I have fallen in love with the Edit Your Life podcast recently, and I listened to an episode on minimalism (LOL that will never be me) that contained the advice to curate a love list. This was in the context of shopping online-- like, instead of immediately buying something, put it on your love list and see if you still want it or if the act of creating a list satisfies your shopping urge.
But! I love the idea of a love list (kind of like Nicole's favourite things or Elisabeth's happy things Friday) each month where I reflect on the micro delights (another Christine Koh term) that got me through.
Here's what I loved in September:
1. Kodiak Nuts and Seeds Oatmeal: A lot of people said they eat oats and whole grains to get their fiber, and I do, too, but I find myself wanting most of my fiber to come from fruits and veggies because you gotta eat A LOT of whole grains to hit the 30 gram goal, which means there's less room for eating other stuff. Enter this awesome instant oatmeal with 14 grams of protein (more if you eat with 1/2 cup Fairlife milk) and 4 g fiber. Add an apple, and you have a nutritionally dense and super filling meal. The other day, I also mixed in peanut butter, and for under 500 calories, I was full until dinner time. (24 grams of protein and 10 grams of fiber)
2. JOGGING: YOU GUYS. I LOVE TO JOG. And I am in good enough shape to just lace up my shoes and do it. It's wild.
3. Sunset on the prairie: We are soaking up every single second of the most delightful fall weather imaginable, including outside play time after school and after we do dance and dive drop off.
Hi! Fellow PhD here with latent desires to go back to school to teach small kids. Hearing you say it out loud makes me feel less ridiculous. So, thanks!
ReplyDeleteYes, also fellow PhD here thinking of going back to school to be a therapist. I feel ridiculous but like, why can't we change careers!!
DeleteMy mom was a special ed elementary school teacher (in the inner-city Milwaukee Public School District) for her entire career. I feel like I should say she IS a teacher, even though she's retired and 75 years old, because it truly feels like one of those careers that is absolutely a "calling" and I don't think she will ever stop being a teacher. She still visibly lights up anytime she gets the chance to teach, work with or help kids in any way, etc. Sometimes I'm envious because I'm not sure I've ever felt quite that level of passion about my own career! I think if it's calling you to, why not?! You'd be amazing.
ReplyDeleteIt is hilarious to me that you are loving jogging after railing at Ben for starting so easily. And now look at you!
ReplyDeleteI was running for a few weeks and then my knee gave out. BOO. But I will be walking each day in October and I'm really looking forward to that intentionality. My exercise mojo has been missing for months.
You would be AMAZING in early-childhood ed, Sarah!
I can absolutely see you loving early education! And I don't know if this is weird, but I'm so vicariously proud of you for starting jogging. I'm glad you love it!
ReplyDeleteThis list is fantastic, Sarah. You love jogging!!!!! Minnie's artwork is adorable. I think you'd make a fabulous early ed teacher.
ReplyDeletei love Christine Koh! And i will check out that oatmeal! (I do oatmeal a couple days a week but it is my 'too low in protein' breakfast i just eat anyway bc i like it). also i can't believe you just threw that major career pivot in there, haha! you would be awesome i bet!
ReplyDeletealso i am jealous of your running but i can be happy that i got to run the many thousands of miles that i did. now it's your turn, lol.
ReplyDeleteI do often make love lists and not go through with the shopping part - I leave it and either lose the urge to check out or forget about it.
ReplyDeleteI tried running years back and I did like the moving fast part, but my left knee has never been the same.
We are having beautiful summer weather, which is nice for some. I would really like some actual fall before it's winter.
Great list! I usually put half a scoop of protein powder in my oats to boost the protein. I love that you're loving all ages and stages (yes, kindergarten is great and big kids are great!) AND- you know I love the running!!! Is there a Turkey Trot in your future?
ReplyDeleteMy friend was a Kindergarten teacher and mostly loved it. Some years she said she got a group of asshole kids, but most years she love love loved them. Hopefully you wouldn’t have the AI issues you have teaching college, right?
ReplyDeleteThat oatmeal looks good.
This is a great list. I love big kids too. I’m interested in your oatmeal but guessing it’s not a GF option. Teaching kindergarten would be such a switch up, wow. I bet you would be amazing at it though. You’re always thinking of great ways to let kids be kids and be creative. I tried to tell myself I might need to buy something green to wear to ND this weekend for our tailgate. ANC I stopped myself. I need no clothes. That’s as close as I got to a love list. ;)
ReplyDeleteI bought some gluten free Bob’s Red Mill Protein oats at Costco. It has 10g of protein and 6 grams of fiber! And the only ingredient is oats; there is no protein powder added to it.
ReplyDeleteI’m your age and just pivoted to teaching K-2 music last year and I love it! I’m a big fan of the mid-life career shift. I hopefully have 20 years of my work in my future. It’s good for my mind and soul to learn and grow in something new. Plus now that my kids are leaving these young ages it’s nice to know that I still get to have Littles in my life.
ReplyDeleteLove me a love list. And love me some Christine Koh and her podcast.
ReplyDeleteI am not leaving my high school but I sometimes wonder what would happen if I'm asked to teach... elementary for example?... I've taught middle, high school and I've also taught higher ed.
My September loves are:
a new planner book with blue cloth cover
exercise during my kids' activities i.e. jiu jitsu and piano
our new, very clean kitchen
an overall feeling of being back at work
paychecks rolling in again
fall jazz playlist on Spotify
cooler mornings
the sound of leaves falling on our front lawn