautiful grandchildren. I’m excited for 2019. I wIll be following you and hope to order from your store soon.

    • LeahDay says:

      Thank you so much for sharing this Marj! AW! I’ve heard lots of stories like this and it’s really giving me hope James will become loving again one day. For now I will get lots of extra hugs from Josh!

  5. shoshana says:

    Hi Leah,
    i bought my copy of Mally right in the beginning, and had it sent to a freind of mine in the usa to save on shipping charges. shes coming tovisit my tomorrow and i just can’t wait to finish reading,[ i heard your first two chapters on you blog!]. i have to tell you that i’m “proud” even “very proud” of you, even though you don’t know me. youhave the courage to listen to that inside Leah, and try and do what you can, with whatever medium speaks to you at the moment. Please don’t let the “public” response to Mally, or to anything else for that matter, stop you, let your life, you years, months, days, entierty, stay as rich and wonderful as you can. thanks for being such a shinning example,
    shoshana

    • LeahDay says:

      Thank you so much Shoshana! Yes, you’re completely right. It’s easy to pull inward and put on a “show” face. I think my greatest challenge ahead is to stop comparing things. Some things I’ve done have been super successful. Some things have not. That doesn’t make the unsuccessful thing bad, especially if it was something I needed to create. I hope you love the story in Mally the Maker!

  6. Liz Horgan says:

    Leah,
    Thanks for sharing so much with us! You have a wonderful plan ahead of you and I look forward to following along!
    Liz

  7. Emily says:

    Hi Leah,

    My mom Debbie is one of the women you quilted with at Hart Square and I’ve been following you since then! I am a lifelong artist but have struggled to return to my previous medium (wheelthrown porcelain pottery) since the birth of my kids in 2014 and 2016. I took up quilting this past year and am so gratified at an art form I can do a little at a time (or a lot when I get the chance!) and I am sure you’ll find a way to create space for all the art and the new person you desire to create! It’s hard but you’ll find your way. I wept at your goddess sketch. And you and I could have a lot of belly conversations. You’re perfect like you are. Can’t wait to see what unfolds for you. I’ll post on IG and tag you when I figure out my word for 2019!

    • LeahDay says:

      Thank you so much Emily! I’m so happy to meet you here and your mom this fall. Honestly when I look back on 2018, I know that single day at Hart Square changed my life, and just sitting and chatting with Debbie and the other ladies was a huge part of that. I’m so happy you’re quilting now! Will you be joining us at Hart Square this fall? I sure hope so and I can’t wait to hear your word of the year as well!

  8. Kerry says:

    Hi Leah,
    You have inspired me! I have been reading your blogs for a while and this year I have decided to be a bit selfish and do the things that make me happy. I love sewing and quilting, and have decided that I will not watch this year I will participate! I have chosen your Friendship Sampler Quilt as my start! So even though I will be starting a bit behind I am looking forward to having a king sized quilt on my bed at the end of the year. I like the idea of having a word to guide you for the year. I hope you don’t mind, but I am going to adopt ‘Challenge’ as my word for this year. It’s going to be an interesting year ahead as I look after me first for a change.
    I wish you happiness & success for 2019! And will definitely join your group when you get it up and running, I love the idea!
    Cheers, Kerry.

    • LeahDay says:

      This is wonderful Kerry! Please, by all means take Challenge as your word. It’s a rock star! Honestly, it was the best word of the year I’ve ever had and is continuing to shape my life. Thank you so much for your support and kindness! Yes, we’re working on the group right now in fact!

  9. shoshana says:

    p.s., Leah, you have answered each one of us, does that mean you really relate to all as individuals?!!!!!!wonderful!!!!!!!

    • LeahDay says:

      Of course Shoshana! Especially if you comment regularly, I get to know you as a person and do remember names. And of course I recognize your name my quilting friend!

  10. Pippa says:

    Wow what a year, and what fabulous expectations for the coming year (s). As in previous comments boys do come back to hugging Mum but be prepared to have your ribs crushed. Thank you for all your inspiration in the past and looking forward to you inspiring me in the future.
    Take care of yourself and may all your wishes come true. Pippa Xx

  11. Sherri says:

    Mally the maker is a great book! I loved it! My mom who reads every day borrowed my copy to read and said you are a very good writer.

  12. Scherrie Bond says:

    I just got my copy of Mally the Maker! I ordered one and was charged for one,but I recieved two! I dont’ know what to do.

  13. LindaS says:

    Hi Leah, Your podcast is a real blessing and has touched me deeply today. I hope and pray that your family will have a new addition in 2019. Your openness about” Embrace Change” is full of wisdom and sincerity that I hopefully will apply in 2019. God does want us to have abundant life; overflowing, expanding into new territory {like Jabez’s prayer}. THANK You so much for sharing.

  14. Laurel says:

    Well said Leah. You do have quite a gift of knowing and expressing your mind and heart. Embracing change is perfect for my home as well. My hubby (of 27 years) and I often name our years. Our 20, and 23 year old recently told me that I need to learn to be selfish. So my hubby and I are calling this year the ‘year of us’. We both love to create and spend time together. I can’t wait to read your goddess book!

    • LeahDay says:

      That is wonderful! LOL! I was just waiting for you to say you’d picked “selfish” as a word of the year. That would be pretty interesting! I love ‘a year of us’ and I hope it is filled with joy and great times.

  15. Nancy McPherson says:

    I am so excited for you and Josh I hope you are successful in you endeavor to have another child. Do no be influenced by other peoples feelings about the difference in James and the new baby’s age, it makes no difference at all. There is 9 years between my husband and his sister. There is 2 years between my children and I can see the good and bad in both scenarios. Live your life the way you want to. Congratulations

    • LeahDay says:

      Thank you Nancy! I really appreciate your kindness and support. Let em’ think what they want to think! As far as I’m concerned that’s none of my business!

  16. Kathy Howard says:

    I sure get that life is short. We got word this morning that my husband’s cousin and wife were killed by a wrong way drunk driver yesterday.

  17. gloria matye says:

    Leah, Thank you for opening my eyes todifferent points of views. This year I want to sew more so there are going to be some changes.

    • LeahDay says:

      Thank you Gloria! Start today and see just how much time you can give yourself. The world will adjust as you give yourself space to do what you need to do.

  18. Marian Whelan says:

    Julie I have had your lessons from Anney for the last 1214 years and now I am trying to get myself organised I love to read your year of completing your goals and agree with you you one must be thankful for what one has I lost my husband after 59 years 12 months I am now trying to make myself do things my big 80th is this year so she is a little game against me but have a wonderful family and children and I’m trying to be positive and to move forward I wish you luck with your pregnancy if you don’t try too hard I know so many people that are blessed fingers crossed

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