For the past several years, I’ve been working towards one extraordinary deadline: January 7th, 2025. That date has been etched into my brain as the day my book would be published in the United States. Everything — every idea, every edit — was leading up to that one day. There was always something to do, something to prepare, something that was taking me closer to that date. 

 

And now, I’m on the other side of that deadline. It feels strange not to have a manuscript to polish or marketing ideas swirling around in my mind. And pretty incredible to be able to call myself a national bestselling author! ("Tidy Up Your Life" made the bestseller lists for both USA Today and Audible!) 

 

Once the book was published, I noticed the questions immediately began: “So, what’s next?” Several readers have even sent me suggestions for a sequel (thank you for the enthusiasm!). But what I truly need to rediscover right now is rest. 

 

As an Enneagram 7, rest doesn’t come naturally to me. If you’re unfamiliar with the Enneagram, it is a personality framework with nine types, each representing a core motivation, fear, and path to growth. My wife, Emily, has been part of a book club diving deep into the Enneagram, and it's fascinating. 

 

Here’s a snapshot of Enneagram 7: “The Enthusiast” is energetic, optimistic, and adventurous, driven by a desire to experience joy while avoiding pain or boredom. They need spontaneity and flexibility within any routine or structure.

 

That definition fits me. I thrive on optimism, love adventure, and admittedly struggle with tasks that lack an immediate sense of excitement (which is one of the many reasons I love cleaning, you instantly see a difference!). Sure, I can see a project through (hello, book!), but I’m usually itching to figure out what’s next?

 

This weekend, though, I gave myself permission to pause. Our family retreated to our cottage in Pennsylvania and embraced the simplicity of ordinary life.

 

We built puzzles.

 

 

I baked a breakfast casserole for the family. (Layer cubes of canned biscuit dough, cheese, browned sausage, and eight eggs plus ¼ cup of milk, whisked together, in a prepared 9x13 baking dish. Bake on 375 for 30 minutes.)

 

 

I swam laps (until the girls insisted, “That’s enough —come play with us!”). 

 

 

We ice skated on the frozen lake in our neighborhood. We sled down the hill!

 

 

I also fell asleep during every single movie that we watched. 

 

It hit me: the next great adventure isn’t always about chasing something new. It’s also living in this moment — sharing the book’s message, hearing how it resonates with readers, and applying its tips and strategies in my own life.

 

It’s easy to get caught up in “What’s next?” But sometimes the answer lies in embracing where you already are. In Ina Garten’s memoir, Be Ready When the Luck Happens, what resonated most with me wasn’t her success stories but her intuition for knowing when to rest — proof that rest doesn’t have to mean a lack of ideas or motivation. It’s a vital part of the journey.

 

After years of focusing on achieving a goal, it’s tempting to fill the space with another project or adventure. But what if the answer isn’t about doing more? 

 

What if it’s about being — resting in the accomplishment, savoring the moment, and giving yourself permission to pause? It’s a mindset shift that’s both challenging and freeing, and one I’m intentionally choosing to try to embrace.

 

Adventure is wonderful, but sometimes the real magic lies in embracing the beauty of the everyday — finding joy in time, health, and a job well done.

 

There’s always more to do, and dream about, but for now, I’m choosing to rest.

 

 

"What’s Next?": Write about a time when you felt pressured to immediately move on to the next goal or task. How did you handle it? Looking back, would you have done anything differently?

 

"The Art of Rest": Reflect on a moment when you allowed yourself to pause and rest, even when it felt counterintuitive. What did you learn about yourself or your priorities during that time?

P.S.  “Tidy Up Your Life ”  is HERE! 

I'd be honored and grateful if you'd snag your copy now!