![\"\"](\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!OFkR!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2df0fe51-b4fe-49a7-8c46-7c8f78961170_480x480.gif\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nIn the end, I sadly put it back on the shelf because one of my secrets to adulting<\/a> is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cif a system is not broken, don\u2019t fix it\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I know myself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If I buy that planner I will spend a few days working on it, filling it out, adding in stickers and notes, but then by mid-September it will go untouched. Because the openness of my Bullet Journal calls me on busy days and the planner with lots of structure feels overwhelming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I always go back to my blank dotted pages that let me create what is needed for the week ahead. I love analog planning but I have learned that for me it needs to be a blank page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Structure seems so exciting when I\u2019m standing in the store holding a crisp new planner or when I am relaxed and thinking of all the things that I will get done. But in those \u201cmiddle of the week\u201d moments it feels like a waste of time spent doing extra planning instead of executing the tasks that are piling up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, as I created structure for this school year (in my homeschool planning, writing work, and homemaking) I returned back to my Bullet Journal and my basic notebooks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [ You can learn more about my Bujo system here<\/a> and my academic planning here<\/a>. ]<\/p>\n\n\n\n And honestly, I am loving it. \ud83e\udd13\ud83d\udcd3<\/p>\n\n\n\n Planning brings me so much joy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I love looking ahead to this next year and dreaming up projects, things to focus on, and all the details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n **Most of these printables have posts that I\u2019ve written if you want to go further. Just use the search option on my homepage.<\/em> \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n So, as you can see, planning is a large piece of my focus as summer ends and the school year begins. But I also have a few other goals for this month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n here is my September inspiration collage:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ambitious-planner-April wants to add a few new hobbies and projects, but I\u2019m going to keep expectations low because September is typically a month that feels very full.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I am also going to give myself space to move more slowly into fall since this summer has been so busy.<\/p>\n\n\n I am wildly thankful that so many of you take the time to read my posts!<\/p>\n\n\n\n It would be so helpful if you can subscribe, like, comment, or share when you read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Every small interaction matters.<\/strong> This tells Substack that even though my publication is totally free, that you like and appreciate it. \ud83d\udc99Thank you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subscribe now<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udcd6 Chase The Fun: 100 Days to Discover Fun Right Where You Are<\/em><\/strong> by Annie F. Downs<\/a> \u2014 I love the reminder that fun isn\u2019t 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\u2019m hoping this book with help me lighten up a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n . . . . .<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udcd6 Tiny Habits<\/em><\/strong> by BJ Fogg<\/a> \u2014<\/em> Please come join us for our relaxed book club<\/a>! Niamh Celeste<\/a> and I are co-reading and posting our notes every Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019re just getting started so it\u2019s the perfect time to jump in!<\/p>\n\n\n\n When I\u2019m in the middle of back-to-school season I find returning to the basics a healthy practice for me. I don\u2019t always need to be finding new experts to make big changes. It is good to be reminded of books that have shaped me and grounded me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So I will be pulling some oldies-but-goodies from my shelf for this month. (This also helps my tight September budget.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udcd6 Raising Hell, Living Well<\/em><\/strong> – Freedom from Influence in a World Where Everyone Wants Something from You *Including Me<\/em><\/a> by Jessica Elefante. \u2014 Unfortunately, in the society that we live in today, we each have a responsibility to filter the flood of information coming into our homes. There is no longer a reasonable set of guidelines or rules being followed for the tsunami of content we come up against. In each chapter she systematically breaks down how we are influenced and the complicated invisible layers we are up against. By Part VI she shows us how to reconstruct our lives above the influences and in a way that aligns with our values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udcd6\ud83c\udfa7 Teaching from Rest<\/em><\/strong>: A Homeschooler\u2019s Guide to Unshakable Peace<\/em>by Sarah Mackenzie<\/a> \u2014 This book is one I often return to at the beginning of the school year. It is a bit of a reset for my parenting and helps me be more relationship focused in my planning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udcd6 Bird By Bird<\/em><\/strong>: Some Instructions on Writing and Life<\/em> by Anne Lamott<\/a> \u2014 Lamott writes with sharp wit and deep empathy. When I read her words I feel seen and understood. Her book reminds me that creative expression is a messy, step-by-step process, and that I don\u2019t have to get it right on the first try.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83c\udfa7Yesteryear<\/em><\/strong> by Caro Claire Burke \u2014 (satirical, psychological thriller) I\u2019m over half way into this book and I\u2019m having mixed feelings about it. So this is not a recommendation, just a note on what I\u2019m reading. I\u2019m definitely compelled to keep reading but its a bit disturbing. \ud83e\udd28 It reminds me of Educated<\/em><\/strong> by Tara Westover (a memoir about growing up isolated in a survivalist Mormon family in rural Idaho).<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udcd6 Falling Like Leaves<\/em><\/strong> by Misty Wilson<\/a> \u2014 (YA, fall rom-com) \u202fLara just finished this one and told me it\u2019s a fun must read. It\u2019s about a city girl stuck in a quaint small town while the town prepares for an annualfall festival. Very Gilmore Girls vibes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n .<\/p>\n\n\n\n I tend to be a mood reader when it comes to fiction and my TBR is very long. So I will update you with my recap post if I\u2019m able to get to more. For now, here are some favorites I recommend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n from my bookshelf:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udcd6 Marilla of Green Gables<\/em><\/strong>by Sarah McCoy<\/a> \u2014 (historical fiction) Set in 19th-century rural Avonlea on Prince Edward Island, the story begins with 13-year-old Marilla Cuthbert. It\u2019s all about her teen years and young adult life. I enjoyed the back story of the characters who I\u2019ve known for so long as adults in Anne Shirley\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n . . . . .<\/p>\n\n\n\n books that I have loved listening to aloud with my kids:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udcd6\ud83c\udfa7Where the Mountain Meets the Moon<\/em><\/strong> by Grace Lin (Book 1)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udcd6\ud83c\udfa7 When the Sea Turned to Silver<\/em><\/strong> by Grace Lin (Book 2)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n These are wonderous adventure novels with an epic journeys and memorable characters in the tradition of The Wizard of Oz.<\/em> And the main character has a helpful dragon by her side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n . . . . .<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udcd6\ud83c\udfa7The Vanderbeekers Series<\/em><\/strong> by Karina Yan Glaser<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Realistic children\u2019s fiction with a family with 5 kids living in a brownstone on 141st Street in Harlem, New York City. I love the family dynamics and neighborhood adventures in this series. You could easily read just the first book on it\u2019s own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Remember: Well written fiction can be enjoyed at any age. \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n\n\n\n Leave a comment<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s to a month of learning at a sustainable pace. May you find joy in the process, grace when your plans change, and delight in the unexpected rabbit trails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thanks for spending a little time with me here! I hope you leave with one new idea, one book to add to your list, or simply a reminder that it\u2019s never too late to keep learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subscribe for free to get Tuesday posts and my personal curriculum confessions & TBR lists\ud83d\udccb<\/p>\n\n\n grab your copy!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n .<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" books, projects, and tiny adventures I\u2019m saying yes to this month What is it about a new planner that is so wildly tempting to me?!? I don\u2019t even want to admit how many times this August I have been standing in a store, holding a planner and thinking of all the ways \u201cI could use… <\/p>\n\u2026.and since I\u2019m anti-gatekeeping I will share my free PDFs with you:<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nLet\u2019s jump into my plans!!<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nHere’s what’s anchoring my month:<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\ud83d\udc8ca quick note:<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nmy TBR and why it made the list:<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
[note: this post is NOT sponsored, I'm just sharing what I enjoy]<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nNon-fiction:<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nsome re-reads from my bookshelf:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nFiction:<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nSo, how about you??<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
What have you been reading lately?<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\ud83d\udcd2\ud83c\udf42 Happy Reading \u2014<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nDo you have my book <\/em><\/strong>y<\/em><\/strong>et?<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n