restful productivity to live deliberately & avoid overwhelm

My August Personal Curriculum Plans

what’s on my mind this month, favorite finds, & summer travel


Not every month needs a dramatic fresh start.

I almost made this month’s plan look very different but then I looked at my full calendar and my ambitious back-to-school goals. Yikes…!

I remembered that the purpose of well-rounded planning is to keep my interest alive and my learning layered. And I realized that would not happen if I made a tall TBR full of heavy content.

Also, because of my random rabbit hole in July, I didn’t get to finish all of my books on my list. So a few of those will go in my suitcase.

This August I am keeping it pretty low-key. 😀


Let’s take a look at my plans:

1st my inspiration collage =

a map of my month ahead:

(What I’m excited about and making space for this August)

  • 📦helping my daughter and son-in-law move across the U.S. — packing, moving boxes, organizing.. all the things involved (+ some big feelings😟)
  • 🧳travel — along with the move will be a long road trip in our RV to the U.S. Mid-West and many destinations. We are excited to be in new places and see new areas (like the Smokey Mountains).
  • 🎧audiobooks — I am hoping my TBR will keep me sane on our long drive days and give me a good outlet to retreat to on our busy travel days.
    • also related, please tell me your favorite road trip snacks! 🥨🍫🍬🍪
  • 🃏family card games — our current favorite is Kings Corners (its like group solitaire) and Uno No Mercy (although that one quickly gets out of hand)
  • 💻writing — I have lots of draft notes and scribbled pages in my idea book I would like to turn into published posts. Hopefully I can squeeze in time to do so. I’m also really enjoying working on the Book Club posts that will be coming out soon.
  • 👩‍🏫📘homeschool planning — I am the school secretary, teacher, curriculum researcher, organization committee, and decider of the things. Prepping for our school year takes me a few weeks of focused work. My kids also get to make some big decisions in planning out the year so we work together as well.
macbook pro beside white ceramic mug on brown wooden table
Photo by Meghan Mosser on Unsplash

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📖now let’s get to the books!

(What’s in my book basket and audiobook queue)

🌎Geography related Non-fiction:

We are a homeschool family and we have no trouble embracing our knowledge-goblin-nerd personas. So while we travel I plan to read about the states in the mid-west (+ read-aloud if my family is in the mood).

📖📚Here’s my stack I gathered from our schoolroom:

I’m excited to learn more about each state we visit while we are there! 👩‍🏫

Also our favorite way to memorize the state capitols is this song from Brain Beats. It kept coming back to me while I was doing trip planning!

Other Non-fiction:

Their Future is Shining Bright: A Guide to Homeschooling in High School—and Equipping Your Child for Success and Fulfillment in Adulthood by Rachel Kovac 📖🎧— This month will also be filled with school planning and getting back into the school schedule. I find something that helps me is reading books that inspire me to keep going in this unique job/calling/lifestyle of homeschooling.

I have heard many good things about this book and I think it will be the perfect companion to my back-to-school on-ramp.

If you want to know more about our homeschooling or how I make that work check out this library catalog post that includes all my free planning PDF’s.

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Chase The Fun: 100 Days to Discover Fun Right Where You Are by Annie F. Downs 📖— I love the reminder that fun isn’t something we have to earn after everything else is finished. Downs makes the case that making room for delight is actually an important part of a full life. I have a tendency this time of year to get bogged down with everything that needs to be planned and completed, so I’m hoping this book with help me lighten up a bit.

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📖Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything by BJ FoggNiamh Celeste and I have been prepping book club posts and you will love it! If you haven’t heard about this yet, make sure you are subscribed for updates!

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If you struggle to get projects started or put new habits in place you should come join us at book club!!


Fiction:

…um honestly, I’m not sure yet. 😜

I tend to be a more mood reader when it comes to fiction and my TBR is very long with exciting reads. So I will update you with my August recap post but for now I don’t have specific titles to share.

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And that’s it. Like I said, simple plans for a very busy month. 😀

person holding white book page
Photo by whereslugo on Unsplash

So, how about you??

I’d love to hear what’s working for you! Please share your TBR list.

Leave a comment


I hope you find something here worth borrowing, adapting, or simply thinking about. Take what serves you and leave the rest.😁

You don’t need hours of free time for personal growth.

Just keep showing up when you can.

📒🍂 Happy Reading —


📝Save these helpful posts for later =

When Hobbies Feel Out of Reach

My #1 Tip for Personal Curriculum Progress


⭐consider this next step =

✳️My online course!

It’s a calm, self-paced guide with tools to make a plan you feel good about.