Pursuing Your Dream Life: Creating A Personal Curriculum
There’s a new trend on TikTok, and I am absolutely here for it. Content creator Elizabeth Jean recently shared how she designs a monthly curriculum for herself, choosing subjects she’s curious about and devoting intentional time to studying them.
When I saw this idea, it felt like kismet. Just days earlier, I had written in my journal that I wanted to stop being a passive participant in my own life. I don’t want to only “get by”, I want to create my dream life. And this curriculum idea feels like the perfect bridge between intention and action.
Instead of a monthly curriculum (which feels a little too ambitious for me right now), I’ve decided to design a seasonal one. Just like a college semester, my Fall curriculum will cover a handful of subjects I’m eager to learn and live into before the year ends.
Here’s what I’m studying this Fall:
1. Overcoming the Fear of Being Seen
If there’s one thing that has kept me from taking big leaps toward my dreams, it’s the fear of being seen. As a shy introvert with a long history of social anxiety, visibility has always felt like a risk. But I don’t want that fear to dictate my future anymore.
This Fall, my “textbooks” will be How to Be Yourself: Quiet Your Inner Critic and Rise Above Social Anxiety by Ellen Hendriksen and Women Who Run with the Wolves by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés . I want to learn how to step into the light, even when it feels uncomfortable, and finally give myself permission to take up space.
2. Creativity
I am happiest when I’m creating, whether it’s writing a poem, reimagining a room, or cooking a meal. Creativity is where I feel most like myself, and I want to continue exploring and nurturing that spark.
For this, I’ll be visiting the classic The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, a guidebook for unlocking creativity and treating it as a spiritual practice.
3. Keto Cooking
Since starting the keto diet, I’ve been experimenting with ways to make food both nourishing and exciting. As someone who loves to cook, this feels like the perfect opportunity to study flavor, creativity, and health all in one.
I’ll be using two cookbooks already on my shelf: Simply Keto by Suzanne Ryan and Quick & Easy Ketogenic Cooking by Maria Emmerich. My kitchen is about to become my classroom.
4. Astrology
Astrology has been one of my special interests for a couple of years now, and I’d love to go deeper into the art of reading charts and understanding the zodiac.
My chosen text is Astrology Made Easy: A Guide to Understanding Your Birth Chart by Yasmin Boland. I am also seeking recommendations for a more in-depth text for astrology, as this book only covers the basics. This will be both study and play, a way to connect with the cosmos while expanding my perspective.
5. Ancestral Spirituality
I grew up in a high-control religion that didn’t leave space for curiosity or exploration outside of its own beliefs. As I’ve deconstructed and begun to embrace a more open spirituality, I’ve felt called to explore the wisdom of my ancestors.
As a Black woman, I want to honor the practices and traditions that were part of my lineage long before I was here. My guide will be Protecting My Peace: Embracing Inner Beauty and Ancestral Power by Elizabeth Leiba.
6. Business
Finally, the subject closest to my ultimate dream: building a business that supports both my purpose and my financial freedom. My goal is to create a life where I can step away from the traditional 9–5 and step fully into my own work.
For this, I’ll be studying THE BLUEPRINT: Starting a Successful Business by Kevin Barnicle, a step-by-step guide to building a business and living life on your own terms.
I can’t wait to dive into this experiment. Creating a personal curriculum feels like a way of reclaiming the joy of learning while also moving closer to the life I want to live. It’s structure with soul, intention with inspiration.
Would you ever design a personal curriculum for yourself? If you did, what subjects would be on your syllabus?
To your unfolding story,
Sharla
