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Using Our Words

Slice-of-life stories about parenthood

2014 – A Brave New Year

2014 – A Brave New Year

January 2, 2014 by Amy, Using Our Words 19 Comments

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New year. New word.

And I got it from listening to a pop song. (Fitting, right?) At first when I heard it, I thought of my kids — how it expressed my wish for them. But it turns out, it’s my wish for me too.


Let your words be anything but empty.

Why don’t you tell them the truth?

Say what you wanna say,
And let the words fall out.
Honestly, I wanna see you be brave.

– Sara Bareilles, Brave


For me, 2014 will be BRAVE.

I will try new things. Boldly. With confidence.

I will make decisions — simple ones, tough ones — without looking back and questioning the what ifs.

But mostly, I will stop talking about my dream, and start making it a reality. This year I am going to write a book. I’ve had all kinds of ideas about what my first book would be along the way, but last year, as Pink turned two, this concept I’m really excited about came to me. Thanks to years of writing for and connecting with this community, I have the confidence to believe that my words will stick. That they’ll make people laugh, think, and enjoy parenthood (or at least reading about it) a bit more. Now I just have to make it happen.

Which means…

I will stop saying yes to other people, and I will start saying yes to myself. Not because I don’t believe in them. But because I believe in myself. And nobody else is going to make this happen for me.

This may mean that my blog will be quiet at times (though the list of things I want to write about is long), but it won’t mean that I’m not finding new ways to share this topsy turvy journey of parenthood with you. I hope in the end, you’ll all be as excited about the finished product as I am.

I’d ask you to wish me luck, but I’m afraid that won’t do. I need to own this one. To be brave.

Do you have a word or a goal for 2014? I’d love to hear from you.

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Filed Under: featured, Mom Musings Tagged With: book, Brave, new beginnings, New Year, new year's resolution, writing

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Comments

  1. Jodie Hoffman says

    January 2, 2014 at 9:52 am

    yea for you – and good luck! I can’t wait to hear about the progress!!!!! xoxoxo 🙂

    Reply
    • Amy, Using Our Words says

      January 6, 2014 at 11:51 am

      So far, the progress is about 12 lines (not pages) of notes. Watch out world!

      Reply
  2. Sam says

    January 2, 2014 at 10:20 am

    So excited for you Amy! You own this!

    Reply
    • Amy, Using Our Words says

      January 6, 2014 at 11:52 am

      Thanks, Sam! xo

      Reply
  3. Rachel D says

    January 2, 2014 at 10:23 am

    This is so exciting Amy! I can’t wait to read your book! 🙂

    Reply
    • Amy, Using Our Words says

      January 6, 2014 at 11:52 am

      I appreciate it Rachel! Maybe you can review it for your awesome blog. 😉

      Reply
  4. Pam says

    January 2, 2014 at 8:35 pm

    You’ll be great Amy!! Go for it and I know you’ll ‘wow’ all of us! Wishing you success!

    Reply
    • Amy, Using Our Words says

      January 6, 2014 at 11:53 am

      You’re always so wonderfully supportive, Pam. Thank you!

      Reply
  5. Heidi @ love each step says

    January 6, 2014 at 4:41 am

    Perfect word! I can’t wait to see what your year brings!

    Reply
    • Amy, Using Our Words says

      January 6, 2014 at 11:53 am

      Thanks for being such a great support, my writer friend!

      Reply
  6. Jen says

    January 15, 2014 at 5:21 pm

    ok. 1. I love that you got your inspiration from a song bc I did too. 2. I love that the song you chose was Brave bc I have been obsessed with that song for months now and that obsession has passed on to my 2 year old who when she asks to see the video says, “Mami. I wan see you brave.” 3. I love that writing a book was in there bc for the las few years that has been my challenge and I feel like when I said I wanted to push myself harder in my post the book is exactly what I meant. Great read!

    Reply
  7. LK Hunsaker says

    January 21, 2014 at 12:12 pm

    Best of luck with your first book! It’s an exciting journey. 🙂

    Reply
    • Amy, Using Our Words says

      January 23, 2014 at 10:39 am

      Thank you!

      Reply

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I’m Amy, the girl next door. I’m your average obsessive mom/ happy wife/ freelance copywriter/ slice-of-life blogger/ social media addict/ chocolate lovin’ wino. Read More…

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