3 Ways I’m Planning for a Simplified School Year

I just recently finished reading Emily Ley’s, A Simplified Life and it definitely gave me a new perspective, especially for the upcoming school year. Last year was such a busy and anything-but-simple year for me with planing a wedding and teaching a new grade so I have truly spent the summer figuring out married life and adapting to a simpler pace. This book was a great read for doing just that and it inspired me to come up with my own three ways I want to simplify my life this school year.

Wake up early.
I’m not really a fan of waking up earlier, but this summer I have tried to change that and I’ve found that I get a lot more done when I do wake up early. This school year, it’s my goal to wake up even 30 minutes earlier than I need to be up to allow for time to take care of some household chores or maybe just to allow for extra time to get in the Word and have quiet time. By allowing this extra time in my day, I’ll simplify my morning by not being as rushed and I’ll ready my heart for the day ahead.
- Think about what time you usually wake up. Set your alarm for 30 minutes earlier.
- Place your Bible or quiet time devotional on your nightstand so it’s nearby for when you wake in the morning.
- Pick out an outfit for the next day the night before so that when you do wake 30 minutes earlier the next morning, you can spend your time doing other tasks rather than getting ready or worrying about running late.
Plan weeknight dinners
on Sunday.
Cameron and I have started practicing this habit just because it takes away the stress of last minute decisions and eating out as much. For the school year, having this plan will make our weeknights much easier because our schedules won’t necessarily allow time to go to the store last minute, etc.
- Sit down on Sunday afternoon and write out your dinners for the week. Take inventory of what you have already and what you’ll need to get at the store.
- Discuss with your spouse what your schedules are like that week and decide who will be home first and can get dinner started.
- Search Pinterest for some new, fresh meal ideas.
Adopt a “welcome home”
habit.
This is something I adopted without even realizing it, but it has turned out to be something that has really changed the atmosphere of my evening and I want to continue doing it during this school year. As soon as I get home from my day, I water our flowers and garden. This gives me time to transition from the work day to being home. It allows me to mentally give myself permission to be home and relax. It might sound silly, but I’m a very anxious person and I struggle with leaving work and worries with work exactly where they need to be - at work. So, this habit has given me a transition period to cool down from my day and it gives me ample time to really dig my feet into my own roots and gives me perspective into fueling my own personal space and life. It’s a habit that truly says, “welcome home.”
- Take note of the things around your home or your personal space, whether it be your dorm room, apartment, or childhood home, that truly make you happy and light your soul on fire. Really.
- Once you have determined those things, choose one to practice as your “welcome home” habit.
- When you arrive home after your day, do this one thing. Let it become a habit. Allow it to simplify your evening and transition your body and mind from your busy day to your evening with the ones you love.
- If you’re a busy mom or just have a lot of evening tasks, make this habit on-the-go. It doesn’t technically have to happen at home, but it should be a habit that simplifies your transition from work to evening. Maybe for you it needs to happen in the car after work or at the ballpark before you watch your kids play.

The school year is quickly approaching and so is the busy fall season. It’s so easy to become overwhelmed by all that we have to do and to feel as though our lives are anything but simple. I’m eager to practice these three things this school year as I work towards a busy, but successful and simple lifestyle. Whether you’re a college student, teacher, high schooler, or mom of all three, I hope you’ll take the time to choose three things that lead to a simpler school year and simpler life.

Xo,

Brittany Jeanine

3 Ways I’m Planning for a Simplified School Year

Think about what time you usually wake up. Set your alarm for 30 minutes earlier.

Place your Bible or quiet time devotional on your nightstand so it’s nearby for when you wake in the morning.

Pick out an outfit for the next day the night before so that when you do wake 30 minutes earlier the next morning, you can spend your time doing other tasks rather than getting ready or worrying about running late.

Sit down on Sunday afternoon and write out your dinners for the week. Take inventory of what you have already and what you’ll need to get at the store.

Discuss with your spouse what your schedules are like that week and decide who will be home first and can get dinner started.

Search Pinterest for some new, fresh meal ideas.

Take note of the things around your home or your personal space, whether it be your dorm room, apartment, or childhood home, that truly make you happy and light your soul on fire. Really.

Once you have determined those things, choose one to practice as your “welcome home” habit.

When you arrive home after your day, do this one thing. Let it become a habit. Allow it to simplify your evening and transition your body and mind from your busy day to your evening with the ones you love.