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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / family / Let’s chat about being brave.

Let’s chat about being brave.

May 2, 2014 · 16 Comments
Filed Under: family, inspiration, Maxwell

Years ago my dreams revolved around my career, which is how I defined myself as a young twenty-something married lady. But I can’t help myself and think of this quote by Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, “If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough.”

I’ve challenged myself with the world of handmade for years. New goals, new processes, new ways of refinement. I had huge goals and most often felt like I was sitting on the edge of my seat, just the tiniest bit scared of these dreams of mine.

A handful of years have passed since Zack and I got married, and I’ll be 30 next summer ((yeow!)) — so naturally things have changed in terms of my dreams.

We now have a family and almost two years ago we relocated from the Midwest to Los Angeles, so it’s totally normal for things to have shifted a bit. Right? Even though it’s (once again) a tiny bit scary, I’m giving myself grace in this area.

My focus has shifted and I’m more aware of the people in my family; how can I nurture them and continue to grow into the woman I am? Being brave can be scary, but also exciting!

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Something else I’ve learned these last few years is I don’t enjoy anymore making super defined, advanced plans. I used to enjoy this, way too much. But now — and I think this is the evolution of moving so frequently in a short amount of time (5 times in 6 years) and totally being swept off my feet as each new adventure starts — I find more beauty in sitting back and soaking up the now, instead of always anticipating the future.

We’re not even guaranteed tomorrow, so why spend all of today’s thoughts on tomorrow?

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In January I picked a word that I wanted to reflect on throughout the entire year: Brave. It takes courage to be brave, doesn’t it? It takes a brave soul to try something new, a soul that knows where her treasures are (in heaven).

When we are brave enough to say, “let’s do this”, we allow the unexpected to bless us because we don’t have our noses pressed downward in fear.

And then lastly, another thing I’ve learned this year is that being brave has given me more moments of mamahood. I’m catching them more often, and my goodness it’s filling my heart right up.

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16 Comments
Filed Under: family, inspiration, Maxwell

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Comments

  1. Katy says

    May 2, 2014 at 8:34 am

    Brave has been a huge word. A friend is doing a series on Brave + putting on your brave boots, it’s been very good. Various people are writing blog posts about being Brave which is now going to be published into a book.

    My word for the year is simplify!

    As Moms our focus is ever changing on the smaller details in the lives of our family but the big focus stays the same (on them).

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      May 2, 2014 at 9:13 am

      @Katy, I love that word, simplicity. It’s a good one. And one we can all use to better our lives :) thanks for the comment Katy! XO

      Reply
  2. Jacinta says

    May 2, 2014 at 9:42 am

    Greetings from MN…spring has finally arrived:)
    Being brave has been big for me as well. When I started my little shop, Blessing and Light, my favorite quote at the time was “Do one thing everyday that scares you.” -Eleanor Roosevelt. It helped me get through a lot of hesitation in learning new things.
    I noticed you don’t post very often about your business anymore. Are you going in a new direction with your blog? It’s been exciting to read about your journey and I love all you write about. Blessings.

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      May 2, 2014 at 10:10 am

      @Jacinta, I am, small changes here and there, and it’s been really wonderful to have the courage to test out something new. XO

      Reply
  3. Jessica Leigh says

    May 2, 2014 at 9:48 am

    I love this post! Being brave is so hard sometimes but it sounds like you’re doing all the right things. I, too, will be 30 next year (March) and have changed so many goals from my early 20s. We’re also relocating from the Midwest (Chicago – hubby’s from GR, MI!) to somewhere I don’t even know about yet (finding out in July!) My hubby’s job requires us to go wherever we’re assigned and gosh dang, that takes some bravery! LOL.

    Thanks for this post! You’re always full of such wonderful perspective.

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      May 2, 2014 at 10:14 am

      @Jessica Leigh, what changed my perspective the quickest is realizing even if we have safety nets in place, not much (really) in life is controllable. So instead of spending my time trying to control it I’m asking myself everyday, What is my focus? What’s my purpose?

      How exciting you’ll be moving soon and you don’t even know WHERE — yeow! You are brave :)

      One day we’ll look back on all of these adventures and think, “Gosh, remember when…” :)

      XO

      Reply
      • Jessica Leigh says

        May 3, 2014 at 7:59 am

        @Maggie Whitley, yes, it’s so true that even with all the safety nets, things still go their own way!

        I find my biggest burden to being “okay” with letting go is having too much stuff (in my home, in my mind, etc.) so my 2014 word is “simplify.” It’s going so well and I feel so much lighter already :)

        Happy Saturday!

        Reply
  4. Andrea Worley says

    May 2, 2014 at 11:14 am

    brave. that’s such a good word. you’ve been through a lot of things in the last couple years and moving across the country and leaving is family is very brave. happy weekend to you maggie!

    Reply
  5. sarah says

    May 2, 2014 at 12:41 pm

    Thanks for this timely post about being brave! A great reminder to me in not being afraid to dream big dreams:) I love the “Be still and Know” print that you show in the one picture above…would you mind sharing where you got it? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      May 2, 2014 at 5:02 pm

      @sarah, that’s from my dear friend Lindsay, her shop is Pen & Paint on etsy.

      Reply
  6. sarah says

    May 2, 2014 at 6:22 pm

    Thanks, Maggie! I’ll head over now and check it out!:)

    Reply
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    May 5, 2014 at 12:41 am

    meantime talking about find new different ways to tease while deed namely distinctively laid out. Rather than this article, you will notice some rather simple dietary directions and home natural home remedies that will help in is playing. You will observe a coolness that you didn’t had earlier…Again, if a has program is that it standardizes the most essential/core features of is really a process. And then finally,cheap jerseys from china, to York State, together with a town around New York rea

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  8. Laura Radniecki says

    May 5, 2014 at 9:35 am

    I love how you are making a point to live intentionally.

    At this point in my life, I am identifying myself very much with being a career woman; an entrepreneur.

    But this was a wonderful reminder to be very intentional about how I spend my time, in the midst of it all.

    I’ve made a very intentional decision this year to enjoy my free time as fully as I put into my work. I work hard, so I should play hard.

    It’s a difficult task for me to shut off my brain when I’m done working, but I’m getting better.

    Blessings for you Maggie, as you enjoy the present and step in your new direction.

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      May 5, 2014 at 2:08 pm

      @Laura Radniecki, You are so kind — thank you for your comment and encouragement :) I love the phrase, “work hard, play hard”, too often we forget to play. XOXO

      Reply
  9. Alicia says

    May 5, 2014 at 9:26 pm

    I needed to read this so bad and when I stumbled upon it, it brought tears to my eyes. It’s all to easy to stay in our everyday life and not step outside our comfort zone. For far too long I have been doing that because it was safe. Its time for me to step out and embrace the things that seem scary. I never use to shy away from a challenge, its time to find that passion again. Thank you for sharing this!

    Reply
  10. Hilary says

    May 6, 2014 at 8:13 am

    This is just what I needed to hear today Maggie! I’ve been reading your blog for years. I found it just as I was beginning to dream of more; of living a creative life and you have been such an inspiration. I just recently opened my Etsy shop and it has required so much courage and bravery. It’s hard sometimes to just live in the moment and not worry about the future. Planning gives me comfort and a feeling of control, but life is happening now and I want to be present for it.

    Reply

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ABOUT MAGGIE WHITLEY DESIGNS:
Maggie Whitley weaves her writings around joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith, and simple living. She homeschools her children, enjoys a quiet room while reading, and roars with laughter over the challenges & delights of motherhood. Maggie and her husband, along with their four young children, live in metro-Detroit. She has been writing online since 2008.
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maggiewhitley

JOY in motherhood & homemaking 🧺🌿💓✨

maggiewhitley
Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect o Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect on the moments I’ve felt my mind spinning, my emotions swirly, it’s almost always when I’m not feasting on the word of God. Not that reading scripture is the cure for anxiety —no! Rather, it’s hard to worry when we’re worshipping.
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#womenintheword #wearethehomemakers #scripture #dailyintheword #titus2woman #healthylifestyle #mentalhealth #anxiety #anxietyawareness
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A quiet night: the furnace is running, the tea is A quiet night: the furnace is running, the tea is hot, and the whisper of a page turning. ♨️☕️📖 // We are breaking from school this week, my plan is to read a lot, walk a lot, and rest a lot. How about you?

#mothersofinstagram #tea #winterreading #hygge
I fought every internal comment I could think of a I fought every internal comment I could think of and took my kiddos for a looooong walk today before dinner. ❄️✨ There’s just so much work required to raise children! I’m feeling like a tired lady. But sunshine & fresh air are good companions to keep around. 

We came home and I made “the best dinner ever”. Max specifically announced, “it’s so great you’re launching new meals to the world”. LOL— kids! 🤣👏🏻💓
How about a little Wednesday night introduction? 😘Social media sure has changed over the years and we don’t always SEE who we’re following or remember WHY we’re following certain accounts. 

So, hello! As you can gather, my name is Maggie ;) 

I started writing online (almost 13 years ago) to share the handmade products I was sewing. My shop was called Gussy Sews. ✂️👛I love the community that has grown from sewing & sharing online.

Let’s FFW to today: Zack and I live in Michigan and have four young children (2 boys & 2 girls). I slowly left the handmade industry and walked right into homemaking, homeschooling, and encouraging women through writing. 💕📝

Motherhood has been very hard on me. (And not just because of how close in age our four children are.) It’s been hard for me because I fought for years to accept that *it’s supposed to be hard*. 

I mean, how do you effectively teach another person to know and love the Lord? Bc that’s how I think of motherhood: a calling to nurture others by studying the One who nurtures me. So I gotta make the first move: study the Bible and seek Him first. As my friend Autumn reminded me, vulnerability births transformation. 

(I’ve had to be really vulnerable!)

So, yes motherhood has fully transformed me. But even more so, Christ has fully transformed me. My list of “all that He’s done for me” is off to a beautifully long start.

Something else I want you to know about me: I stalled for years before acknowledging I have anxiety and depression. It’s hard to talk about this because of course this isn’t forever “my hardship”, but rather because acknowledging this means to heal I have to work through some really difficult things. ✨

But my friend Jesus walks alongside me. He’s already done a mighty work in my heart, including helping me process my anger in healthier ways. I’ve also adopted a heart for sisterhood, mothering, and Titus 2 mentorship.

Sometimes our greatest losses are our greatest gains? That’s what I’m clinging to!

How about you? Tell me something about yourself so I can get to know you on a deeper heart level. 🖤🖤
How do you play in the winter? // We had a really How do you play in the winter? // We had a really great time visiting family in northern Michigan. On my blog I share a few ways we played outside, plus I describe a memorable childhood game ❄️☃️. Did you play it as a kiddo?
We had gotten a bit lazy with our rhythms: screens We had gotten a bit lazy with our rhythms: screens in the morning (HGTV), playtime before lessons, and not enough quiet time after lunch. This made for a really, ummm, unenjoyable learning experience. 

But today! Today we reset the rhythm, and we have had a much happier home & time learning together. 👏🏻
Visit my stories for a quick message from ME — t Visit my stories for a quick message from ME — think outside the box in terms of how you view the definition of “motherhood” 💓😘 (also: look at my little friend, she’s sooooo snuggly)
It’s another cold, winter day. ❄️Today I hop It’s another cold, winter day. ❄️Today I hope to bundle up for another family nature walk, knowing the fresh air sweeps out any & all frustration, inviting inspiration inside. ✨That’s something we all need more of.
seriously LOL: I’ve found the secret to calming seriously LOL: I’ve found the secret to calming the Laundry Beast (as a family of 6). Who wants the inside scoop? ✔️🧺👏🏻
Another batch of “fun mail” is headed out tomo Another batch of “fun mail” is headed out tomorrow :) small celebrations like this are very life giving! PS. thinking of starting a zoom book club — I need more sisterhood in my life. 👏🏻📖
The house is quiet. The heat is on. The pages are The house is quiet. The heat is on. The pages are turning. The tea is calm. 🖤☕️🧺📖
Breakfast with Buzz! If only you could see his ful Breakfast with Buzz! If only you could see his full costume and laser blaster and of course the Buzz action figure he flys around 🌟💚💙💨someone has discovered a superhero crush! #joyinmotherhood #slowmornings #surprisedbymotherhood // Landon @ 2.5yo
Today on my blog I have a list of books I hope to Today on my blog I have a list of books I hope to read this year. Plus my reading goal for the year. And a few practicals ways I fit in reading as a mama of four young children & homeschooling them. Basically, all the good stuff ☺️💓📖 #maggiewhitleydotcom #readersofinstagram #read #readmorebooks
It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the fu It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the furniture as we took the tree down Tuesday midday. Def one of my fav things to do.🎄👋🏻 We made it through our first week back to school since mid-December! It was rough to begin but ended with high fives. ⭐️✏️This morning I zoomed with a mama friend and I’m impressed with the many topics we covered. Sisterhood is sooooo necessary! ☕️👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏼

Just a few cheery memories from my week! How about you?
Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activiti Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activities. I finished my last book moments before 2020 ended, which brought my started list to a close. Small joys add up to big joys ;)

What are you reading this year? Currently?

How many books are you planning to read? What’s your goal?

I’ll share what’s on my list for 2021 soon as I received some nice titles at Christmas. 📖✨🤍
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