Hey there,
I’ve been talking to more than a few people lately about a certain feeling that they’re all feeling right now — a sort-of malaise, a tiredness, a …weariness of all that’s currently on their plate. It’s commonly showing up as a simple case of the don’t-want-tos. What’s interesting is that these people aren’t all the same age: some have been moms in their forties (like me), some have been highschoolers, some have been moms in the early stages of homeschooling, some have been college students. The only thing they have in common is that their routine adheres, whether they like it or not, to the rhythm of a school year.
This is what I’ve been telling these folks, because I’m right there with them: Remember that this feeling is normal this time in the school year. We all are ready to throw in the towel. This meme is more true right now than it ever is. It’s that mile 20 in the marathon that I hear is so hard (hear, mind you; not from any semblance of personal experience) — where you’ve already gone so far, and you’re relatively close to the finish line, but you’re not so close that you don’t still have to work really hard. That’s where we’re at in the school year, whether you’re a college student, a mom homeschooling a first grader, or anywhere in-between.
Give yourself lots of grace right now. Try to pare down to the essentials so that you’re able to focus on only what matters for the next few weeks. Set up your environment so you aren’t prone to distractions (even things that aren’t normally distractions but somehow are at the moment). Plan small rewards along the way to keep you motivated (keep those coffee dates with friends). And plan a bigger celebration for actually crossing that finish line, because it will be here before we know it!
…This is what I’m telling myself these days, anyway. If you’re in my boat — cheers, mate. 🥂
5 Quick Things ☕️
1. New episode of A Drink With a Friend! I talk with Rachel Canto, author of Pretty Good Catholic, about the current dating scene and …well, what to do about it. I read her book in one sitting on a flight a few months ago, and I knew I wanted to chat with her. I’m obviously not in this demographic, but plenty of people I know are (including my daughter), so her thoughts are chock-full of sage, practical advice — and not just for Catholics. Rachel has wisdom beyond her years!
2. I live in a region where it’s been warm for weeks now (last Sunday excepting) and the poppies are absolutely exploding everywhere in our neighborhood, so this was a lovely, poetic reminder of what it’s like right now in other not-so-terribly-far regions — from Echoes from an Old Hollow Tree: “Let the snow fall one more time. Let the firewood stack shrink a bit further. Let us be shaken from sleep by our children and stirred by the reflection of moonlight off a snow covered field. The world is waking, the green is coming, and like the young angler with cold fingers and steady heart, we cannot be denied our spring.”
3. Even though I’m not in the babies and toddlers parenting stage anymore (😭), I found myself reading this entire thing because it was so darn good (and it made me miss those early years!). Why you should never, ever give a child under two a screen, AND what to do instead (it’s not a guilt trip, pinky-swear) — from Ordinary Animals: “Phones and tablets don’t make kids calm or happy. They simply stun and overwhelm them into a daze. It looks like engagement, but it’s more like they’re in a trance. And that is really, really bad for their developing brains. Plus, those few minutes here and there add up. Before you know it, it’s the default for every fuss, fidget, or tricky moment. Before you know it, they’ve crept into every part of your child’s day—diaper changes, mealtimes, bedtime, car rides, stroller walks, grocery stores, restaurants.”
4. I was sent by several people this definitive list of 100 classic novels to read before you die from Liza Libes, and I hesitated to click on it because lists like this usually just make me angry. This one, however, was more interesting to me — not because I agree with everything on her lists (I don’t), but because it’s given me something to think about. …Maybe one day I’ll make my own list (but I doubt I’ll publish it — do you see how angry people get in the comments after posts like these? Yeesh).
5. And finally, a handy, easy-to-read list of 20 heresies (the vehicle of how I just learned this week that Matt Fradd has a Substack newsletter).
Currently Reading, Watching, Listening 📺
Surprised by Oxford, currently on Prime (I’ve been sick this week so I actually watched a movie… I’d read this book awhile back and enjoyed it, and had been meaning to watch this. It’s not perfect, but it’s charming!)
Quotable 💬
“I insist that the object of all true education is not to make men carpenters, but to make carpenters men.”
― W.E.B. Dubois
If one, but ONLY one, could fall into the fiery pits of Mordor, which one would you choose?🌋
Any of these options are easily justifiable, but I’m with the majority here — Tik-Tok is doing just too much damage to our culture, security, and brains. But honestly, the rest aren’t far behind in that department.
I would argue a close second for Instagram. I know people think that if they just tweak it to work in their favor it’s relatively harmless, but y’all… That place is a breeding ground for the worst of vices. Avoid it like the plague and watch your life immediately improve. I haven’t been there in years and genuinely haven’t missed one thing.
Tik-Tok: 53%
X/Twitter: 27.7%
Facebook: 15%
Instagram: 4%
Find next week’s poll here.
A New Continuing Ed Resource 🤔
Joshua Gibbs is my go-to voice on education, but not just as a fellow teacher — also as a lifelong learner. I'm convinced we all need to take this posture, even when (perhaps especially when) we’re in the thick of parenting. It’s good to model learning to our kids, yes, but it’s also just good to learn.
You may remember my chat with Joshua from a previous podcast episode — I’ve heard from several of y’all that it was a game-changing one for you. I was delighted earlier this week when I got an email from him (I’m on his email list; it wasn’t directly to me) letting me know that his previous online classes are all now available for anyone as archived recordings! I immediately purchased ‘Plato’s Republic for Beginners’ as a summer continuing ed project for myself.
I recommend learning from Joshua if you can — it's well worth it! And each class is really affordable (each one includes 14 one-hour video sessions).
June 3-13, 2025 🎒
Join my family and me as we amble down the Rhine River this summer — come along as we witness Cologne Cathedral, the Abbey of St. Hildegard of Bingen, the Gutenberg Bible, and beyond:
Quick Links 🔗
Question(s) For You to Ponder… 🤔
How are your “shoulds” getting in the way of what’s actually best?
Have a great weekend,
- Tsh
p.s. - A new Wes Anderson film!
I agree about Instagram. I saw what a bad effect it was having on me, and when I was preparing to get married 3 years ago, I got off it (about a month before) and haven't looked back since!
The end of the school year is bringing on even more exhaustion for me with all the anti-education and anti-immigrant actions happening all over the country, as well as many others in my community. Balancing the “shoulds” feels much more heavy when it involves what I should do to be looking out for my fellow neighbors and students being targeted by this administration- they are very scared right now. Trying hard to make time for rest and balance so I can show up for my students everyday.