[ a few confessions, my DNFs, and how I spent my January ]
It seems a bit cheesy to say but, seriously where did this month go?
For me, January has been a month full of homemaking projects, planning, social gatherings, reading, and school lessons. Each day has been full of projects, teaching, investing in relationships, and has also included some rest, but the days have flown by.
I began the month with what Kendra Adachi calls “Big Black Trash Bag Energy”. I moved full steam ahead through the entire house decluttering, cleaning, and reorganizing rooms and spaces. It was much needed and very satisfying, but maybe a little tiny bit unhinged.🙃
Once that itch to clean stuff out hits me I just ride that wave till I’m worn out and the house feels less heavy and full. (Not perfect, just less like it’s yelling at me from every closet and shelf.)
Also, it means that I spent a ridiculously wonderful amount of time listening to audiobooks! 🎧📗 [ practical decluttering tips ]
from a Substack Note I wrote:
It is hard to describe the deep satisfaction of spending an afternoon putzing around the house; organizing, cleaning, decluttering, and resetting different spaces for the new year.
With an audiobook in my earbuds and the repetitive movements of folding towels or organizing a space, I feel connected to my body and the enjoyment of caring for my home.
When I describe it to other people it sounds trivial or silly. But for me it is deeply grounding and calming long after I move on with my evening. It’s not about making my environment perfect, but making the space useful for me and my family and the messes we will make.
Seasonal Activities:
A favorite coffee shop this month was Creampuff in Downtown Phoenix. Mary and I stopped by on our way to pick up her friend from the airport. 🍩☕
I started the process of putting away the Christmas decor early January and then paused that project while I stormed through the house on my declutter spree. The urge to put away all the Christmas stuff didn’t fully hit till mid-January (including our very crispy real tree). This felt like an unplanned extension of the December holiday and made the evenings extra cozy for a little longer. I can see personal growth in this area because I just embraced my whims without shame or frustration. 🎄💙
My Bullet Journal planning has been a wonderful calming force for me this month. As I worked on planning, household projects, hosting events, and starting back to school lessons my bullet journal pages grounded me and kept all the details floating around in my brain. I have several pages full of lists with satisfying checkmarks and crossed off notes. ✅☑️
I did not get out my sketching or water color supplies this month. But I did discover Reverse Coloring Books. I found it deeply satisfying to bring order to a page full of colorful chaos. The second photo below (with triangles) was done by Kyle during our history reading. 🖋️
My Reading Plans –
Non-Fiction:
I have enjoyed all my Non-Fiction picks this month.
Each one has felt like just the right book for my overall mood of January this year.
A notable favorite has been Practicing The Way by John Mark Comer. I have done a deep dive on this one. Listening to the podcasts, reading each chapter, and then Commonplacing my notes has been so fulfilling.
The other night when I woke up and struggled to get back to sleep I thought of p.41. Comer explains how unintentionally our minds fall into chaos, but that they can be retrained to abide in the presence of God. So instead of catastrophizing, I choose to pray. (It’s an area that I am working on.)
I also dusted off my Hebrew/Greek Bible Dictionary and did some word studies. I have really enjoyed Comer’s approach and the variety of content he has to support his practical ideas in developing faith. I am excited to help High School and College students apply these ideas in small groups and in my church community.
Fiction:
I did not finish reading Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross 📖. I was having a hard time getting into the setting and following the world building. It is beautifully written but decided to DNF it for now.
Since one of my monthly goals is to tackle something from the Mystery or Fantasy genre, I switched up my plans and read the first book in The Flavia De Luce series by Alan Bradley. I heard about this one in Meagan Francis’ recent podcast (Books We’ve Loved Lately!). She solves crimes in 1950s rural England from her family’s crumbling manor, Buckshaw. I would definitely consider it a YA novel, but was a fun listen. In The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, I enjoyed keeping one step ahead of Flavia as she solved the crime.
I also added Home by Marilynne Robinson. Last year, I read and discussed Gilead (in the same series) as part of Leah Boden’s book club. This month (and in February) we are discussing Home at The Mind Gallery. I am looking forward to hearing the insights from other readers because my own experience with the book so far feels muted and dull. Though it has helped to go back and forth from the audiobook to the paperback.
I did read and got a thrill out ofThe Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes and book 2: The Hawthorne Legacy. I discovered that there is a book 4 to the series (which I ordered) but I haven’t gotten to read books 3 or 4 yet. They will show up in my February plans. 😜
I also added in The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin.🎧 It is a historical fiction novel set in London, from the eve of WWII through the Blitz. The novel is focused on the London bookshops during the war. I really enjoyed the resilience and determination of the FMC.
Another DNF was Chasing Beauty: The Life of Isabella Stewart Gardner by Natalie Dykstra🎧 it is a biography that portrays the life of art collector and creator of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. I saw it mentioned a few times and was able to get the Libby audio right away. I got a few hours in but had trouble connecting with the book. Also, I haven’t studied the Gilded Age in a while so I felt a little lost in the historical context.
🍿🎥Films & Movie Nights:
Due to my exhaustion (from busy days) and overall worn out state at the end of each day we had lots more movie night evenings. This felt like a fun continuation of our family Christmas movie nights but with broader themes.
We enjoyed watching:
Wicked (2024)
Wicked: For Good (2025)
The Giver (2014)
Holes (2003)
A Wrinkle in Time (2018)
TRON: Legacy (2010)
A Man Called Otto (2022)
In our homeschool History curriculum, we are slowly working our way through the 1950’s and 1960’s. I always try to find a variety of movies based in that time period to give the kids visual context to what we are learning.
We watched:
October Sky (1999)
The true story of Homer Hickam, a coal miner’s son who was inspired by the first Sputnik launch in 1957 to take up rocketry with his friends.
The Bookshop (2017)
Set in a small English town in 1959, a woman decides, against polite but ruthless local opposition, to open a bookshop, a decision which becomes a political minefield. I enjoyed the slowness and sly hidden motives.
That Thing You Do! (1996)
A Pennsylvania band scores a hit in 1964 and rides the star-making machinery as long as it can, with lots of help from its manager. But behind the scenes, the group’s sudden fame tests their strength and maturity.
…It’s Wednesday afternoon, and I stand at my tea kettle feeling worn down from all of the busy tasks and activities this week. What I really want is someone to give me permission to just sit with a book and a cup of tea. I want to make an easy dinner and have a quiet evening.
My bullet journal is full of lists with neat little blue check marks. Tasks that I figured would take me all week to get done, I have blasted through in 3 days… I have roamed the house with intense energy decluttering to my heart’s content with an audiobook in my ears. (Aunt Hill by Louisa May Alcott)
Now as the sun begins it’s decent, the rain is falling outside and the house feels cozy. I will choose self-kindness and some downtime on the couch with a book…
Overall I am feeling satisfied with my reading basket and plans for this month. I hope this post helps you give yourself permission to adjust your plans or reading as needed.
I’d love to hear what’s been working for you!
Share your TBR’s, favorite winter reads, and ideas in the comments.
I have had an unusually productive January, but I expect that things will shift as the calendar changes to February. Don’t worry, I will keep you posted. 😉
Thank you for being here.
📒 Have a beautiful day! –
.
[note: this post is NOT sponsored, I just want to share what I’m using and how]
