emily p. freeman

Creating space for your soul to breathe so you can discern your next right thing.

hello, friends.

I thought about titling this post “Remember When I Used to Write on a Blog?” but that felt a little negative and self-indulgent in a weird sort of way (self-indulgent: a word I can never use without hearing Simon Cowell in my head).I 85 from CharlotteSo I’m just going with hello, friends. I’ve missed writing in this space more regularly. But October is coming and you know what that means? That’s right. 31 days of writing – a post every day. Can you handle it?!

Here are the series I’ve done in the past:

2010: 31 Days of Grace

31 Days of Grace

Because I have more to say about grace than anything else so it only made sense. Plus I was writing Grace for the Good Girl at the time so that was the only topic I thought about, ever.

2011: 31 Days to Change the World

chatting-at-the-sky

This was also the year Grace for the Good Girl released and the year I turned in Graceful.  We were a little ambitious in 2011.

2012: 31 Days to Hush

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After a full and difficult 2011, I desperately needed some space. I was working on my third book at that time and October was a particularly discouraging time in my writing. I wanted to join in on 31 days, but the only thing I was motivated to do was to be quiet and listen. So I wrote about that.

And for 5 whole days of it I didn’t write at all because hush. #brilliant.

2013: 31 Days of Living Art

artful-living

This was last year’s series and it coincided perfectly with the release of A Million Little Ways, that book I finally was able to finish. I probably had the most fun writing this one but it was also the most work.

And so here is the place where I’m supposed to tell you what I’m going to write about this year and invite you to read along. But I don’t really know the answer to that yet. The only thing I have is a deep desire to write more consistently here. And October is a great time to do it.

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In fact, this year my sister has rolled out a brand new website designed just for us 31 Dayers. If you’re thinking of writing on your own blog everyday in October you should definitely check it out and join in.

Meanwhile (a word I can’t say without remember I used to think it was meanwild – didn’t everyone?) I will continue to take notes and jot down ideas.

I’d love to hear from you in the comments if you have any topics or thoughts in particular on what might encourage you from me here in October. Trust me, it could be anything. I’m debating writing about TV, kittens, and Oreos for the whole month because that would be fun, adorable, and delicious.

Home at Chatting at the Sky

Seriously, though. I just want to write out a few simple lines and share a lovely image everyday next month. That may be all there is to it. It may not have a fancy name or an interesting catch.

But it will be me and there will be you and I will be writing here again. And I just wanted you to know.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Looking forward to following along. This will be my first time to participate in the 31 Days Challenge and I’ll be writing on Parenting With Purpose. It sounds like a good idea now…we’ll see at the end of the month. I like your “few lines and a picture” idea…a little less daunting. Either way, it’ll be fun!

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    • Good for you, LeeAnn! It’s a great writing practice to force yourself to publish without perfecting. There’s always tomorrow.

      Glad you like my few lines and a picture idea. That’s sounding better and better!

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  2. That DOES sound fun, adorable, and delicious! It’s funny because after a slower summer around my blog, I hadn’t really given much thought or prayer to doing 31Days. But then a few friends started picking topics and talking about it and the thought of NOT doing a 31Days series made me sad, so I am thinking right along the same lines! A Photo a day, or something I am thankful for… keep it light and easy… but who can know? Last year around this time, the Lord dropped the whole series in my heart and I wrote it in a matter of days! (Still… after all this slow and quiet, I can’t see that happening this year!) Whatever you write, I will read. And that is all. (Plus, Oreos!)

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  3. I’d like to maybe hear something about Compassion. About Compassion Intl (maybe how your family is involved or about your sponsor child whom you met on your blogging trip), but also about how to live with compassion and consideration of others. I’m excited to follow along!

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  5. Excited to see what you decide upon, Emily, and I know it will be delightful no matter what you choose! I really need the accountability and am dying to participate this year as well, but I’m going to be gone for almost 10 days during the month of October. Any advice for how to combat that problem (besides the obvious thought of scheduling posts ahead of time)?! 🙂

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  6. Love the 31 Days of October posts you do! Is gratitude too passé? It’s been my saving grace and stabilizer for forever these days…just hard to see/choose always??? Anyway, whatever the topic, I’m all in! 🙂

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  7. Emily I’m so excited and terrified at the same time… Because for the first time ever I plan to join in!!! I’m ridiculously grateful for the beautiful timing of The Writers Circle – At the Barn, I’ll need all the encouragement I can get 🙂 I’m looking forward to writing on Cultivating a Radically Authentic Life – we teach what we need to learn, right? 😉 I’ve already started outlining some ideas and hole to get a head start… I seem to function a little better that way LOL I know that even the best among us still up full of fear and trembling in their own calling, so I’m I know it’s normal, but I’m pushing through anyway. So excited to read whatever you share – always, you are such a beautiful inspiration, can’t wait to see you soon!!!

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    • Umm, commenting at midnight, maybe not the brightest idea LOL… That is *hope to get a head start… and …the best among us still *show up full of fear and trembling in their own calling, so *I know it’s normal…
      Queue bedtime 😉

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  12. Emily … simpler is better, yes?

    I’m a big 31 Days fan, but this year I just can’t do it. It makes me sad to say ‘no, thanks,’ and there’s that whole FOMA {Fear of Missing Out} thing.
    But my mom isn’t well and I just don’t have it in me …

    But I am doing a little Autumn Nesting Delights series that will run a few random weeks. And in the process will be giving away 2 copies of your sister’s book and sending people her way.

    And maybe I’ll read alot more posts that others share because I won’t be so absorbed in churning out something of value every day.

    ‘All things work together …’

    Blessings today.

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  14. I like the idea of 31 days of real life! I think i might do something like that on my blog, though maybe it is broad. 31 days of poetry, maybe? 31 days of risk-taking?

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  15. See
    That’s the word that comes to mind, but I don’t known how to say it in a flowing sort of way….. 31 days of see-ing? Learning to see?, what you see? I don’t know, but I would enjoy taking in your pictures and few words on what you see each day.

    I seem to be having the same problem with the topic that comes to mind when i think of what I will be writing about; pray…..learning to pray? pray-ing? Nothing sounds quite right. Maybe I’ve been spending too much time helping my 10th grader with her English and grammer that I’m over thinking? :0)

    Anyway, I echo the previous comments-whatever you write I will enjoy reading!

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  17. After reading through Galatians, I’m snagged on the idea of receiving. Receiving Christ and everything that means, receiving whatever He chooses to give me in my life from the big themes and events that arc all the way through to the small daily things. So there you go…receiving!

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  21. I tell you something I enjoyed you did – those morning and evening reflections at some point a while ago. A pic and a few lines sounds very peaceful. Peace is good.

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  22. Definitely 31 Days of Oreos! 🙂 But seriously, I like the idea of keeping it simple with a few lines and a photo. It could be 31 Days of Simple (simple encouragements, simple random facts, simple blogging tips). Maybe that’s not considered a “real” topic? I dunno. I’ve decided to do 31 Days of Santa Barbara, because I love where I live and I sometimes take that for granted. Excited to try to actually finish this year, since I totally failed last year!

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  23. If you want to write consistently…what about writing about consistency? It’s actually my nemesis, so I wouldn’t mind hearing if you had something to say about it.

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  24. I’m in a waiting period of life and I also have a prodigal child I haven’t heard from in two months. I would love to read 31 days of waiting as Tawnya commented, shining through dark times as Les commented, or no fear as Amy commented. Simple is also a great topic. And as another commenter said, “Anything you write, I will read.” Love your posts from the heart. They breathe life into my soul and into my days.

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  26. oh so glad that you are back, Emily! 🙂 I eagerly await whatever it is that you write for 31 days, and I know that what you write, God will use, and that is exciting to me!

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  28. Thoughts for October….. This week over at Incourage Ann Voskamp wrote a post called “How to see God: The light of brokeness.” May a picture or a couple lines of how you see God around you on each particular day? Just a thought.

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  29. I love your weekend posts. I think 31 days of benedictions would be lovely. Your words encourage and bless me. Thank you.

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  30. I love the honesty and vulnerability you write with. It helps me feel less alone on the lonely days knowing you speak truth when your heart is struggling. You let us into that very tender place that may be wrestling a bit and it gives us freedom to wrestle as well…whatever you choose to write on….I will look forward to joining you. Praying your ear is bent to His voice in the next few days as you seek direction for this 31 day writing series. Your words make a difference…hold onto that when the hard days of writing come.

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  31. Yay!! So excited to see what you do!! I think your Oreos idea might be my favorite ! 😉

    I failed miserably at 31 Days last year. But I think I am going to try again this year, taking your sister’s tips about breaking up posts, scheduling them, etc. Here’s hoping! 😉

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  32. Perhaps you can write about:
    31 Days of Living.

    Whether it be cleaning the pantry one day and starring awesomeness of the Grand Canyon the next.

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  33. 31 days of who we are in Christ (rather than getting our value and worth from people, places and things), 31 days of not living in fear

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  34. I admire all of you who can post for 31 days in a row on one subject.
    But for me, in the interest of having margin in my life and choosing the right yeses and nos, I can’t justify that kind of commitment during this October.

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  35. I’ve never done one of these 31 day writing challenges, but it sounds intriguing. I think I would have to agree with Abigail – I would like to see 31 days of Compassion. Compassion for the least of these. Compassion to see others with Christs’ eyes and love them with His heart. Whatever you come up with, I’m sure it will be perfect. I’m looking forward to it, Emily.

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  36. You, my dear friend, are the only 31 days series I’ve ever read. I’ve read your past two years, and have truly loved them. Looking forward to this years – no matter what topic it is! xo

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  37. It will be nice to visit with you every day no matter what the topic. Actually I had something like that in mind too – minus the words! Actually I don’t know if I have 31 days in me this time around. I may just settle for being the one with the encouraging word.

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  38. Hope. The world needs hope. Our communities need hope. Our churches need hope. Our little families need hope. Our hearts need hope.
    This could encompass so many things…holy scripture, great sayings and quotes, beautiful books, lovely art & photograph, scrumptious comfort foods/restaurants, and guest posts. So many options! A month wouldn’t be long enough!

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  39. I know whatever you write, I will thoroughly enjoy reading. I’ve participated the last three years. This year, I will be doing “31 Ways We Worship” exploring the various forms of worship expression.

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  42. 31 days of …
    broken and beautiful
    becoming
    discernment
    courage
    listening
    being

    I look forward to hearing what’s in your heart!
    ~peace.

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  43. Hi, Emily! I’m fairly new to your blog; I came across a link to your post “One Question I Ask Myself Before I Pray for Clarity” on another blog and immediately fell in love. God brought that post into my life at the perfect time, and since then I check in with your writing regularly for little bits of hope and inspiration. I’m a professional dancer, but consider myself to be a writer as well, and I relate to your writing style very much.

    When I saw you taking requests for the month of October, I thought it would be a perfect moment to speak up (something I’m working on doing). I’d love to see your thoughts on self-forgiveness. Finding the place within yourself holding the love for yourself that allows you to move on from something in your past. Once you ask God for forgiveness, how do you find the self-worth to forgive yourself? I find myself saying I’m not worthy to live a normal life free from the bondage, no matter how much I recite God’s love for me. I’m holding myself back. Maybe it could be under the “31 Days of Compassion” idea some others had. “Seeing You In God’s Mirror”, because sometimes it’s easier to extend compassion to others than to yourself. Or the “31 Days of Becoming” Karen suggested. “Becoming Forgiven”.

    Anyway, sorry for the long comment. I look forward to reading whatever you decide to write! 🙂 Thank you for letting God use you to bless others with your gift!

    Peace and blessings.

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  45. Hi Emily! I’ve never commented & we’ve never met, but I feel like we are old friends… from reading A million Little Ways and your blog now and again.

    I’d like to encourage/challenge you to do 31 Days of Trust, and not plan any of your posts ahead of time, but trust God to give you the words each day.

    All for Him,
    Stacy

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  46. I have no idea what I’ll be writing about. I’m thinking “31 days of thoughts from my kitchen sink” because, you know, that leaves it super-vague and open to whatever happens to pop into my mind. I don’t know though. Whatever I end up writing about – I plan on showing up. And honestly can not wait. I participated a few years ago and really loved it.

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