In past Januarys, I have felt all the feels. This month is so full of potential (and sometimes disappointment). There have been years in the past when I been in the different January extremes. I have felt overwhelmed by grief, or plowed over by the insanity of the overly full Christmas season, or hopeful and ready to embrace the newness and fresh opportunities that feel tangible this time of year (never all in the same year).
This year, I am ready to steadily move forward with a calm rhythm of balance. My days are filled with homemaking, teaching, parenting, volunteer work, writing, and caring for my teens and adult kids. My daughter’s May wedding will bring some extra activity to our already busy spring semester schedule (check out my December recap post to see the engagement photos!💍🩵).
In the midst of my busy days, my personal curriculum basket anchors me in reading and activities that I enjoy and find delight in.
My learning plans remind me to absorb stories in novels, ponder well written ideas in non-fiction, and write excellent notes in my Commonplace notebook that inspire my own writing. The gentle accountability of sharing my plans here with you all keeps me on track on days when I am tired and tempted to mindlessly scroll.
I hope that by sharing my plans it inspires you to create a basket or list that is unique to you and your learning needs this month. 💙
Alright, let’s look at my January planning.
But, first…
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Things I want to do just for my learning and enjoyment:
Spend some time in coffee shops & walking around in downtown Mesa or Gilbert. — The weather outside right now in the Arizona desert is perfect. I need to get out and enjoy it with my family in a way that matches our current definition of fun and leisure.
Making more sourdough breads & pancakes — My focus in December was mostly Christmas cookies and goodies, so I want to get back to the meal basics that we love. I will, of course, be using Everyday Sourdough by Lisa Bass.
Caring for my houseplants and dusting bookshelves in my home — I don’t plan to deep clean the whole house, but some light maintenance and care are needed in some areas of my home. I especially noticed this when putting away Christmas decor.
This week I’m also helping my kids declutter and rearrange their bedrooms.😳 Healthy life-skills that take a tremendous energy to teach.
Cozy candles, soft woven blankets, and mugs of tea — Still thinking about the cozy factor even as I put away the Christmas decor. I bought candles called “Vanilla Bean” and another called “Book Club”. They will be a nice addition to my evening downtime. Also, I have added a decaf mug of tea or hot coco to my evening reading routine on days when I am feeling cold. It is so calming and relaxing! 🍵🛋️
Watercolor or sketching? — I’m not sure if I will have the inspiration or time but I would like to get back into making artistic things for myself and watercolor is one of my favorite ways to do that.
Bullet Journaling — I am excitedly setting up my new Bujo for 2026! I have found that using analog tools for my weekly review helps me think clearly about the week ahead. My blank bujo pages give me just the right amount of structure to write what is needed for that week and make lists for other random planning that pops up.
[🤓📓planner nerd moment…] I just finished my “mustard yellow” Scribbles That Matter (B5 / 160 gsm). My new one is a B5 “bottle green” with 120 gsm. I like that the 120 gsm has more pages (213 pages vs. 151) and I didn’t use thick marker as much as I thought I would. I am so excited to open to those fresh new pages and get it started!!
“Bullet Journaling keeps me on track for my week and helps me keep information out of my head. I can approach my week calmer and react to unexpected situations with speed. I know what I need to do, how much free time I have, and what habits I am working on.” — April EdwardsCheck out this post for more on my Bullet Journal planning
Yearly Planning & Personal Goal Setting — I will have a few pages at the beginning of my new Bullet Journal where I make some overall notes about the year and some themes to focus on. In the past I have done a Word of the Year, but lately just having a simple theme for each of the 4 seasons has worked more for me. I do a majority of my yearly planning in August.
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash — I could totally see myself in this space! So cozy and I love all the books.
So, what’s in my basket?
Non-Fiction:
Mistakes Were Made (But Not By Me!)by Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson 📖& 🎧— this book was referenced in Atlas of the Heart as THE book for understanding cognitive dissonance. This book is full of powerful stories and detailed examples of self-justification: how it works, the damage it can cause, and how we can overcome it. I’m a ways into this book and it has been a difficult but good read so far. By difficult, I mean not in comprehension, but emotionally. It has shown me some very ugly sides of myself and some blind spots that I could not see before. Things I thought only “other people” did. 🫥“When we make mistakes, cling to outdated attitudes, or mistreat other people, we must calm the cognitive dissonance that jars our feelings of self-worth.” – Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson
Practicing The Way by John Mark Comer 📖— In 2024 I preordered this book, started reading, liked it, but then DNF-ed. The timing didn’t match with my mood or other reading topics. But now I think its the right time for me to interact with it’s ideas and the other amazing content available. ( https://www.practicingtheway.org/ )I have a whole shelf section in my office dedicated to John Mark Comer’s books. [The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry absolutely changed my life and my perspective on productivity.] I am sure that I will be sharing more as I get farther into the reading.
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The Healthy Writer by Joanna Penn and Dr Euan Lawson 📖— I really enjoy Penn’s non-fiction writing series. Her books have been incredibly helpful over the past few years. (Especially when writing my book: Subtle Resistance.) I am looking forward to once again applying her wisdom to my writing life and revamping my routines and overall author health. I want to be writing for a long time and this seems like a good time of year for a bit of a refresh.
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Wabi Sabi by Beth Kempton 📖/🎧— I had one of Beth Kempton’s books in December reads and NiamhCeleste suggested in the comments this one for my January stack. I think I read it years ago, but it definitely needs a re-read! I haven’t decided yet if I will read the hardcover or just listen on audio. One of the book descriptions says: “Wabi Sabi will teach you find more joy and inspiration throughout your perfectly imperfect life.” Umm.. yes please!
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Raising Critical Thinkers by Julie Bogart 📖— I have followed Julie Bogart on various platforms and her podcast for years. Her insight into parenting and homeschooling has been affirming and supportive. This book will be a kind companion as we get back into our school work and tackle the spring semester. As a teacher I find I often need a boost mid-year and I’m sure this will be an excellent one!
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my commonplace notes
Fiction:
My fiction book stack is a bit random this month. I plan to read one at a time and pick up the next one that fits my mood at the moment.
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes 📖— This YA novel came highly recommended by a friend and so I bought the series for Lara and I to enjoy. I’ve finished half of it already and I will probably read book 2: The Hawthorne Legacy📖 and book 3: The Final Gambit📖 this month as well. I have been mildly annoyed at the YA-ness of this book (like the main character’s friend using fake cusswords), but overall I am enjoying the story and solving the mystery inheritance issues. The wealthy family the FMC is thrust into has similarities to My Life With The Walter Boys. I’m still not sure if she will have a romantic connection with one of the brothers. It’s definitely going to make for some fun discussions.
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The Aunt Hill by Louisa May Alcott 🎧 (Also called Eight Cousins) — another YA easy read. I really enjoyed reading Jane of Lantern Hill in November so I wanted to add in another L.M. Montgomery novel. When I was writing down my TBR list in my book planner, I realized I already have it on Audible. I’m looking forward to listening to it.
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The Book Club Hotel by Sarah Morgan 🎧— I listened to this at the very end of December and early January while cleaning and organizing the house. It was very winter themed wrapping up at Christmas time. (low spice factor: There were several romance relationships but it was tame and behind closed doors.)The POV switches each chapter which is done well and I enjoyed seeing the different perspectives of the story. Hattie Coleman (the main character who runs the Inn) and lifelong friends Erica, Anna, and Claudia are likeable, flawed, and real. I found myself especially relating to Anna. Each of them are going through some major changes and feel stuck until they realize that they can help each other in unique ways. If I listed the tropes it would sound cheesy but it didn’t feel that way at all. It felt grounded and each character was well rounded.
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A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman 📖/🎥— This was recommended by the online book club I’m a part of. The genres are humorous fiction, contemporary fiction, and character study. It became a New York Times bestseller and was adapted into a Swedish film and the American film A Man Called Otto, starring Tom Hanks. I found the paperback in a discount bin and if I don’t end up having time to read it, I will just give myself a pass and watch the movie. I like that it has a MC with strict routines and curmudgeonly exterior.
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Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross 📖— This is her newest book and it’s described as a sweeping, beautiful adult novel filled with tension, romance, and dark secrets. (I got the special hardcover edition with dark teal edges and cover art.😁) I’m excited to have this romance novel on my list and I’m looking forward to diving back into the world of the gods first introduced in Divine Rivals. I am not much of a fantasy reader but the books Ross writes are guiding me into the genre with excitement.
I am hoping I can read all of these this month but we will see. As I have said before, I am holding these plans loosely.
If there is anything I don’t get to this month, I can roll it into next month’s planning or put it on the shelf for another time. It’s flexible.
I’d love to hear what’s working for you!
Share your TBR’s, favorite winter reads, and ideas in the comments.
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