As a homeschool parent for over 10 years, I’ve seen the New Year’s resolution hype play out year after year. Big promises, sweeping changes, and ambitious goals that often fizzle out by February.
This year, I’m choosing something different: Peaceful Priorities.
What are Peaceful Priorities?
They’re the opposite of resolutions that demand “more” and “faster.” Instead, they focus on finding peace, leaning into where we thrive, and simplifying our days. For us, this means trusting God and embracing what truly works for our unique family dynamic.
Keep scrolling to see how that looks IRL for us as we settle into our new life in Florida:
For Our Son
Our son’s passion for baseball has shaped a big part of our decisions this year.
He’s now attending a sports academy near our new home, which combines his love for baseball with academic classes.
He trains each morning, bikes home for lunch, and then heads back to campus for his afternoon classes.
The best part? We’ve reclaimed our evenings. 👏🏻 Back in Idaho, we were constantly shuttling him to evening practices which made it difficult to sit down to dinner each night as a family.
Now, evenings are family time again. This shift is a gift—less hustle, more heart.
For Our Daughter
For our daughter, Peaceful Priorities mean stepping away from activities I think she should be doing and leaning more into opportunities that align with her natural gifts and goals.
Here are some of her new ventures:
Entrepreneurial Community: Hands-on learning in activities such as auto mechanics, holistic gardening, carpentry, crafting and more.
Animal Care: Monthly in-person opportunities to explore her love for animals here at the local marina.
Exploring Together: Visiting local gardens, nature preserves, and animal sanctuaries for enrichment and connection. We buy yearly passes so we can visit anytime.
Back to the Basics: Learning how to make homemade meals, doing household chores together and the art of homemaking.
Instead of overwhelming her schedule, we’re focusing on experiences that inspire her creativity and growth from a young girl into a young lady.
For Me
Peaceful Priorities extend to my personal life, too. Here’s what I’m focusing on this year:
Non-Numerical Book Challenges: No pressure to hit a number—just reading for pleasure and growth. This includes exploring more Greek classics and memoirs: After loving Meditations, The Wide Wide Sea and The Art of Living last year, I’m diving deeper.
Creativity & Rest: Prioritizing nourishment for body and soul. Not feeling guilty when I work on new projects because it is part of who I am and what brings me joy as an entrepreneur!
Not Complaining: A tough but transformative challenge, especially after a cross-country move.
Daily Planning: Writing my hourly schedule the night before to combat decision fatigue each and stay on track.
These small, intentional choices are helping me find peace.
A Little Extra Help
One of the most freeing decisions I made for this upcoming year is hiring a math tutor for our daughter.
Through Grade Potential, we are paired with someone who truly enjoys the subject, with the goal of helping bring joy back to this subject for our daughter.
We still use Saxon Math because I believe it’s a fantastic option especially for those older grades, but having a tutor to guide her once a week will help alleviate any strain in our relationship.
Speaking over the phone with Grade Potential was seamless, (they are super kind!!) and their flexibility allows us to meet at home, the library, or even a coffee shop.
Sometimes, letting go of doing it ALL ourselves is the best choice we can make for ourselves and our relationships.
Our family always takes life one season at a time.
Homeschooling, home life, and personal goals all ebb and flow, and we’re learning to adapt as needed.
Instead of chasing what society tells us we need to do, we’re focusing on what brings peace, joy, and growth to our family.
As we step into this new year, I’m reminded again that thriving isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what matters most.
How are you approaching the new year?
Are you setting traditional resolutions or leaning into your own version of Peaceful Priorities?
I’d love to hear from you!