If you want to make a change in a behavior or habit, it is widely accepted that there are specific steps to take. These steps apply to pretty much any change – including accepting homeschooling. I bring this up today because I am seeing a lot of homeschool self-doubt.
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I have seen it everywhere I turn – homeschool self-doubt is in my friends, in facebook groups, in emails from readers… and in myself. It seems that nobody is immune.
My hope is that with a clear understanding of what is involved in making a change, and accepting that choosing to homeschool is a “change” from the “norm,” you will be better prepared to homeschool confidently.
Furthermore, homeschooling minimally requires a changed mindset compared to traditional homeschooling, so this post should hit home with anyone who is seeking to create the homeschool that they imagine – whatever that may be.
The five basic steps to making a lasting and successful change are:
- Beliefs
- Value
- Knowledge
- Action
- Environment
I’ll break down each of these just a bit, so that you get the general idea:
Beliefs: What do you believe about the change, yourself, and the people involved?
Value: Why do you value this change? What personal values does it support?
Knowledge: What must you learn in order to be able to effectively make the change?
Action: What will you do to establish the change? What steps will you take?
Environment: How can your environment support the change?
Each step in the process builds on the ones before it. If you have a weakness in one area, it will hinder your ability to make a lasting change. If any one of these steps is missing, a change will feel difficult, it may fizzle out, or it may not even happen at all. Each step relies on the ones before it to create a strong foundation so changes last – whether that is a change in mindset (hello, minimalist homeschooling!), or a change in habit.
Success is most likely when you can get each of these five pieces working toward your goal. And, I will argue, that change is most confident when each step is honored.
Make a Change
I write a lot about changing to a Minimalist Homeschool in order to create a clear, confident, and meaningful homeschool. Homeschooling minimally is a stretch for a lot us who have lived with a “do it all” mentality for way too long.
As a result, homeschooling minimally is a change. And, no surprise, it is a change that benefits from those five steps. However, you can apply these steps to any change.
Now, I wrote a book about how to create a minimal homeschool, and it covers most of these steps in order to empower people to create their simple homeschool.
But, guys, I feel terrible! I totally forgot to include a critical step for changing your homeschool, and your mindset.
The 10th Minimalist Homeschooling Mindset hack in the book is: Clarity and confidence come from honest reflection about personal values.
Is it really that easy? Many times. But sometimes, it still isn’t enough.
I was thinking about this hack as I received an email from a homeschool mom struggling with self-doubt; and another posted about her self-doubt on the facebook group. I realized that I see the same questions (in different contexts) appear all over homeschooling facebook groups, and surface in homeschool get-togethers: “Am I screwing things up?” “Why does doubt keep creeping in?”
>Read More: How to Homeschool Simply Amid Fears of Everything You SHOULD be Doing
Let’s go on a little trip backwards…
Did you notice that values are SECOND on the list of steps to make a change?
I typically ask people to start their journey toward minimalist homeschooling by identifying the value that they see in homeschooling minimally, and then identifying their personal homeschool values. Many times as we wonder, knowing whether something is in alignment with our values is enough to give us confidence. I rested easy thinking that this step would prevent homeschool self-doubt.
Oh My! There is a step required to make a change that comes even before identifying values and taking action. It is another step that is indispensable for confident homeschooling. So, while I do believe there is truth in that mindset hack, I want to use this post as an opportunity to remedy my omission.
Today I am going to suggest that you start your minimalist homeschooling journey in a different place, especially if you struggle with homeschool self-doubt.
Let’s Get To Work
At this point, it is time to go back to the beginning and do the hardest work: considering our beliefs that underlie our confidence in this whole homeschooling adventure, and minimalist homeschooling. Here are some questions to ponder or offer up in prayer if you struggle with homeschool self-doubt:
- What do I believe about homeschooling? What fears and anxiety do I have about homeschooling? What do I believe about minimalist homeschooling?
- What is my belief about my ability to homeschool successfully? And, my ability to homeschool minimally?
- What are my beliefs about my children and their ability to thrive in our homeschool? What are my fears and anxieties about their homeschool experience or success? What do I believe about minimally homeschooling with my children?
Finally, make a list all of your strengths that benefit your homeschool. If you’re struggling, ask those closest to you to help with this list.
I have included a free printable with even more questions. It’s designed for the most stubborn cases of homeschool self-doubt, and I sincerely hope that it will help you put all self-doubt behind you… at least for a good while ;).
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You might also like Christian Minimalist Homeschooling: 55 verses to support minimalism, and your homeschool.
I have also included a quick guide to reassuring yourself. You can print and mount this one inside your planner, or on the inside of the cabinet door that holds your coffee mugs. Here are the quick and dirty questions:
- Are my children happy?
- Am I happy?
- Are my children progressing in their education?
- Am I meeting our goals?
- Are we adhering to our values?
- What are we prioritizing?
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I have to tell you that homeschool self-doubt (or any self-doubt) is completely normal. It does no good to beat yourself up about being doubtful, on top of whatever it is you’re doubtful about! My hope is that this line of self-reflection will help you get to the bottom of the story – to find out exactly which beliefs are creating that doubt. Addressing the cause of doubt will be an effective way to remedy it.
What do you do when you struggle with homeschool self-doubt? Join the conversation below.
Once you’re ready to make the change to minimalist homeschooling, may I suggest that you get
the book – a step-by-step guide to designing your own confident and meaningful homeschool? The book will walk you through your values, and give you the knowledge you need to take action and create a supportive environment for an effective and simple homeschool.
Wishing you all of the simple things,
Zara
Read the previous post in this series: Be Awesome, Don’t Be It ALL.
