Question of the Day: What Do You Want to Learn This Summer?

by Mandi on June 18, 2011

source: schoolofeverything

Over the next couple of weeks we’ll be setting up my craft room — a project I’ve been dreaming about for years! – and I’m planning to register for the Home Ec Online course just as soon as I have a place to keep my sewing machine and regularly sew.

My goal this summer is to learn how to sew.

I’m not planning on opening an Etsy shop or expecting to become a hot fashion designer; I just want to be able to sew outfits for my girls, make little gifts and have fun creating.

So today I want to know…

What do you want to learn this summer?

Is it a new skill? Or are you going to try to take one of your current skills to the next level?

Do you prefer to take a course or read a book to learn something new? Or would you rather do lots of research and chart your own course?

Do you like to learn new things with other people or by yourself?

Looking forward to reading your answers!

http://savingbymaking.com Diana

Oh my, you just totally hit the nail on the head. Those times where I need to get a lot done, and I make a list, and I schedule in fb or computer time, I do feel so much more refreshed! And when I’m procrastinating [ahem ], all the computer or a book does is make me feel less motivated and guilty for not being more productive. Thanks for clarifying my brain for me!!

http://yourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

It’s funny how “relaxing” via procrastination really drains your energy,
isn’t it?

http://savingbymaking.com Diana

Oh my, you just totally hit the nail on the head. Those times where I need to get a lot done, and I make a list, and I schedule in fb or computer time, I do feel so much more refreshed! And when I’m procrastinating [ahem ], all the computer or a book does is make me feel less motivated and guilty for not being more productive. Thanks for clarifying my brain for me!!
eternalvoyageur

I read an interesting study recently where they concluded that people were relaxed WHILE watching TV, but AFTERWARDS they were as stressed as before. So TV doesn´t replenish our energy.

http://yourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

That is interesting — I’m not sure there will be any convincing my hubby, though!

th2269

ugh facebook just sucks time away from me….& I do feel awful & unproductive when that happens…glad to know i’m not the only who struggles to be more intentional. Thanks
Anna Wegner

It is easy for me to get sucked into things on the computer, or little tasks here and there that take me away from what I should be doing. But then my mind is usually going a million different directions, and I can’t really focus on anything.
Having a schedule for my time during the day helps. I don’t follow it exactly, but it gives me a guideline.
I like to read and journal to relax. I give the kids a break from school after lunch, and spend a few minutes reading. Then I always spend some time to read after lunch. Each Monday night, I take time to do things like journal and plan out my week while my husband supervises the kids.
http://livingthebalancedlife.com Bernice Wood

It is amazing the difference that it can make if you actually schedule down time, rather than taking it by default. If you schedule it, you can choose the activities that are more refreshing or recharging AND you don’t have the guilt becuase you were supposed to be doing something else!
Great post Mandi!
Bernice
13 ways to stay stressed out
Leslie

What a great post! I definitely struggle with this. You’ve done a great job describing the difference between intentional relaxation, which we all need, and procrastination, which just makes us feel more tired and stressed.

So, a question: I find that often I’ll say to myself “okay, you can spend 15 min on Facebook and then you have to get back to work”, but three hours later, I’ll still be on Facebook. Same with watching a TV show – I say I’ll watch one, but then I watch 3. How do you make yourself stick to your schedule and not let that time of intentional relaxation overflow into just wasting time? Do you use a timer?

http://yourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

I don’t use a timer (because, frankly, if I want to waste time, I’ll just
turn the timer off anyway), but I sometimes struggle with this as well. I
think it really just takes practice to think about it and make myself do it.
Good ol’ discipline! It helps that I only have about 200 friends on Facebook
because I can usually see all of their statuses and photos relatively
quickly, which means I’m not going down lots of rabbit trails!

http://more-than-rubies-blog.blogspot.com/ Amy

I want to learn how to can this summer. I think my grandma has some equipment I can borrow, and even if all I do is make one batch of jelly or apple butter, I’d like to say I gave it a try.

http://yourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

This is on my “learn someday” list, but I don’t think it will be this year. Will you be blogging about it as you go?

www.natalieandtheboys.com

I am going to learn Latin!

http://yourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

Yay, I love this! I was just looking at Latin curriculum the other day. We do Classical Conversations for homeschool, which emphasizes Latin, but the girls won’t really dig into it until junior high/high school, and I’m not sure I want to wait that long. I loved it so much when I was in junior high, and I wish I’d kept up with it!

Can’t wait to hear how it goes!

Ella Call

Well, I think flexing my painting muscles will be my challenge. I can paint a room with minimal taping & little forethought. However I really want to try my hand at some new mediums & techniques this summer. First I have many furniture pieces that need a fresh look (or maybe a better way to blend in with their surroundings, LOL). Next on my list are my kitchen & powder room cabinets. Lastly is something that looks boldly beautiful, but I’m really scared of, which is painting stripes on my powder & living room walls.

http://yourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

Sounds like a great summer plan! We recently painted a set of old furniture white, which I was so hesitant to do at first, but I really, really like it!

Jessica Fisher

Hmmm…. I have lots of projects, but I’m not sure that it’s learning as much as it is decluttering or creating. Maybe “learning” to prioritize? How’s that?

http://yourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

Hehe! I think maybe you’re in the “finishing” stage rather than the “starting” stage? Yes? No?

Amy Dement

This summer I am learning how to look within and be content with the blessings I have rather than always yearning to have or be more. I have tremendous skills and potential (we all do) but often feel inadequate by comparison (who doesn’t really – I hope you don’t). So this summer I am learning to capitalize on my potential and face my fears of not measuring up.

http://yourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

LOVE this, Amy!

http://joyceandnorm.wordpress.com Joyce and Norm

Not necessarily learn, but my goal for the summer is find a workout/exercise routine that works for me. Part of that is learning to run properly. I have a knee problem so that’s important to me, to not just go out there and do it, but to find the right equipment (shoes) and learn the right posture, and whatever else goes along with that. =p

http://yourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

If we’re talking goals, this is definitely one of mine too. I’m on Day 5 of the 30 Day Shred (ahem, again…) and really committed to making it through all 30 days and then continuing from there! Good luck!

http://joyceandnorm.wordpress.com Joyce and Norm

Good for you! I’ve been meaning to check out 30DS. I just started back on my workout routine and my abs hurt when I sneeze! Let me know if you get through the 30DS. I heard Walmart has it on sale this week. =p

http://www.facebook.com/amybayliss Amy Grant Bayliss

I am always learning something new. My husband tells everyone that I’m a professional…. student. lol. This summer I am taking CEC in Interior Design. Our local community college has great course prices and lots of subjects to choose from. I love it! I must say that the sewing class sounds like a good deal too. That would go hand in hand with interior design. I will be checking that out.

http://yourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

Being a professional student is pretty much my lifelong dream. I love to learn new things on my own, but I have a long list of degrees I’d love to pursue if I had time and money!

http://delightinginthedays.com Stacy

Oh, sewing is a good one. I’d like to become more proficient at that!

This summer, I want to learn a few simple graphic design skills. Just the basics so I can make my own header and button, and also some pretty word art. That would be lovely

http://yourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

Sounds like a great goal, Stacy!

Misti

My husband was recently diagnosed with celiac disease, so this summer my goal is to learn how to bake things that he can eat.

http://yourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

I’m sure that’s a challenge, but I love that you’ve made it a priority! Thank goodness for the internet and the bazillion recipes available at our fingertips!

Hfriebele

What home ec class are you reistering for – my friend is helping me make the curtains in my girls room but it takes a while because we both have 2 small children so it is not going very fast. I would love to try an online class.

http://yourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

Ack, so sorry! I really meant to include the link: http://homeeconline.blogspot.com/

http://www.techgeekgirl.com/ Michelle Mista

I’ve got two learning goals this summer: one is to finish my novel, the other is to add to my technology skillset by learning some more about scripting and databases. I wish I could take a course but I’m pretty good at self-learning so I’m not too worried.

http://yourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

Whew, I like some programming, but some of that stuff makes my head spin. Good for you, though — I’m impressed that you are able to learn it on your own!

A novel too? You’re a girl of many talents!

Melissa

I would love to take the Home Ec class, which one is it? This summer I am going to learn to cook and bake healthier, and I am teaching my kids to cook and bake.

http://yourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

Oops, sorry, I meant to include a link: http://homeeconline.blogspot.com/

Sounds like you have a great summer planned!

Domar987

This summer I would like to take a refresher course in sign language and I was going to take a knitting class but someone volunteered to teach me for free this fall while our girls take dance class together. Happy learning to all!

http://yourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

Oh, fun — learning with a friend is so much better!

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1741641854 Linda Petersen

Serging, and Russian. But the Russian is an ongoing thing. And really quite hard!

http://yourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

Impressive! I imagine it is very hard, but I love that you’re sticking with it. Why Russian?

Shannon

I want to learn how to keep a house clean this summer. I’m a child of a hoarder and I never learned how to manage a household. Now that I’m married with children of my own, I don’t want them to grow up in the same conditions I did when I was young.

http://yourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

Don’t put too much pressure on yourself because the summer will go fast! I had to learn to keep a house clean when we got married, and I think it took me a couple of years to create habits that stick. Focus on one habit at a time and you’ll look back and see a huge difference!

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=25411585 Sandra Coldewey

I want to learn how to sew(I used to know, when I was 7 & made a skirt & matching hair accessory for Girl Scouts)!! I want to make simple & crafty things… curtains for my classroom, pillows, little girls outfits. I don’t even know the best sewing machine to buy! Any ideas, thoughts or pointers would be greatly appreciated

http://yourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

Did you click on the link to that Home Ec course? It looks like a really great course, well worth the investment (I’m not an affiliate or anything, just looking forward to taking it myself!).