And that is why my monthly personal curriculum plans that includes books, activities, and personal hobbies matter so much to me. I need a list of ideas to pull from that I am currently excited about. A To-Do List that doesn\u2019t accomplish anything related to my caretaking tasks, but brings me immense joy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I have gotten some questions from readers about how I structure my learning, why, and this pointed comment:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
[ \u201cWhat\u2019s with the list of seasonal activities? That\u2019s not very academic<\/em>..\u201d ]<\/p>\n\n\n\n So today I am sharing all the reasons behind my current study type, including practical details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In my previous post, I shared a piece from my online course: How to Build a Personal Curriculum<\/a>. Check that out if you missed it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a>One of the pieces of Lesson #1 is understanding the 4 types of personal curriculum study. In the class, I gave an review of some different ways to structure your personal study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here is that overview slide:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Today I am doing a deeper dive into my favorite way to tackle personal study plan: \u201cRelaxed But Intentional<\/strong>\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Right now my personal curriculum is all about learning that feels easy and fits into my real life. It\u2019s following what actually feels interesting instead of forcing big plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I keep simple rhythms, small stacks of books, an activity idea list, and a few podcasts queued up. As well as plenty of room for rest, curiosity, and fun things for whatever season I\u2019m in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n .<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Lesson #2 I also expand on a few of the different ways to plan out a timeline for a personal curriculum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are the examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is essential to decide on a time frame that works for you and then give yourself grace. (Life will often interrupt plans.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n I used to approach my learning in seasons that lasted a few months at a time. Lately I have found a month to be the perfect timeline to not overschedule, but to keep on track with my goals. But I still lean into the seasons and try to include activities and books that give a nod to the time of year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each month I do a quick reset where I pick a few things I\u2019m excited about and let that guide me, so I have just enough structure to stay focused without turning it into another rigid plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They are not often very \u201cacademic\u201d and seem silly to some, but I have found after hitting burnout<\/a> that I need these plans to create a more well-rounded schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I have a quote in my office that grabs my attention when my eyes glaze over and I end up staring mindlessly at my bookshelves. It inspires me to be more creative and do more outside of my writing work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEither write something worth reading, or do something worth writing.\u201d <\/strong>– Benjamin Franklin2<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n I am also inspired by the ideas from Charlotte Mason about living a life permeated by being in nature, discussing good ideas, reading well written words, and examining beautiful art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Life is so much more than a list of adulting tasks, a cleaning To Do List, or even a stack of books we brag about reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEducation is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life.\u201d<\/strong> It is key to live a vibrant life full of ideas and experiences that give us material to have great conversations and healthy relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I want to be the best version of myself. At this current age, in this life stage, and in this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n seasonal specific activities<\/strong>or personal goals To-Do list<\/strong> also called:\u201cthings I want to do just for my learning and enjoyment\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n While my personal curriculum does rely heavily on my book basket and audiobook list, there are some things that are outside the realm of reading.All throughout my life I have dabbled in a variety of hobbies, skills, homesteading tasks, and creative projects. I tend to lean towards certain things in different seasons. Spring is often more deep cleaning & decor craft focused, while Winter is more cozy handicrafts. I enjoy letting the seasons inspire and motivate me to add variety to my days. But I find that I often overthink these things and forget to add them in my busy week.I usually have ideas for a few activities (and supplies gathering dust in my closet). By putting them on my list (and sharing with you) I am more likely to do them at some point that month.The simple process of making my collage for my post and writing down some ideas for the month has been so inspiring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sharing my reading basket contents and personal curriculum plans here feels like the gentle accountability of a library book due.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I am inspired to do what I write about, to live out the words I share, and to avoid hypocrisy. I also hope they inspire you to make a plan that is unique to your life and current needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If any of these personal curriculum tips and ideas resonate with you, please check out my online course: How to Build a Personal Curriculum<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Building this class was honestly so satisfying and fun, and I think you\u2019ll feel that energy as you move through it. It is highly practical and full of simple steps to apply in the midst of your busy life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n course details<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n I know it\u2019s a big ask to buy a class, but everything else I share on Substack (and my blog) is free and will stay that way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you do decide to join, it simply helps me keep making and sharing this kind of work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n .<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1<\/a> POV = Point of View (or who is telling the story) & MMC = Male Main Character (see also FMC = Female Main Character, terms often used in discussions of romance novels<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83e\udd13book nerd moment <\/em>: Apparently a version of this quote appears in Franklin\u2019s Poor Richard\u2019s Almanack<\/em> from 1738 as: \u201cIf you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading, or do things worth the writing.\u201d<\/em> I guess the full quote was to upsetting to put on a pretty wood frame. \ud83d\ude1c<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n 3<\/a> Check out this post<\/a> if you want to know more about my deep dive into Charlotte Mason\u2019s Volumes (my personal curriculum goals of 2024).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" What does \u201cRelaxed But Intentional\u201d mean to me? My days are filled with homemaking, teaching, parenting, volunteer work with teens, and writing. I am a mid-life mom busy homeschooling my younger two and finding ways to love and support my two young adults. Most of my days are full of caretaking tasks that become an… <\/p>\n
\n\n\n\n4 Study Types – Personal Curriculum Tips<\/a><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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What that looks like:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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debates<\/s> discussions. \ud83d\ude1c\ud83d\ude01<\/li><\/ul>Sometimes the books I pick hit a few of these categories and that is a fun bonus. For example one of my January reads: The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin<\/a> is a historical fiction novel set in London, from the eve of WWII through the Blitz. The novel is inspired by the real-life resilience of London’s bookshops during the war.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!0i7Q!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb1be836f-4277-44fa-bba1-65d66eb46f21_3072x4080.jpeg\")
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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nSo why do I include a list of seasonal specific activities or personal goals in my personal curriculum?<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Charlotte Mason, A Philosophy of Education<\/em>, Volume 63<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
What that looks like:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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I hope it inspires you to create a list that might not seem \u201cacademically rigorous\u201d <\/em>at first glance. <\/strong>\ud83d\ude09<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\n\ud83d\udcd3Happy Learning!<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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