Feeling stretched thin? Here’s how camping and small rituals help me stay grounded.
If you’re homeschooling your kids while working full-time—even remotely—you know what it feels like to constantly juggle. Add a breastfeeding baby to the mix, and life can feel like a beautiful whirlwind. That’s my current season. Oh, and did I mention our attention-loving fur baby?
Over the years, I’ve learned that intentionally slowing down is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. A few years ago, almost on a whim, my husband suggested we get a camper. I’m more of the outdoorsy one, but he’s always up for a good project. We were lucky enough to buy a well-loved, secondhand pop-up camper from a family who had outgrown it—and just like that, our slower-living journey began.
Why Camping Works for Us
Camping has quickly become a favorite tradition for our kids and a meaningful way for us to reconnect as a family. With no laundry piles staring at us or emails pinging during dinner, we’re able to do simple things:
- Cook slowly and lovingly
- Talk with one another without multitasking
- Let our kids run wild with glow sticks and giggles under the stars
And while camping isn’t “about” homeschooling, it’s surprisingly full of teachable moments—starting a fire, meeting new people, or visiting historic parks.
If You’re Feeling Burned Out…
You don’t have to own a camper to slow down. Here are a few small rituals I’ve built into our full life that make a big difference:
- Quarterly book club
Even if it’s just you and one friend. My best friend and I have similar taste in books, and we set easy goals. Don’t overcomplicate it—just start with one book you’re both curious about. - Monthly tea parties
The treats are a big hit with my kids, and for me, the real joy is putting on a vintage outfit and creating something special. It’s a reset button disguised as play. - Solo recharge night
Once a month, my husband takes the lead with bedtime, and I get to have an evening that’s 100% mine: a warm bath, a favorite dessert, and a nostalgic movie.
To quote my favorite literary heroine, Anne Shirley…
“Looking forward to things is half the fun.”
That’s the whole point of these little rituals—they give you something to look forward to in the chaos.
I firmly believe that we are responsible for creating a bunch of tiny happy moments in an effort to build a joyful life. Whether it’s camping, reading with a friend, or sipping tea in vintage clothes—these moments matter.
But here’s the truth: even with the best intentions, some of these plans fall flat. The baby needs you, work runs late, or you just don’t have the energy to pull it off. I’ve been there more times than I can count.
In fact, I recently planned a solo movie night as part of my self-care—something just for me. Spoiler alert: it didn’t go as planned. But the story didn’t end there.
Curious how I salvaged the moment anyway? Read the follow-up post here →