The Art of Slowing Down

You’re reading The Ten AM, a Friday ritual for the parents who traded the fluorescent hum of the institution for the quiet steam of a French press. Every week, I’m serving up a 1-minute hit of curated finds and field notes to help you remember that you aren’t just 'staying home. You’re building a world. Because coziness is a form of resistance, much like the first cup of coffee before the house wakes up, or my recurring belief that I can solve any existential crisis with a new stack of linen notebooks and a very expensive candle, which usually results in me being 'organized' in spirit while my actual life remains a beautiful, unscripted work of art.

XO,

Kimberly

A shot of soul to start the day.

Trading "system" rules for home truths.

This data comes from feedback provided by teachers in public school. I love that in our world, a "brain break" isn't a rare treat; it’s the secret sauce that makes the math finally click while we’re still in our socks.

Neighborly finds and homeschool favorites.

Next week, I’m meeting up with a friend for a park date to talk about her possibly homeschooling her daughter next year. This is the simple permission slip she needs to hear. We all do when things get hard, and you start to wonder, “Can I actually do this?” Maybe you need this reminder too today?

Sightings of the "classroom" where it shouldn't be

The poet Louise Gluck put it best with, “You look at the world once, in childhood. The rest is memory.” For children, learning doesn’t happen in four walls. It happens 24 hours a day in every experience they’re given.

The science and data behind the art of homeschooling.

There is a beautiful concept in linguistics and cognitive science called "The Contextual Learning Effect." Research suggests that when children learn in a familiar, low-stress environment (like a sunlit kitchen or a favorite armchair), their brains are significantly more receptive to complex ideas than in high-pressure, sterilized settings.

In other words, by keeping the "cozy" in our morning, we aren't just being sweet. We are creating a neurological "safe harbor" that allows deep, long-term memory to flourish.

Low-friction, high-magic things to try today.

Prop open a high-quality, illustrated book, like a vintage botany guide, a "History of the World in 100 Objects," or what my fourth grader would choose our Science Encyclopedia). Open it to a particularly striking page and leave it near where your family eats. There’s no "look at this" required. It’s simply a strewing for the soul. It’s non-intrusive but impossible to ignore. It sparks those "Did you know...?" conversations that happen naturally between bites of chili, whether you're 8 or 48.

A little something sweet for your weekend.

I fell in love with these little images for The Ten AM's new look. Specifically, this lady:

Isn’t she loooovely?! 😍 This lady has energized herself straight off the coffee bean plant and saddled up for a life of bone-deep freedom. She’s tired sometimes, but she’s also ready to ride into this beautiful life. She knows there will be grit, but she also knows there will be fresh air, sunshine, movement, energy, and a whole lot of love in the process.

I’m working on some fun swag for us that’ll include her, since she is all of us. I was thinking, she should have a name.

Or, if you have a name idea of your own, hit reply and let me know!

I’ll be back next Tuesday with my weekly ‘lil love letter from our homeschool to yours. Until then, I’m sending you all the cozy vibes to close out this week.

~ Kimberly