As writers, we tend to focus on big, external achievements: getting an agent, publishing our work, earning enough from our writing to make a living off of it. And while these are all great goals to have, sometimes they get so big in our eyes, they hide what's really important from us: the whole writing journey, how it makes us feel, and everything that encompasses it. So many writing stresses can be linked to these massive goals we feel we have to accomplish, and accomplish in a certain way. So often these stresses can steal our joy. So join me today as I discuss the ways I have brought more joy and hope into my writing life by taking a step back and remembering that one crucial truth: writing is a journey.