Minimalist Homeschooling Mindset Hack #5 – Change your mindset to remove the mental barriers to minimalism

Can you and I talk frankly with one another about the minimalist homeschooling mindset? Grab something to drink, and stick with me for a bit. I think you’ll like where this goes…

This blog post is part of the Minimalist Homeschooling Mindset Series, in which we dive a little further into the minimalist homeschooling mindset hacks that are in the book (the book puts it all into practice to create your simple homeschool schedule and lessons).

Minimalist Homeschooling Mindset Hack #5 is “Assume the best case scenario. Evaluate the worst case scenario.”

Remove Mental Barriers to Minimalism

A couple of weeks ago, I talked about how homeschooling decisions do not need to be emotional (or as emotional as we sometimes make them). I don’t want to beat a dead-horse, here, but I firmly believe that much of our anxiety, stress, worry, over-thinking and upset comes from how we think about the things around us. Sometimes, what we need most is a fresh perspective. (This is why sitting down over coffee with a friend, calling our spouse during a stressful time, listening to Sunday’s gospel message, or downloading a great podcast can be so very transforming.)

Today’s mindset post is all about, well, changing your mindset. Assume the best case scenario. Evaluate the worst case scenario.

This mindset hack is all about adding some rationality to our emotions.

We often fear that we will miss something, need something, waste something, offend someone… just fill in the blank with your latest fear.

But it is nonsense, I tell ya. Usually it is, anyway. (I’m sure plenty of you will leave me great examples in the comments about times when it is not nonsense… but I’m going to maintain that our anxiety is a product of our perspective 90% of the time.)

If you can step back and analyze your thoughts through the framework of best case scenarios and worst case scenarios, fears are often proven false, highly unlikely, or completely manageable.

Please, don’t ask yourself whether you need it.  Do not ask yourself if you love it.  And there is no need to consider whether it sparks joy…

Here is a blissfully minimalist alternative for all of us who can imagine how we could love or need just about anything:

1.  Am I definitely using/doing this in the next year?

2. If not, what is the worst that could happen if I donate/skip this?

3. And, if the worst happens, how would I manage that?

I have examples…

Here’s a homeschooling example: It is not a priority for my fourth grader to learn all of the state capitals, but I fear that he will need that information. Best case scenario: My child won’t need the state capitals for anything significant. Worst case scenario: My child does need to know the state capitals for the next standardized test, in which case I can teach them to my child over the course of a week or two.

And a second example from decluttering: I really don’t have space for all of our dishes and pans that we hardly use, but I fear that I will need them if I ever decide to throw a party in the future. Best case scenario: I won’t be throwing any large parties in the future. Worst case scenario: I will throw a party after I’ve donated all my extras, and then I will have to use disposable trays and dishes, borrow some real trays and dishes, or go buy what I need either second-hand or new.

From either of these analyses, I can now make a more practical decision that is not rooted in fear, but instead, relies on a fair assessment. I’m not telling you what decision to make, I’m just saying the decision-making gets a whole lot simpler when you assess and evaluate.

The challenge I pose to you is this:

Take a good look at your thoughts as you go through your homeschool, or your decluttering this week. Make it a habit to question your fears, your anxiety, your “shoulds,” and your over-thinking.

I’ll play the part of your friend who offers a new perspective, and a few words of encouragement. To do so, I have a bunch of great quotes below; they are all about looking on the other side of situations. Download the ones you need most, and then make sure to tell me how they have helped you!

I am also going to link to a great site below that I highly recommend for anyone who really does struggle with anxiety and overthinking… check it out, and try to “do the work.”

Wishing you all the simple things!
Zara

Please make sure to comment on your favorite, and which one changed your perspective the most!

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us… –Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Today, I choose joy.

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To everything there is a season, a purpose to everything under heaven. Ecc 3:1

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Have patience with all things but first with yourself. Never confuse your mistakes with your value as a human being. – St. Frances de Sales

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Comparison is the thief of joy.

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Worry is a misuse of your imagination.

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The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking. –Albert Einstein

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I used to believe that prayer changes things, but now I know that prayer changes us, and we change things. –St. Teresa of Calcutta

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The best thing to hold on to in life is each other.

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It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities. –Albus Dumbledore

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Do the best that you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better. –Maya Angelou

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There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind. –C.S. Lewis

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There is always another option, another way, a new perspective. –Zara 😉

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If you’re ready to declutter your homeschool and purge your priorities, schedule, resources, lessons, and space, the book Minimalist Homeschooling offers a step-by-step guide to do just that.

I’d love to hear your thoughts or favorite inspirational quotes. What inspires your minimalist homeschooling mindset?  Won’t you share with us in the comments?

Byron Katie has a program she calls “The Work.”  I highly recommend it for those who want to stop anxiety in its tracks once and for all. This isn’t an affiliate link.

I have a Pinterest board of inspirational quotes. Come “follow” me there, if you’d like some more encouragement!

One more thing… there is a thriving group of Minimalist Homeschoolers over on Facebook. We’re all on this journey towards a minimalist homeschooling mindset together.  We hope to see you there!

Wishing you all the simple things,
Zara