Chapter 1: The Decluttering Chronicles

I did it! The cabinet has been cleared out and somewhat organized. My mantra for this week’s undertaking (as it often is) is “keep it simple.”

I couldn't dedicate the necessary time and focus to this project. I had hoped for a visually appealing result, but sometimes, just finishing is what matters.

And…I must admit…

With some external pressures weighing on me, I almost took everything out just to stage a photo for this post. Ironically, the goal here is to confront the tough tasks head-on. A staged victory is not a real victory.

For those of you who thrive on organization, this might not truly count as decluttering. If you examine closely (though I don't know why you would), you’ll spot four nail clippers. That’s a battle for another day. The three sunscreens? I’m simply compensating for years of sunbathing in Florida when baby oil was the go-to “suntan lotion.”

In case you missed the “before” picture:

From chaotic to somewhat orderly. Progress!

Up next week…

Task #5:

The Dreaded 21-Day Homeschool Lesson Plan!

Ah, the world of homeschooling—where meticulous scheduling meets self-esteem growth and creative science projects.

I often search for the ultimate spreadsheet that will guide me in ensuring my child is learning effectively. Every 21 days, I meet with my Education Specialist (the most patient person imaginable) to demonstrate that we are adhering to some semblance of a “plan” that aligns with state standards.

I must present tangible proof. In writing. With work samples from the last learning period (or LP, as we say in the field).

Photo by S. Stephenson

I find this quite challenging.

“Plan ahead!” Of course, that’s the most sensible approach. Yet, here I am each month, facing three open grammar books (one for mechanics, another for spelling, and one for writing), trying to gauge what we can accomplish in the next three weeks. Is spelling considered part of grammar?

Now, add math into the mix. We have an online instructor two days a week (thankfully), but on the other days, it’s all on me. This often results in three-hour deep dives into concepts like adjacent and supplementary angles, along with another cup of coffee.

Next is Social Studies. We follow a self-paced online course for this subject, but they tend to throw in unexpected long-form writing assignments (like comparing Athens to Sparta, which sounds simple, yet is anything but). This disrupts our schedule by weeks.

Then we have Science. We attend a weekly class for this along with another self-paced module. My son’s science teacher hails from Canada and is absolutely fantastic.

This cycle continues for several more subjects, creating what feels like a slow form of torture designed solely to keep Victoria’s Secret in business as I click through emails to avoid tackling my tasks.

My guiding question is: How much knowledge can I impart without extinguishing his passion for learning?

Thank you for reading.

Do you have a task you’d like to take on next week? Share it in the comments, and I’ll be there to support you!

Here’s last week’s post about week #3:

2024: The Year I Got My Act Together

Task #3 — Seriously Starting Substack

Chapter 2: Pinterest and Productivity

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This video provides a comprehensive guide on how to leverage Pinterest for your business needs.