How “Annie’s Adventure” started

I decided to start looking at life more like an “adventure” after becoming a mom, and around the time I was exploring songwriting for the first time. The two things coincided probably because I found myself needing a new way to look at my everyday life. I wanted to be more spontaneous with my kids and embark on a journey of rediscovering myself without too much expectation. Having been called “Annie” since I was a kid, I started taking on my nickname again.

“Annie’s Adventure” became what I refer to as “my adventure,” “my life” or “my journey.”

In 2018, I began writing about the songwriting journey portion of my adventure and sharing it every other Friday with a few close family members and friends. I wrote about how I first picked up a used book on songwriting after having my first son. I shared when I signed myself up for a community education course for beginner guitar after having my second son. I was honest that I really wasn’t sure where any of it would lead, but that I was having fun and seeing where it would go. Like one of those Choose Your Own Adventure books, I was deciding each week what I might do next based on how what I just did went.

I continue to write “Annie’s Adventure” as an email, but like a pen pal letter, and with “Make it an adventure!” as a motto I always include. While I’m writing about my journey, my hope is that I can inspire you to find ways to explore your own dreams, and to look at your life more like an adventure too.

I love that with a simple click of “reply” it really is like a pen pal letter. While completely optional, writing back and forth with those subscribed is a lot of fun. I oftentimes also sprinkle in nostalgic stories about my childhood and will share blog posts like the first one I wrote called Why I love the color, yellow. I sometimes ask questions to spark memories for readers as well.

Since starting “Annie’s Adventure,” I’ve traveled to Nashville, Tennessee and played at an open mic night at the Bluebird Café (My Bluebird Story), recorded at the Ryman Auditorium (My Ryman Story), and had a song called Carry On played on the radio! (Carry On) I’ve released multiple singles, have done virtual live performances, and share recorded YouTube videos. I’ve got my music on all streaming platforms like SoundCloud and Spotify and launched the Annie Lynn Shop on Etsy!

My journey has taken me back and forth between Minnesota and Wisconsin, to re-locating back to a small town near my hometown of Madison where I grew up. Like a real adventure, I’ve enjoyed sharing the ride. Subscribers are like co-pilots and also Annie Lynn Club members. If you’ve already joined and subscribed, thanks so much for coming along!

If you’re not subscribed yet, but would like to follow my journey, Subscribe to receive “Annie’s Adventure” and I’ll send you a free download of my signature song, Carry On. (Join Annie’s Adventure)