I had only two clients this year. I did not make six figures. I actually haven’t made that kind of money in five years.

Being a solopreneur and running your own thing is really hard. I doubt myself pretty regularly. I’ve had to learn to set my own measures of success and not hold myself up against the markers of others. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. 

Then I remember: My clients pulled off a large-scale event, consistently executed email marketing, and saw growth across the board. And I got to pick up my kid from school every day. We did countless crafts, read tons of books, which she can now read some! I was present when she hit a forehand over the net, had a piano performance, and shredded on her skis. 

I went back to teaching at the Y and became a regular in my local community. I spent time with my parents and friends. I'm ​part of an online writer's group that provides so much support and grace for each other, keeping me inspired every week. My work expanded. While my subscribers haven't exponentially grown, I can see the development and refinement in my writing. I also got to see so many sunsets from my front porch.

This year, I've deepened relationships both professionally and personally. This upcoming year, both of my clients are sticking with me, my online writer's group is organizing an IRL retreat, and we have three family trips planned.

What I do is on a small scale, and I will continue to doubt myself as I ride the waves of self-employment and motherhood. But the indelible, quiet moments are my markers of accomplishment. And with few but impactful things to look forward to, that feels like success to me.