The end of summer always sneaks up on me

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Hey Reader,

One minute, we're in that slower summer rhythm that has later mornings, vacations, kids coming and going, and the school calendar appears!

Practice schedules. School supply lists. New routines. Earlier mornings. Activities starting back up.

Somewhere in the middle of all of that, I start thinking:

Okay. I need to get myself together.

But here's what I've been thinking lately:

Maybe we don't need to get everything together.

Maybe we just need to know what matters most right now and figure out how we're actually going to make it happen. It is time to prioritize while still enjoying where we are in all of the chaos that is back-to-school.

Try WOOP instead of adding another giant to-do list.

I recently pulled out an old mini Happy Planner that I used to use as a creative space.

I love planners, but I've learned something over the years:

The best planner isn't necessarily the prettiest one or the one with the most pages. It's the one that helps you think.

That's why I checked out the WOOP method.

WOOP stands for:

W — Wish​
What do I want to accomplish?

O — Outcome​
What would happen if I accomplished it? How would I feel?

O — Obstacle​
What could realistically get in my way?

P — Plan​
What am I going to do when that obstacle shows up?

The last part is where WOOP gets really useful, because we're not planning in a fantasy version of our lives. We're planning for real life.

Let's say your wish is simple.

Maybe your wish is:

Get ready for the new school year without feeling completely overwhelmed.

Outcome:​
If I accomplish this, I'll feel prepared and calmer going into the first week of school.

Obstacles:​
The kids need things.
My work schedule is busy.
Someone has practice.
Someone forgot something.
I'm tired.
I keep putting things off because there are too many decisions to make.

Now we make a plan.

Instead of saying, "I need to get everything ready," choose a few concrete actions.

Maybe:

1. Make the school supply list.
2. Schedule one shopping block.
3. Check everyone's schedules.
4. Choose a backup time in case the first one gets interrupted.
5. Handle one small task each day instead of saving everything for the weekend.

That's WOOP.

You're not just identifying what you want. You're preparing for the version of life that might get in the way.

I think that's especially important for us in midlife.

Sometimes we're trying to build something new for ourselves while still taking care of everything we've always taken care of.

So when the plan gets interrupted, it doesn't necessarily mean you failed at the plan.

Sometimes it means the plan didn't account for your actual life.

Here's to finishing summer intentionally and stepping into the new school year without making it harder than it needs to be.

Be well, be focused, be you.

Find your calm in the chaos,

Shanna​
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I wrote a journal! You have spent years making sure everyone else feels enough. This journal is 30 days of putting all of that effort towards yourself. It has guided prompts. Check it out here!​