The Week Before School: Planning For Health and Rest

The planning is always fun and tidy.  Now in this week before school, I find myself questioning a lot of my choices and praying with held breath that my insufficiencies would be covered over.  That I would humble myself and release any improper idolization of control.  

I think many are entering this year bone-weary and with a tinge of anxiety.  It's been a huge year for our family.  At this point last year, we were still living in France, trying to find a house in America.  When we came to America, we jumped with both feet forward and haven't really stopped moving since.  And that's been healthy and great for our family and farm.  But I'm also finding myself longing for a tiny breath.  

Since I won't be getting that any time soon, I need to build specific margins and habits into my day that add health and rest to my life.  Here are a couple ways I'm attempting to do that.  

1. Mindful movement.  

For the month of September, my habit I'm working on is mindful movement.  I don't have a step tracker any more, but I know the distance that I need to walk in order to accomplish 10,000 steps.  

For the month of September, my goal is to be intentionally active at a higher intensity for one 40-minute session each day.  I would like to work up to two 40-minute spells of moderate activity a day, but I need my plan to be sustainable.  Currently I'm focusing on "power" walking while having the toddler in a backpack (which provides quite a workout!)  We have an elliptical machine which I will begin using as soon as snow is consistently on the ground.

2. Paper planning.  

I've been a computer planner for years, because it's so easy to copy and paste something we didn't get to.  Using a paper planner forces me to be more mindful of how much I am scheduling out for the kids and whether or not it is useful or valuable to try to force finish.  

But in my paper planner, I've also created sections for myself to remind me of my goals and intentions.  I've added a scripture for each week, a section for weekly prayer requests, a place to write my current habit for myself, and spaces to write things I'm grateful for and joys for the week, as well as space to reflect about things I may need to think about or change. In the monthly areas I set goals and list any superfluous tasks I need to accomplish.  (i.e. in October, we'll need to mow a path around the areas that we need fenced next year for the pigs and potential sheep.)  

Also in my homeschool planner is space for a menu plan, which is a challenge for me.  I don't plan on making any huge dietary plans for the month of September for our family, but in October, I hope to add some nutritional goals for myself as well as our family into practice.  

These are just a few ways I'm trying to build health and rest into my days. I'll share more as I develop them or think of them.