restful productivity to live deliberately & avoid overwhelm

My October Personal Curriculum Plans

What’s in my personal curriculum basket this month & a few things I learned in September. After writing about creating a personal curriculum, I realized I needed more structure in my own planning this fall. I’ve done this type of learning practice off and on for years. Sometimes with careful planning and at other times…

My September Personal Curriculum

A recording from April Edwards’s live video – here is the link for the Substack post with the video. A quick tour of my personal curriculum basket and what I am focusing on this September (and honestly probably most of October). After writing this post about creating a personal curriculum, I felt convicted to create more…

What’s a Social Sunburn?

A definition that will help when a simple conversation suddenly turns tense, you’re misunderstood, or an interaction feels emotionally loaded. . I inherited my fair and freckled skin from my mother’s family. I know that if I plan to spend more than 15 minutes in full sun, I need to slather on SPF 50 or…

Blue Dots, Feeling Fearful & Tackling Overwhelm

Blue Dots, Feeling Fearful & Tackling Overwhelm

The Blue Dot Effect study shows how our brains tend to find something “wrong” or “scary” in situations—even if the actual danger has disappeared. The Blue Dot Effect study — here’s how it works: In the study, participants were shown a series of colored dots and were asked to identify which ones were blue. At…

Capacity – Personal Growth

Capacity – Personal Growth

I think of a sound board when I look at snapshots of my life. There are times when I have space for growth and forward momentum, then others when that becomes a background track. I met my husband serving in college ministry at church. We chatted over the soundboard before and after meetings. Those interactions…

The Journey of Personal Growth

The Journey of Personal Growth

Starting something new can be complicated and layered. Often we need a foundation to hold us steady as we step forward into new terrain. I’m still on my way, still learning, and it feels like an ongoing adventure of discovery. The exciting part? I’m guessing there will always be something new for me to learn.…

My Commonplace Notebook – What Is It?

My Commonplace Notebook – What Is It?

I was introduced to the idea of a Commonplace notebook when I read The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady. I had 2 kids under the age of 4 and I was reviving my learning after being consumed with caring for little ones. I have always been fascinated by journaling and writing out what I…