This is something that keeps coming up for me lately… something I didn’t fully have words for until now.
The quiet.
Some days I feel like the quiet is yelling at me.
It sneaks up on me in places that are supposed to feel peaceful, like in yoga. The moment we settle on our mats, the lights dim, and everything goes still… that’s when I feel the tears slip out. Not dramatic tears. Just the kind that appear without permission. It’s like my body has been holding something it finally feels safe enough to let go of.
And the crazy part?
I don’t always know why I’m crying.
Just that sometimes the quiet moments feel so loud.
And that’s exactly why I think we need them.
As a social media strategist, it’s literally my job to help you show up online. I adore social media. I love the connection, the creativity, the community-building. But one thing I’ll never pretend is that socials were meant to be our escape from every quiet moment.
They weren’t.
Quiet is uncomfortable because we don’t control it.
Quiet makes us feel things we’ve shoved down.
Quiet reminds us of the questions we haven’t answered.
But quiet also tells the truth.
So maybe I’m writing this as a reminder to myself:
As hard as it is, lean into the quiet. See what the universe is trying to say.
Another thing I’ve been thinking about as the year winds down is to talk about our constant belief that everyone else has things more figured out than we do.
I was on a coaching call today with an author who has almost 30,000 reviews on her book.
Thirty. Thousand.
That’s not sales… that’s reviews.
And yet… do you know what she said?
“I feel like my newsletter is lagging.”
We talked about that.
We talked about how no one’s journey is the same.
How someone else’s “not enough” might be someone else’s wildest dream.
There are thousands of authors who would be over the moon to have her numbers. But we get so caught up in what needs improving that we forget to acknowledge what is already extraordinary.
We all do it.
I do it.
Maybe you do too.
So I’d like to encourage you to…
Take a moment.
Find the quiet.
Let it be loud.
Let it tell you something.
And then, find the gratitude tucked somewhere inside it.
I’m working on it too.
And I’m glad to be on this journey with you. ❤️
A few books from my clients to check out…
Charming English villages, loyal dogs, and heartwarming mysteries with a dash of danger.
A murdered churchwarden. An unlikely hotchpotch of carol-singing suspects. An orphaned dog … and a nosy dog trainer!
In the heart of England’s Malvern Hills, Tamsin Kernick faces more holiday havoc when a festive gathering of inept but well-meaning carol singers ends in murder. While it’s a silent night for the victim, the merry gentlemen (and gentlewomen) of the choir find themselves under intense scrutiny.
Eager to collar the criminal so her club friends can enjoy their mince pies and Christmas holiday, dog trainer Tamsin and her super-sleuthing dogs race against the clock to get the culprit locked up before the Man in Red arrives. As the jingle bells of approaching police cars draw near, Tamsin is determined to restore sweet singing in the choir. Can Tamsin and her canine companions unwrap the mystery and bring joy back to their cozy town?
Christmas Carols and Canine Capers! is the delightful seventh book in the Tamsin Kernick English Cozy Mystery series. If you love quirky characters, gentle clean mysteries, clever dogs, and a dash of Christmas cheer, you’ll adore this festive caper.
Are they a fling—or a thing?
William Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet have been dating for three months—the thrilling, awkward stage where every milestone feels momentous. And now comes the biggest test yet: their first Christmas together.
Elizabeth just wants the holiday to go right. And it will. That is, if she can survive the Bennet sisters’ group chat, keep her golden retriever Waffles from eating the decorations, and figure out how to knit a gift for the man who has everything.
Darcy just wants to show Elizabeth he’s the right man for her. But between his judgmental Great Dane, his nagging worry that he’s more ‘bah humbug’ than holiday cheer, and the stress of finding a meaningful present, he worries one misstep could sink him.
With knitting disasters, shopping shenanigans, and meddling families, Unwrapping Christmas is a witty, warm-hearted rom com about chaos, communication, and the art of finding the perfect gift.
Exciting news!
I’ll be teaching a series of workshops throughout 2026 over at History Through Fiction. I’ve been a part of the social media team, and coaching HTF authors for years. Now, I’m looking forward to the opportunity to share my love of marketing and teaching with so many of you.
2026 Writing, Publishing, & Marketing Workshops
Explore our full lineup of workshops, series, and mentorship opportunities for historical fiction writers. Whether you’re just starting out, polishing a manuscript, or preparing to publish, there’s a program designed for you.
First, you can check out Colin’s workshops and then scroll down to see what I’ll be teaching throughout the year.
Melissa, this is so beautifully written.Thank you for sharing those vulnerable places of you. By doing so you allow others to share their vulnerability too. I would like a bit more quiet to release tears. Just to sit, to let the stress fade away for a bit. I wake up early in the morning and my mind goes into full drive. thinking of what I need to accomplish, want to accomplish and the tasks I avoid. That isn't the type of quiet I'm looking for. I try to focus my mind on just my breathing, its hard. And I greatly appreciate being reminded of what I have accomplished instead of always focusing on what else needs to be done. Hugs, Lisa