Rest, Restore, Rejoice: Your Guide to Self-Directed Learning
I graduated college 4 years ago, and ever since then I’ve had this feeling gnawing at my side: nescience. I mean, it’s like I don’t know anything anymore!
But here’s the truth-of-the-matter: I don’t have a reason to learn. No more tests, no more assignments, no more awkward pop-quiz style interrogations from professors. I feel like my brain is withering away with each day that I’m not procrastinating a midterm study guide– and that is alarming.
As a certified goody-2-shoes-must-have-all-As, this whole situation has been killing me. But, for once, TikTok might be giving me something powerful and useful. (I know, I’m shocked, too.)
So here’s the big reveal: a personal curriculum
What Is a Personal Curriculum?
A personal curriculum is an adult (and digestible) amount of self-study. Basically the goal here is to gather resources around a theme of your choosing. These resources will guide you as the season progresses into digging deep into something you enjoy, or learning about something entirely new. The beauty is that you’re the professor, and you can make learning fit into your schedule again!
I chose something simple and warm for fall:
Rest, Restore and Rejoice.
How To Pick a Theme
Here’s the backstory: I went on vacation. In fact, it was the longest vacation of my life.
I learned a lot from just… existing for 10 days. I’ll be entirely honest, sleeping in and staying up late is great for about 2 days, then you just start to feel restless. Where’s the work phone that’s been ringing constantly for 8 hours? What do you mean I haven’t gotten 20,000 steps today from running down and around the pharmacy aisles?
I found myself just wanting to run back to chaos. But the kick is, the chaos is what made this trip necessary in the first place. I’ve been doing nothing but torturing myself for years with constant work and noise. Always looking for the next task or distraction.
So while I’m enjoying a morning on the beach, I hear something that broke me.
Slow down.
In this moment of peace, God was speaking to me. I realized that I just move way too quickly. I can’t recall a lot of things other than the catastrophe I think I avoided that day. I move so quickly through apps on my phone that I can’t tell you what I’ve spent my entire night looking at. God was making clear to me that this isn’t how I’m called to live life.
Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Matthew 6:34
I decided to correct my course by doing something I never do– read. I found myself entirely consumed in a book by John Mark Comer called, “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” (I will say that reading this on the beach was a top-tier experience). To say my perspective was changed is an understatement. After just 25 pages I knew that I desperately needed to change the way that I live my life. Not only for me, but for those around me.
Why Pick Rest, Restoration, and Rejoice?
I’m in pursuit of learning more about slowing down, getting away from distractions, and cultivating inner peace through God. I spend so much time on my phone trying to escape the circumstances that God knows that I can handle.
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13
One of the most popular verses is a guiding light for me now. I so often feel burdened by my own feelings and discontent, but here is Paul: content in struggle. I want to learn more about Paul’s perspective and how I can use that in my own life to get closer to Jesus.
My Personal Curriculum
Here’s a sampling of what I have chosen, and I urge you to think about problems in your life and what you can use around you to learn to be better.
Swapping Smart devices for analog changed my life by henrydidit
The ruthless elimination of hurry by john mark comer
You’re shaped by what you pay attention to by sherry ning
https://www.sherryning.com/p/youre-shaped-by-what-you-pay-attention?lli=1
Why time felt slower when we were kids (and how to get it back) by Yanah yuhai
https://contemplationstation.substack.com/p/why-time-felt-slower-when-we-were-128
Traveler’s Journal
I’ll definitely share more as I work on it, but I’ve been working on being intentional and recording more of my life, thoughts, and feelings. Additionally to work on my writing. The ability to have multiple journals in one place is unbeatable!
books of the bible: Haggi, titus, and philippians
My thoughts behind choosing these books are their stories and themes. Haggi is about rebuilding the temple (as far as I know), Titus is about conduct, and Philippians is about contentment in God. I’m especially excited about reading and learn more about books of the Bible.
Jesus lofi vol 1 by forrest frank/the lofi christian
I’m in persuit of learning more about slowing down, getting away from distractions, and cultivating inner peace through God. These are the things I’ve initially selected to help me get there.
I want to spend my time growing as a Christian. I want to stop running away by looking at my phone, and start facing my problems knowing that I have the one true God to support me. I have aspirations of being a good writer, a good disciple, and a good wife. Every minute that I spend scrolling is a minute wasted. How am I supposed to grow if I only sink deeper in the online abyss?
I hope this inspired you to either learn more or inspired you to think more about how you spend your time. Remember that we are here to worship. We should want to spend any time that we can with and for Him.
