Prep for 2024 with me | reflecting on 2023 goals and how I want to approach 2024 as a writer mom

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

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[@marygracewriting]

I love that you enjoy being a mom so much. Being tired isn't fun, but you know that the little people in our loves are so worth it. I hope baby 2 works out for you. Blessings!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thanks Mary!

[@laurencarr1267]

My favourite thing about this video is you openly saying you need help with your son. As a mum myself, I know how hard it can be to admit that, feeling like we are failing, or we shouldn’t ask for help and just do it all alone - but our kids get the best from us when we are the best versions of ourselves, and being exhausted, burnt out and lost is not our best versions, and it’s so easy to become all of those things as a mum. Best of luck for all of your 2024 goals. My biggest goal is to publish my first novel this year!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

That’s a really good way to put it, when we take of ourselves we are taking care of them as well by being able to show up as our best selves. Thank you so much, best of luck to you too, you’ve got this!

[@AndrewWileyauthor]

Thank you! My wife and I plan to draft 2024 goals soon and we plan to challenge our boys to do the same. We have found all your videos to be so helpful to the start of my indie author career. So, thank you!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

That's awesome, I love setting new year goals, they're so inspiring! Glad the videos have been helpful!

[@EvieReddingWrites]

I am so sorry for your loss. I have pcos too and really was inspired by your writerly and motherly story. Thank you for being vulnerable with us.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you Evie, I really appreciate the encouragement and glad it was helpful!

[@HanaEnyde]

❤❤❤ You’ve gotten so much done in 2023! Congrats! And rooting for you on all your goals for 2024! Intentional is a great theme for the upcoming year - I’ve been easing myself into the whole novel writing business and wrote so many first drafts of different books in 2023 but haven’t gone back to edit anything (my perfectionist syndrome kicks in a lot). For 2024, I’d love to finally get into the editing process so that I can get it ready to publish in 2025! Crazy how fast time flies 😮

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you Hana! And that's totally understandable, wishing you an awesome 2024 though with tons of progress, you've got this!

[@Avionne_Parris]

"Progress, not perfection" - that's my writing mantra as I can get a bit bogged down by perfectionism instead of just word vomiting the draft and fixing it after. The mantra helps. Thanks for being vulnerable and sharing your goals, Bethany! My 2024 words of the year are "creativity" and "courage" so I've signed up for Sarra Cannon's HB90 boot camp to get my butt into organised gear. Scared but hyped. This year's words are "gratitude" and "self care" and it has definitely made 2023 the best and most productive year ever! Next year (God willing) I will be published and thrive in my writerly goals! Yes, I will :)

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Yessss love that mantra! And also your words of the year for both 2023 and 2024, those are really solid! Here's to us both having an awesome year ahead! :D

[@authorannettepalmer]

I have the same bedtime revenge thing and I also have no excuses. Thanks for sharing about that. I thought I was like the only one who hated going to bed.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Oh my gosh you’re definitely not alone haha! It’s a real problem, and I have no idea how to break past it 😂

[@authorjessicaahoopes]

I'm sure I have said it on one of your videos before, but I did things opposite. I had my family first and now I am trying to figure out how to work my writing career in. My kids are older, youngest is almost 12, now but I homeschool them and so my kids and their learning and growing is still my number one priority. I struggle with having enough "me time" and not always leaving my stuff to the last thing on my list. Most of the time I feel like I have no energy left after I take care of everyone else. And even with older kids, I am still constantly exhausted. Being flexible is crucial. Thanks for being vulnerable and sharing things about your life. It helps others know they are not alone.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Yeah that natural parental exhaustion has a massive impact on creativity, and it's so good for us to both be aware of that (and give ourselves grace) but also find ways to "refill the creative cup" so we feel up to creating again. Glad it was encouraging and thanks for sharing!

[@talesandtreatswithtay]

Im not an aspiring author, but i am a new mom so id appreciate any mom videos you share ❤

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@maf1747]

I think I had that issue when my children were small until I chise to give myself some grace. Duh... You can be intentional with your time, but there is so much we can accomplish in a day, if we respect our basic physical needs. I think your word of the year can also be : patience. And for PCOS : yes strength exercise a couple of times per week and good quality of sleep will help, not only with this issue, but your whole life! 🤗 you got this!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Absolutely! Thank you!

[@mrslilivincent]

So excited for this year for you! I've sort of had my head in the sand because it's full of fear about making the wrong publishing decisions. I love watching your grow and embrace the season you're in fully admitting you are human and have limits. Thank you

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Yay thanks Lili! Yeah don't be afraid to fail because honestly it's a necessary part of the journey, but it's really not that bad!

[@najeeamurray323]

These kind of videos are so inspiring because they're honest and helpful. Your author advice and life advice are so valuable, especially for everyone who's trying to balance everything at once. I believe you asking for help will help other mothers ask for help. And I'm so glad you found the church that fits just right for you! When it comes to the non-fiction book, of course we would love it, but I believe when God wants you to publish it, you'll know. His timing is perfect and always purposeful!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you so much, that's really encouraging to hear and I'm so glad it's helpful! Very good point about the non-fiction book too, thank you!

[@jeanshelbybooks4154]

Your videos are always inspiring to me! I’m glad I’m not the only one who makes simple lists. I’m so glad you’re loving the mom life! My two little girls are 12 and 9 and are my best friends. ❤😊

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you so much, that means a lot! Lists are awesome, and so is mom life, I agree!

[@erikaromerowrites]

I just bought a walking pad during Black Friday. Hoping to up the daily steps without needing to deal with outside weather. Best of luck with these goals!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Oooh love that! That's a genius idea!

[@MissShembre]

Something that helps me at bedtime is taking a warm shower first to warm my skin up. I also HATE having to go to bed, and it's been helping a lot. It still doesn't do the trick if I'm mentally/emotionally restless, but at least I'm snuggy for a bit and have a higher chance of drifting off.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Ooooh I love that trick, I'll have to see if that helps, thanks for the tip! :D

[@heatherkirchhoffwritesya]

I'm sorry for your loss. 💜 I'd love to read the nonfiction book!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you Heather ❤ I appreciate that, and would also love to get moving on that nonfiction book, so thanks for the encouragement!

[@mariavalente6304]

I want a nonfiction book!! Talk about things that you have learned this year in terms of new places to publish, and marketing.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Yay that's encouraging to hear, I'll make sure to prioritize that one. :) And I feel like I've covered those topics a ton, but I'll think on if there's anything new I could share for sure :)

[@MissShembre]

Congratulations!! You did so well, Bethany!!! I met 0 of my big writing goals, although I did start a new book project and made a lot of progress on it until I got stuck. I got beta readers for my "first" project, and tore it apart after to split it into 3 shorter books, but haven't gone back to stitch up first-y. This year ended up having a heavy focus on my paintings, artist pop-ups, art shows, small conventions, and craft bazaars (I did 2 events almost every month.)

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you! And nice work to you as well, progress is progress, and getting stuck happens, what matters is that you find a way to get unstuck - you've got this! Here's to us having an awesome 2024!

[@JoLovesToRead]

Thank you for sharing the hard things

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Yay I'm glad you're interested in that video, I'm planning on doing that one soon! It's definitely a lot of work, I agree haha... I have a ton of thoughts on motherhood so I'll try to share that soon, but you've got this, keep rocking it!

[@woodlandlady7011]

I would love to have the non-fiction publishing book in my hands, Bethany! Looking forward to the ''butter book' too! But you also need to look after yourself, your health matters, Bethany.💗

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Yay so happy you're excited about both of those, and thank you for the encouragement, will definitely make sure to balance health and work in 2024!

[@moonykmi]

I loved this video, it's such a joy seeing all that you accomplished in 2023, even though I missed you over here in KZbin. You are very inspiring, and as another mom to an almost 2 year old

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you so much, that means a lot to hear, especially from a fellow mom! 💗

[@alexwholey3391]

Sending love for the future, especially baby plans. Good luck with everything ❤ I have two kids but didn’t start my writing career until they started school full time. Kudos to you writing full time with a little one 😊

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate it!

[@kayweda5929]

Thank you for sharing your goals and for being vulnerable, it's not easy to be that open with strangers. As the eldest of two, I know we can be a handful but I don't think our parents regret it one bit. On a different note, I would love to get a signed book from you, whenever you do sale! Also, if you ever do write that book based on the course, I would love to buy a copy to reference until its pages start to fall out. Keep going after your goals! You are amazing, you are blessed, and you are a blessing!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you so much! The signed sale will be so fun, hopefully I can do that sooner rather than later, and same goes for the nonfiction book- thank you for the encouragement! 🥰

[@rachaelbirch9303]

First off, I love what you said about planning for your second child being like a bear storing up. Second, 2023 was a year I started to reach out to find critique partners/writing coach. I feel like I've learned a lot as a writer. But 2024 is the year to go public with my writing. Which means I think it's going to be a very fun and exciting, but busy year. Anyway, that's what I'm hoping/praying for. The life of a Night Owl is a hard one for us creatives with children, isn't it? I hope you figure out how to get better sleep. If you do, please let us know!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you Rachael! And that’s awesome, here’s to us having an awesome 2024! (And if I get any revelations about sleep I’ll definitely share, here’s hoping haha!)

[@authorjoannawhite]

Please try to do your writing book! Your videos are a great resource and I'd love to hold one in my hands directly. You've helped me grow soooo much as an author Also feel free to ignore this part but I have PCOS too so I understand the struggle. My husband and i have been trying to have a baby (none yet). I also eat too many carbs (sugar, chocolate, and potatoes are my weakness) so I totally understand how hard it is to cut sugar

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you so much Joanna, that means a lot to hear! Will do! Here's to us having an awesome 2024 including better PCOS symptoms, pregnancy, and sweet babies!

[@elliem.7521]

the nonfiction book sounds interesting but i NEED to read the butter book like now the vids have me pumped for it!!! 😆

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

hehe love hearing that, thank you! Gosh I can't wait to write that one, it'll definitely be a priority book!

[@KylieStewart_Author]

About to have my second in March! Definitely daunting to take on two plus having my own business and writing ❤ I super hope that you are able to have your second when the time is perfect! Xo

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

You've got this! Definitely get that feeling but it will also be amazing! And thank you so much! ❤

[@susanbuckminster282]

Thank you!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

You're welcome!

[@sweetdesignink]

Great job on your accomplishments! 🎉 You did awesome. I love the cover rebrands for the Stolen Kingdom Series! I enjoy vlogs. Sorry for your loss of second child!😢 My grandma experienced the same. I found out about it this year when my grandpa passed away. I'm sure a relaxed version of your goals will help! I like the idea of drafting more while there's Zion and edit the drafts later since it takes less mental energy for you. Whatever a relaxed version that can lead you further to your goals is best! I've accomplished some of my goals. Improved my gut! So exciting I can eat some foods at Thanksgiving unlike before at Easter I couldn't eat anything i brought food and my stomach hurt still with the safe food options. I eliminated a lot, anything that cause stomach pain. That wasn't carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and chicken. I'm still on a restricted diet but not as restrictive. Symptoms of Gastritis is slowly chipping away! 😊 Hope by 2025 I'll be able to eat normally with some acidic and spicy foods. While healing Gastritis I lost 32lbs. I ate mainly chicken thighs and low carb vegetables. To curb hunger I had chicken bone broth and teas with honey. I had carbs, dairy, and sugar twice a week as a treat but low carb vegetables and protein as my main focus. From March to September I cut out sugar and only have honey or maple syrup. I have read 15 books this year which is the most I've read. More nonfiction than fiction. Writing wise I started writing two stories both incomplete but I kept the goal small to once a week from September to now. First half of the year was healing digestive system. I look forward to seeing your 2024 goals! Maybe search your symptoms on KZbin you could find some helpful information. I did with Gastristis and a lot of different gut related topics. Best wishes for you and your family!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you so much Cassie! I appreciate the condolences. Glad this was helpful to see, and how encouraging to hear your story too, thank you for sharing! Awesome work on your goals as well, here's to us having an awesome 2024!

[@sweetdesignink]

@@BethanyAtazadeh Yes, let's have an awesome 2024! 🙂 Thank you for sharing your journey! It keeps encouraging me to keep trying to get past my stall in writing a complete first draft of any story I try writing. I wrote stories in 2013-2014 then hit writers block. I haven't yet got past ch 5 yet. I know, I'll get past it sometime. 😊 In 2024 I'll read more fiction, watch anime, TV, and movies and see if it helps. Hope you and your family have a happy holidays.

[@kathywerebwrites]

You are doing so great! Thank you for sharing your vulnerable side! ❤. My goal for 2024 is to publish a book! It’s been a dry spell between my last book published and now, so I’m working on my first fantasy series. I design my own covers as well, and a tip is to take notes while creating them for easy reference later. I, too, have a tendency to ‘forget’ how I did something 😂😂 and having notes to refer to has saved my bacon! 😊

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you Kathy! And you've got this! Here's to us having an awesome 2024!

[@authorhaleynwright]

Oh, I totally understand the whole sugar struggle. 🙈With the holidays here, it's just harder. But I am definitely a big on anything chocolate. Something that has helped me is to have a little chocolate everyday. Basically, I don't believe in depriving myself. Chocolate milk during the summer, and hot chocolate during winter. It's definitely helped me not reach for as much desserts. Also, if you love chocolate. You might want to check out Crio Bru which is brewed cacao. It's basically chocolate drink that is brewed like coffee. That has definitely helped me satisfied my chocolate cravings without always reaching for processed sweets. 😃

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Yesss I’m the same way, chocolate is a good group haha! I’ll have to check that out, thanks for the suggestion!

[@jeanshelbybooks4154]

My last comment, I swear. 😂 Dr. Mindy Pelz is the fasting guru and she talks about the benefits of fasting with PCOS. I’m not a doctor, I have no idea, but what I do know after 30 years of dieting and exercise, fasting on and off through the month along with my cycle has been my key to keeping my weight where I want it.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Oooh that's intriguing, thanks for sharing!

[@iyannasmith4238]

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉I knew you were a Capricorn!!!!!!!!!Awesome, ayyyyyyyyyyyyyeeeeeee. I'm the 17th🤗

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Woohoo January birthdays for the win haha!

[@jessicachipps2159]

Here I was thinking she was an Aquarius- she's just so relatable!!!

[@armanisar-feinial1789]

Sorry for your loss. Best of luck with the weight loss goal and getting healthier. . .also,. I'm a huge proponent of IF! I've been doing it for about a year and a half.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you, I appreciate it! And I haven't heard of IF, so I'm intrigued!

[@armanisar-feinial1789]

@@BethanyAtazadeh It's generally recommended to consult your doctor before doing IF, but it helps with digestive health. It's eating within a window, as opposed to whenever. I started with the 2x5, which was fasting for two days a week, or have a meal not more than 500 calories. I do 8/16, so I eat within an 8 hour window. That, and I couple in a calorie deficit for assisting weight loss.

[@chaotickitz]

I would love to see the non-fiction book. I am not for online classes but I do love to read.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

That's encouraging to hear, thank you! I'm going to try to prioritize working on that book in 2024 more now that I know that, because I can be the same way!

[@jazzminewillis4724]

Thanks!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

💗💗💗

[@WillWaldron]

Bethany, Thank you you’ve taught me so much over the years as I’ve been working on my manuscripts and books, you’re such an inspiration and amazing at what you do, I’m starting a KZbin channel soon and I’m just wondering how you get the comments to come across the screen what program you use to present lately that is doing that.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you, I edit with iMovie!

[@ivanaparty85]

I just had my rainbow baby following 2 MCs due to endometriosis and pcos. It happens like you said. So please take your time. Enjoy your marriage and don't put a deadline on it

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

💗 that's making me tear up, thank you so much, very encouraging to hear!

[@76kilosofshade81]

I call them my BHAGs (big hairy audacious goals). Yes, you want to achieve things without disappointment, but you also need to dream a bit, especially as a creative. My BHAG is self-publishing, not for $$ because I have a career I love but because I want my stories to be out there. Also, love weight lifting for health. Love that you're going to pursue it as well!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Bahaha love that! That's exactly how it is! And you've got this, here's to us having an awesome 2024!

[@76kilosofshade81]

@@BethanyAtazadeh absolutely, we will!

[@rhondablackhurst6421]

Just caught the Minnesota reference in the video. I'm originally from MN (Brainerd area) and I have a sister in Champlin. Small world!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Haha that's awesome, I don't even remember what the reference was, but yay MN! :D

[@JeremyMcGarry1]

I understand the sleeping thing. My brain never turns off.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Right? It's tough to stop thinking!

[@jeanshelbybooks4154]

I don’t see a link for the church you like and I’m definitely interested in checking it out! 😊

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

oh my gosh, so glad you reminded me, thank you! here's the link to my church! www.substancechurch.com/sermons/

[@jeanshelbybooks4154]

@@BethanyAtazadeh Thank you!! I’ve wanted to join one. 🥰

[@Lovefromlea.x]

I love this videos, I love talking about goals and it's so satisfying to see how much you’ve achieved when you sit down and talk about it. Thank you for sharing. ❤ This is getting me in the mood to write my own list! I'm sorry for your loss, I promise it gets better. I had 3 miscarriages, that all my babies after my first where Rainbows 🌈 ❤ I now have 4, it's a little struggle to jump from 1 to 2. But well worth it! 😊 I really need to get on your course, but you're right about the handbook option, I love this idea. Also, is Invisible Souls a re-telling or purely original? Could it be you're enjoying the re-telling craft? (Also: A good resource for PCOS particularly for diet, try Mealssheeats)

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

❤ ❤ ❤ thank you for sharing, that means a lot to hear! And so glad the video was encouraging! Haha that's awesome, if you don't get to the course before I finally finish the book, then a handbook option could be perfect! Invisible Souls is inspired by some Lion King vibes but is less retelling, so you might have a point there, I hadn't thought of that. And thanks for the tip for PCOS diets too! :D

[@RitaSlanina]

NaNo is the toughest time for me for working out. Hubs and I are gym rats and it's still hard when trying to balance physical health and my goals!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Yeah it's SO tough! The holidays really mess with me too, because I use them as an excuse to wait on being healthy lol

[@patricialivangood3748]

I would love for you to finish the Self Publishing book. I'm an author who is still learning the writing world. Omg you're a January baby so am i. I'm a New Years Baby. Still enjoy your time as a new mother by taking it slow because childern grow up so fast.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you Patricia, I really hope to finish it soon! :D And I appreciate that, thank you!

[@heatherstiara8033]

You don’t need 10 hours of sleep a night. Actually, there are a lot of studies about sleep by people a lot smarter than me. But my husband got by for years sleeping 4 hours a night and had so much energy. I thrive on about 6-7 hours of sleep. If I go to bed at 9, I’m up at 4 in the morning. But for sure, adults typically need 7-9 hours of sleep. So it depends where you fall in that. But if you sleep too much, it can make you feel more tired.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Haha for sure, that part was probably unclear 😂 I’ve been doing 6 hours a night which is WAY too little, I personally need about 8 and a half or 9 to function at my best (but also were very vitamin D deficient in Minnesota so that plays a role in sleep too haha)

[@sarah_c_brody]

If you don’t do anything else, reduce your sugar intake! I don’t want to sound dramatic, but it is truly poison. Kicking sugar was hard and I highly recommend removing sugar from your diet gradually because you will get sick if you do it all at once. (It’s basically like having a drug addiction). You probably know all this, but just in case... You might want to eat more fruit while you'e trying to reduce your added sugar. Naturally occurring sugar is fine- in moderation. Once you kick your sugar habit, you will feel amazing. You’ll sleep better, your mood will be better, it might help lessen stress, and your skin will look better. It’s basically the root of all dietary evil. (My stomach issues even got significantly better when I removed sugar from my diet.) And make sure you familiarize yourself with hidden sugars like corn syrup and other ingredients. And that concludes my TedTalk on kicking your sugar habit. :)

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you for the encouragement Sarah! I have the head knowledge that I need to give it up, but my heart is not on board (or maybe that's just my sugar addition talking lol) But very good points for sure, thanks for the push to work on this bad habit haha!