Resetting Rhythms | Gearing Up for a New Homeschool Year

After a slower, more relaxed summer, it’s normal to feel a bit scattered heading into a new school year. But with a little intentional planning and grace, we can build peaceful rhythms that bless our homes and anchor our days in truth.

Why Rhythms Matter

Here's what I love about rhythms vs routine: it's a flow that can ebb and shift, but not confine or condemn. I'm a planner by nature- though, if I'm being honest, a lot of my "planner/perfectionist" tendencies have faded since homeschooling. (Still trying to decide if that's a good or bad thing, ha!) I quickly learned, as we shifted from public school to homeschooling, that planning every aspect of every day was not realistic. The Lord humbled me quickly, reminding me that I may make my plans, but He is orchestrating our days. I'd quickly feel defeated when the day didn't go as planned, think it equated to failure on my part, and then question and doubt the whole thing. Relaxing into rhythms over a perfect routine allowed grace and margin for the daily unexpected. Routines feel rigid, and my goal in our homeschool is not rigid productivity, but peace and purpose.

Reestablishing a Morning Flow

I'm not sure about you, but we relax and let loose over the summer. Though our weeks and days may fill up quickly, I still like to slow down where possible. My favorite form of this is waking naturally, taking my sweet time as I sip my coffee, and not rushing to breeze through my Bible reading before I move onto the day. Truly, my morning flow doesn't change in order, just pace. As we prepare to shift from summer to school, I'll begin to pick up the pace and move my wake time back up. This is a great time to reevaluate what is working well in your morning and what needs to change to maintain peaceful mornings in the new school year. 

Evening Prep to Ease Tomorrow's Stress

A smooth day doesn't just depend on a stress free morning. Taking some time the night before, even just 10 min., can be a game changer! I'll often do a quick reset after the kids have gone to bed, and I find that it helps slow my mind and "close out" the current day, while helping me to mentally prepare for the next. A few things I do: change laundry over, tidy the kitchen (who really likes to wake up and step into a messy kitchen?! Talk about overstimulation!), set up coffee, pull out any frozen meat I may need to thaw for meals the next day, set out curriculum, etc. 

Anchors of the Day

Because we know there will be plot twists in our days and plans will fall apart or change direction, I like to have anchors in my day that keep me grounded. For me personally, that looks like quiet Bible and prayer time first thing- even before checking my phone! Midday, or early to mid-afternoon really, it's an afternoon coffee and few minutes to sit and unplug. Just like our little one's needed naps or quiet time, this homeschooling mama needs a few minutes to not be productive and sit in silence. In the evening, my anchor is a hot shower and personal care- skincare, journaling, a cup of chamomile tea, and a few pages of a good book. 

How to Stay Flexible When Life Happens

Pastor Chuck Smith once said, "Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not break." Amen! Every time I tried to plan my days down to the minute, control every outcome, and micromanage every detail, I'd feel like I was about to snap. Because it NEVER went the way I wanted. The Lord is gracious, and funny, as He helps me to learn to hold my plans with open hands. And the beauty is, when our hands our open we allow Him to remove what isn't necessary and bring in what is. I've learned I don't actually always know best! But, He does, and life is so much better when I surrender it to Him. The opportunities are exciting, and the moments more meaningful. 

If you’re craving a little structure to help you reset, I’ve created a simple printable planner to help you map out your morning and evening rhythms as you transition into the school year. You can [download it here].