#98: Nourishing You: The Habits That Fill Your Cup
If you’re pouring from an empty cup, your homeschool will feel harder than it has to. Today we’re flipping that script with simple, do-able habits that run on autopilot—so you feel grounded, creative, and energized (without adding more to your plate).
Julie explores what it really means to nourish you as a homeschool mom—practically, not theoretically. We look at how identity-based habits shape your days, why small changes compound into big results, and how to design habits that are obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying. You’ll hear Charlotte Mason’s wisdom on “the habits of the good life,” a gentle mindset for starting small, and a practical morning “Powerhouse 30” you can tailor to your season. We’ll also talk about replacing unhelpful patterns, stacking new habits onto routines you already have, and tracking progress for 30 days to build confidence that spreads to every corner of your home.
5 Key Takeaways
Habits shape identity—on autopilot. Thoughts → feelings → actions → habits → character. When you choose one nourishing habit and repeat it, you’re not just changing a routine—you’re becoming the kind of mom who keeps promises to herself.
Start tiny, snowball steadily. Pick one habit for 30 days. Small wins create momentum (the “snowball effect”), making it easier to add the next right habit later.
Design your habit to succeed (Atomic Habits style). Make it Obvious (visible cue), Attractive (tie it to a meaningful “why”), Easy (remove friction), and Satisfying (notice the reward in doing it).
If you’re stopping a habit, replace it. To break an unhelpful loop, make it Invisible (remove triggers), Undesirable (name the real cost), Difficult (add friction), and Unsatisfying (disrupt the false reward)—then swap in a nourishing alternative.
Mother Culture isn’t optional—it’s fuel. Charlotte Mason reminds us that a mother who continues to grow gives her children a richer education. Guard simple rhythms (reading, prayer/journaling, movement) as essentials, not extras.
Highlights You’ll Love
The habit loop in plain language: cue → craving → response → reward—and how to re-wire it in your favor
Identity statements that drive action (e.g., “I’m a woman who keeps wise financial habits”)
Habit stacking: attach a new practice to something you already do (coffee → journal; kids’ quiet time → your 15-minute read)
The Powerhouse 30: 10 minutes to move your body, 10 to feed your mind, 10 to nourish your soul
Gentle planning prompts so your habit is scheduled, tracked, and celebrated
Try-It-This-Week Challenge
Choose one nourishing habit for the next 30 days.
Write an identity statement that supports it.
Make it Obvious/Attractive/Easy/Satisfying.
Stack it to an existing routine and set a simple daily reminder.
Track it (paper checkboxes totally count!) and notice the built-in reward: confidence.
Reflection Questions
What tiny habit would immediately lift your energy or peace this month?
Which thought about yourself needs upgrading to make this habit natural?
Where in your day can you stack it so it actually happens?
“Sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.” —Charlotte Mason
Resources Mentioned:
Visit thefeastlife.me/blog/98 for additional resources and links
Atomic Habits by James Clear
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