Powerful tool for dealing with self-doubt

Hey Reader,

These thoughts can circle for days without getting any clearer.

They create a sense that something needs to change, but they don't tell you what the actual problem is.

It's tempting to make a large change in search of relief.

A new curriculum might seem easier than identifying why the current lesson feels difficult.

A completely new schedule might feel more promising than examining one consistently frustrating part of the day.

You may ultimately decide that a larger change is necessary.

But, first, make the reason visible.

Try this today

Choose one decision you are questioning and complete this sentence:

I am considering changing __________ because __________.

Try to move beyond general words such as “bad,” “hard,” or “not working.”

For example:

• The lessons regularly take longer than the time we have available.
• My child understands the material but becomes overwhelmed by the amount of writing.
• Our co-op day leaves everyone too tired for the schedule I planned afterward.
• I keep avoiding this resource because it requires more preparation than I can sustain.

Now complete one more sentence:

One thing I want to protect because it is working is __________.

This second sentence matters.

When we focus entirely on friction, we can accidentally dismantle something useful while trying to fix something else.

Perhaps the curriculum’s writing load is too heavy, but its stories create wonderful conversations. Maybe your co-op day is exhausting, but your child has formed a meaningful friendship. Perhaps the schedule needs breathing room, but its simple morning anchor is working beautifully.

Naming what you want to protect gives you a better foundation for any future decision.

And if you identified the real reason without immediately buying, abandoning, or rebuilding anything, celebrate that too.

Noticing before reacting is progress.

Christy's Corner 🐝

Finish both sentences:

“I’m considering changing this because…” and

“One thing I want to protect is…”

You can reply with your answers if saying them out loud, well...typing them...would help you see the decision more clearly.

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