Simply Convivial: Biblical Homemaking, Homeschooling & Mom Life—Without Burnout

Join convivialcircle.com -- Planning, even annual planning, isn't a waste of time when you do it in gratitude and for real growth. So, yes—you do have time to plan. Because planning isn’t about doing more, it’s about being faithful with what you already have.When you take time to plan, you’re saying, “Lord, I want to prepare my heart and home for what’s ahead.” That’s not perfectionism—it’s obedience.Inside Convivial Circle, we do this together during Ready5—a simple, guided annual planning process for Christian moms who want peace and clarity for the year ahead.Join us there, and plan faithfully—not frantically. 💜Mystie Winckler encourages moms to organize their attitudes and get traction at home so we are no longer overwhelmed or frustrated with homemaking. We are a community of Christian women striving to be competent, cheerful homemakers so we are fruitful, faithful, and hospitable. Subscribe for regular encouragement!📖 Get my latest book - Simplified Organization: Learn to Love What Must Be Donehttps://www.simplifiedorganization.com🏆 Enroll in Convivial Circle and get practical homemaking mentorship so you don't have to be overwhelmed anymore: https://www.simplyconvivial.com/stop-overwhelmFeeling overwhelmed? It's time to stop *wasting time* and reclaim your day! Learn practical *productivity* tips for *how to manage time* effectively, reducing *stress management* and cultivating good *habits*. Embrace *intentional eating* and discover *how to be more intentional* in all areas of your life for a more fulfilling home.

In this episode, Mystie Winckler talks with Allison Weeks, host of The Art of Home Podcast, about recovering the value and dignity of homemaking, building Titus 2 relationships, and finding true community beyond social media.You’ll learn:   why homemaking still matters in a modern world   how to find (and be) a mentor   why online community can’t replace real connection   how to overcome the awkwardness of calling yourself a homemaker   how Christ-centered identity transforms your work at home📖 Find Allison’s podcast → theartofhomepodcast.com💜 Join Convivial Circle for encouragement + accountability → convivialcircle.com📖 Get my latest book - Simplified Organization: Learn to Love What Must Be Donehttps://www.simplifiedorganization.com🏆 Enroll in Convivial Circle and get practical homemaking mentorship so you don't have to be overwhelmed anymore: https://www.simplyconvivial.com/stop-overwhelm

Homeschooling and homemaking will clash if you don’t set priorities. In this conversation with Leigh Nguyen from Little by Little Homeschool, we get practical about dividing attention between lessons and housework, why year-round homeschooling (6 on / 1 off) helps, and how to set daily “trigger” tasks so the house doesn’t tank your mood.You’ll learn:   how to choose a few daily basics and let the rest wait   why a break week is for resets, projects, and mental space   how kids’ chores build skills (and buy you margin)   what to do when you can’t find a mentor—and how to be oneListen to Lee’s podcast: Little by Little Homeschool → https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/podcastLee’s site: littlebylittlehomeschool.com Join Convivial Circle for practical help and accountability → convivialcircle.com📖 Get my latest book - Simplified Organization: Learn to Love What Must Be Donehttps://www.simplifiedorganization.com🏆 Enroll in Convivial Circle and get practical homemaking mentorship so you don't have to be overwhelmed anymore: https://www.simplyconvivial.com/stop-overwhelm

The heart of Thanksgiving and Christmas isn’t in the food or decorations—it’s in you, the homemaker who builds a home of warmth, worship, and joy.In this episode, Mystie Winckler shares how Christian moms can embrace their calling as the makers of festivity. Learn how to create joyful holidays through repentance, truth-tethered thinking, and cheerful productivity—without resentment, burnout, or perfectionism.You’ll learn:✨ Why your attitude sets the tone of your home✨ How festivity begins with faithfulness, not ambiance✨ Why joy is the fruit of the Spirit—not your checklist✨ Practical ways to plan your holidays with peace and purposeMoms, you are the magic—not because you do it all perfectly, but because you do it cheerfully. 💜🎄 Plan the Holidays Masterclass → convivialcircle.com📅 Join Convivial Circle → convivialcircle.comIn this episode -    How to build a festive home grounded in gratitude and joy   How your mindset about work shapes your family’s celebration   The truth about burden vs. blessing in homemaking   How to plan holidays without resentment or overwhelm   How to lead your family in worshipful festivity📖 Get my latest book - Simplified Organization: Learn to Love What Must Be Donehttps://www.simplifiedorganization.com🏆 Enroll in Convivial Circle and get practical homemaking mentorship so you don't have to be overwhelmed anymore: https://www.simplyconvivial.com/stop-overwhelm

simplyconvivial.com/holiday - Holiday planning doesn’t have to mean chaos. In this episode of the Simply Convivial podcast, Mystie Winckler is joined by her Convivial Circle team, Stefani Mons and Leisa Moulton, to talk about how they plan ahead for Thanksgiving and Christmas.We share the practical ways we handle:🎁 Christmas gifts: budgets, spreadsheets, wishlists, and family input📋 Lists: how we track ideas, purchases, wrapping, and stocking stuffers🍗 Holiday meals: menus, index cards, Google Keep, and notes that save time and stress🎄 Family traditions: how repeating simple plans turns them into meaningful traditionsThe holidays add more to our plates, but planning ahead keeps joy at the center. Join us as we talk about realistic gift budgets, keeping records from year to year, and making meals and traditions more cheerful, not more complicated.👉 Want help making your own holiday plan? Sign up for the Holiday Planning Masterclass at simplyconvivial.com/holiday📖 Get my latest book - Simplified Organization: Learn to Love What Must Be Donehttps://www.simplifiedorganization.com🏆 Enroll in Convivial Circle and get practical homemaking mentorship so you don't have to be overwhelmed anymore: https://www.simplyconvivial.com/stop-overwhelm

Big-picture planning doesn’t work when life changes faster than your plan does — and that’s why homemakers need interval planning.In this episode, Mystie Winckler explains the three most common mistakes moms make when setting up their interval plans and how to avoid them so you can finally make progress without burnout.You’ll learn:✅ Why an interval plan doesn’t give you more time — and what it really does✅ How to use “good procrastination” to stay focused✅ What to do during your prep week (and what not to)✅ How to make your interval plan fit real life, not the other way aroundMake the next six to eight weeks purposeful, peaceful, and productive — without overreaching yourself or burning out.💜 Watch next → How to Plan the Holidays Without Losing Your Mind📖 Get my latest book - Simplified Organization: Learn to Love What Must Be Donehttps://www.simplifiedorganization.com🏆 Enroll in Convivial Circle and get practical homemaking mentorship so you don't have to be overwhelmed anymore: https://www.simplyconvivial.com/stop-overwhelm

For your planner to work, you have to look at it. Mystie Winckler talks with Convivial Circle community manager Stefani Mons about the habit of reviewing your planner daily, weekly, and at intervals.Stefani explains how:Daily reviews keep perspective accurate and help reframe negativityWeekly reviews highlight what went well before looking at what needs to changeInterval reviews (every 6–12 weeks) give time to evaluate routines, homeschooling, and habits without overhauling everything too soonThey also discuss how reviewing helps avoid planner perfectionism, why it’s important to reframe lies as truth, and how community crowdsourcing provides fresh insights and reminders.This conversation shows why small, regular reviews keep plans realistic and cheerful—without going off the rails.📖 Get my book: How to Use a Planner Without Wasting Timehttps://amzn.to/3CcRzuy🏆 Enroll in Convivial Circle and get practical homemaking mentorship so you don't have to be overwhelmed anymore: https://www.simplyconvivial.com/stop-overwhelmIn this episode, Mystie Winckler discusses the importance of a solid planning routine to make the most of each week. Learn time management tips to help with day planning and create a better how to plan a day. These weekly planning tips are a must!🏆 Enroll in Convivial Circle and get practical life management mentorship so you don't have to be overwhelmed anymore: https://www.convivialcircle.com

Join the challenge: https://www.simplyconvivial.com/october | Long-term goals often fall apart because life shifts too quickly. That’s why a 6-week interval plan works—it’s long enough to make progress, but short enough to stay realistic. Instead of feeling like you’re failing at year-long resolutions, you’ll finally have a big-picture plan that adapts to your real life.In this 30-minute live episode, we’ll talk about what interval planning is, why 6–8 weeks is the sweet spot for moms, and how this approach keeps you moving forward without perfectionism. You’ll learn how to use interval plans to set priorities, avoid burnout, and actually follow through.Grab your planner and join me live—we’ll build a big-picture plan that brings peace and clarity to your next season.📖 Get my latest book: How to Use a Planner Without Wasting Timehttps://amzn.to/3CcRzuy🏆 Enroll in Convivial Circle and get practical life management mentorship so you don't have to be overwhelmed anymore: https://www.convivialcircle.com

Join Organize October: simplyconvivial.com/october -- There is no one-size-fits-all way to build a daily plan. The daily card isn’t a formula — it’s a practice that teaches awareness, flexibility, and discernment. By iterating daily, moms learn to identify what truly matters for the season they’re in.Your day won’t ever run perfectly — but with the right habits, you can keep focusing on the meat of your day and grow in cheerful, faithful productivity.What You’ll LearnHow the Daily Card helps you identify prioritiesWhy daily plans must change with your seasonsThe power of small, faithful iterationsHow flexibility builds confidenceHow the Daily Card reveals what truly matters📖 Get my latest book - Simplified Organization: Learn to Love What Must Be Donehttps://www.simplifiedorganization.com🏆 Enroll in Convivial Circle and get practical homemaking mentorship so you don't have to be overwhelmed anymore: https://www.simplyconvivial.com/stop-overwhelm

Your Daily Card should be the simplest, most powerful tool in your planner — but most moms get it wrong.In this episode, Mystie Winckler walks through the three most common Daily Card mistakes that keep homemakers from feeling productive and peaceful:1️⃣ Writing down wishful thinking instead of real priorities.2️⃣ Listing projects instead of doable tasks.3️⃣ Avoiding the practice until it feels “perfect.”Learn how to make a daily card that focuses on the meat of your day — the essential work that matters most — so you can stop spinning your wheels and start walking faithfully through your responsibilities.Making daily cards consistently helps you learn about yourself, your thinking patterns, and your real priorities.2. Mistake #1 – Wishful ThinkingMany moms fill their daily card with things they wish they could do instead of their true priorities.The daily card should not list extras or gravy tasks—it’s for the meat of the day.“The meat” means the core work and responsibilities that genuinely require your time and attention today.Instead of writing down what you’d like to do, ask:“Where should my time and attention go today?”Examples:Nursing the baby, homeschooling, or preparing meals may take significant time and deserve a spot on the card.These tasks are not distractions from productivity—they are the essential work of the day.The daily card helps you stop criticizing yourself for not doing “more” and instead recognize that you spent your time where it mattered.3. Mistake #2 – Putting Projects Instead of TasksA project is many tasks disguised as one item; putting it on your daily card sets you up for failure.The daily card should only include things that can actually be done today with the time and energy you have.Big projects should be broken into smaller, specific, actionable steps.A helpful rule:If it takes too much time, too much energy, or too much thinking power, it’s too big for your daily card.Examples of proper daily card items:“Make two phone calls” (instead of “handle appointments”)“Take meal to family” (acknowledging it affects timing and priorities)The goal is to prioritize what truly counts, not to cram ambitious goals into an already full day.4. Mistake #3 – Procrastinating the PracticeSome moms avoid making a daily card because they think they must have perfect priorities figured out first.You learn what matters by doing daily cards, even imperfectly.It’s better to make a bad daily card today than to make none at all.Each attempt gives insight into your expectations, habits, and priorities.Over time, repeated practice builds awareness and discernment.📖 Get my latest book - Simplified Organization: Learn to Love What Must Be Donehttps://www.simplifiedorganization.com🏆 Enroll in Convivial Circle and get practical homemaking mentorship so you don't have to be overwhelmed anymore: https://www.simplyconvivial.com/stop-overwhelm

Organize October Challenge! simplyconvivial.com/october | Maybe you don't have too much to do. Maybe you just need a better management system! Rachael shares how she translates big-picture values like intimacy with the Lord, marriage, hospitality, and stewardship into daily and weekly rhythms. She shows her custom clipboard planner, which includes:A weekly dashboard with top 3 priorities, habits, meals, and projectsA daily top 3 to stay focused in the momentA weekly review page to track milestones, prayers, and God’s presenceAn interval review system that keeps the big picture in viewWe also talk about embracing limitations as a gift, using planners as flexible tools, and why remembering what God has done builds gratitude and joy.This episode is part of Organized October, focused on making your planner work for real family life.👉 Join the challenge at simplyconvivial.com/october📖 Get my latest book - Simplified Organization: Learn to Love What Must Be Donehttps://www.simplifiedorganization.com🏆 Enroll in Convivial Circle and get practical homemaking mentorship so you don't have to be overwhelmed anymore: https://www.simplyconvivial.com/stop-overwhelmThe Simply Convivial podcast explores how becoming a mother and a homemaker affects time management. Learn to avoid wasting time and embrace limitations to increase your productivity. Discover how to manage your time effectively and find homemaking motivation to help you plan your day better.📖 Get my book: How to Use a Planner Without Wasting Timehttps://amzn.to/3CcRzuy🏆 Enroll in Convivial Circle and get practical life management mentorship so you don't have to be overwhelmed anymore: https://www.convivialcircle.com

Join the challenge: simplyconvivial.com/october -- If you can count to three, you can make a daily plan that actually works.The problem isn’t that you don’t have enough time—it’s that you’re trying to do too much.In this Simply Convivial episode, Mystie Winckler breaks down her Daily Card method: three priorities, three routines, and three personal habits that help Christian homemakers manage their days with peace and focus.It’s not about doing everything. It’s about doing the right things—and doing them faithfully.What you’ll learn:How to use the “rule of three” to plan your dayHow to identify your top daily prioritiesThe simple routines that keep home life stableHow to pair productivity with self-care and joyWhy a short daily plan works better than a long to-do listMystie Winckler encourages moms to organize their attitudes and get traction at home so we are no longer overwhelmed or frustrated with homemaking. We are a community of Christian women striving to be competent, cheerful homemakers so we are fruitful, faithful, and hospitable. Subscribe for regular encouragement!📖 Get my latest book - Simplified Organization: Learn to Love What Must Be Donehttps://www.simplifiedorganization.com🏆 Enroll in Convivial Circle and get practical homemaking mentorship so you don't have to be overwhelmed anymore: https://www.simplyconvivial.com/stop-overwhelm

Join the challenge: https://www.simplyconvivial.com/october | Most moms start the day with a long list—and end the day discouraged when half of it is still undone. A daily card with a simple top 3 keeps you focused on what actually matters, even when interruptions come.In this 30-minute live episode, we’ll talk about why a daily top 3 works, how to set up a daily card that you’ll actually use, and how this simple tool helps you make progress without burning out. You’ll learn how to use daily cards to keep your priorities clear and your attitude steady, even in the middle of chaos.Bring your planner and your questions—we’ll make this practical and doable. By the end, you’ll be ready to start tomorrow with clarity and confidence.📖 Get my latest book: How to Use a Planner Without Wasting Timehttps://amzn.to/3CcRzuy🏆 Enroll in Convivial Circle and get practical life management mentorship so you don't have to be overwhelmed anymore: https://www.convivialcircle.com

Your planner isn’t supposed to stay the same forever.As your life changes, your planner should too.If your planner used to work but now just feels off, there’s nothing wrong with you—you just need a new plan for your new season.In this week’s Simply Convivial episode, I’m sharing how to adjust your planner habits through the changing seasons of motherhood, so your system serves your current life instead of fighting it.What you’ll learn:Why no planner can work forever—and that’s normalHow to adjust your system to fit your current life stageHow to manage homemaking in seasons of chaos or changeWhy writing things down frees your mind for what matters mostHow to iterate faithfully through every season of motherhoodMystie Winckler encourages moms to organize their attitudes and get traction at home so we are no longer overwhelmed or frustrated with homemaking. We are a community of Christian women striving to be competent, cheerful homemakers so we are fruitful, faithful, and hospitable. Subscribe for regular encouragement!📖 Get my latest book - Simplified Organization: Learn to Love What Must Be Donehttps://www.simplifiedorganization.com🏆 Enroll in Convivial Circle and get practical homemaking mentorship so you don't have to be overwhelmed anymore: https://www.simplyconvivial.com/stop-overwhelm

Join Organize October: simplyconvivial.com/october :: You’re using your planner faithfully—but is it really working for you?In this Simply Convivial episode, Mystie Winckler shares the three most common planner mistakes moms make and how to fix them so your weekly spread becomes a useful, trustworthy tool for managing real life.If your planner feels cluttered, confusing, or easy to ignore, these insights will help you simplify your approach, stop overplanning, and start managing your home with cheerful productivity.What you’ll learn:   Why your planner shouldn’t hold everything   How to write clear, actionable to-do lists   Why “nouns” on your task list create confusion   How to build the habit of looking at your plan daily   How to simplify your planning so it serves your real lifeKeep learning with Mystie:📘 Homemaking 101 – Replace stress with realistic expectations → simplyconvivial.com/home101💬 Join Convivial Circle – Build faith-filled consistency and calm → convivialcircle.com🎧 Listen to more Simply Convivial episodes →  ⁨@simplyconvivial⁩  📖 Get my latest book - Simplified Organization: Learn to Love What Must Be Donehttps://www.simplifiedorganization.com🏆 Enroll in Convivial Circle and get practical homemaking mentorship so you don't have to be overwhelmed anymore: https://www.simplyconvivial.com/stop-overwhelm

Join Organized October: simplyconvivial.com/october - A planner only works if it fits real life. In this Simply Convivial episode, Mystie Winckler talks with Convivial Circle mentor member Rachael Younger about how she uses bullet journaling to keep a working weekly spread.Rachael shares how she sets up her pages with lines, markers, and index cards, and why the freedom to modify each week makes the system sustainable. She shows how she:Draws a simple weekly spread during her review in just 15–20 minutesUses daily cards and Post-its to stay focusedKeeps track of food spending, gardening, and routines in one placeAdds space for brain dumps, book lists, and meal plansExperiments and iterates without pressure to be artisticThis episode is part of Organized October, focused on planning your week. Whether you use a bullet journal, a pre-printed planner, or a notebook, you can build a weekly dashboard that works for you.Mystie Winckler encourages moms to organize their attitudes and get traction at home so we are no longer overwhelmed or frustrated with homemaking. We are a community of Christian women striving to be competent, cheerful homemakers so we are fruitful, faithful, and hospitable. Subscribe for regular encouragement!📖 Get my latest book - Simplified Organization: Learn to Love What Must Be Donehttps://www.simplifiedorganization.com🏆 Enroll in Convivial Circle and get practical homemaking mentorship so you don't have to be overwhelmed anymore: https://www.simplyconvivial.com/stop-overwhelm

simplyconvivial.com/october -- You don’t need the perfect planner—you just need one that works.As a busy mom, any planner will do as long as it includes these three essential weekly sections.In this Simply Convivial episode, Mystie Winckler breaks down the three parts every planner must have for a mom’s life to stay on track. You’ll learn how to set up your weekly spread—on paper or digitally—so it becomes a tool that helps you manage real life without overthinking it.These simple planner tweaks will help you stop losing track of your days, keep your habits visible, and get the right things done with cheerful productivity.What you’ll learn:   The only three sections your planner truly needs   Why your weekly view matters more than your daily pages   How to track habits that actually stay visible   Why a planner is worthless if you never look at it   How to adapt any planner—paper or digital—to your mom life📖 Get my latest book - Simplified Organization: Learn to Love What Must Be Donehttps://www.simplifiedorganization.com🏆 Enroll in Convivial Circle and get practical homemaking mentorship so you don't have to be overwhelmed anymore: https://www.simplyconvivial.com/stop-overwhelm

Join the challenge: https://www.simplyconvivial.com/planner | A weekly spread isn’t about making pretty layouts—it’s about giving you perspective. When you only look at today, everything feels urgent and overwhelming. A weekly view shows you where your time is going, what truly matters, and how to keep your plans realistic.In this 30-minute live episode, we’ll dig into why every mom needs a weekly planner page, what it helps you see that a daily list can’t, and how it keeps you from overcommitting. You’ll learn how to use a weekly spread to line up your responsibilities with your actual capacity so you can stay steady without burning out.Grab your planner and join me live—let’s make your week work for you instead of against you.💜 Hit “Notify Me” so you don’t miss it!📖 Get my latest book: How to Use a Planner Without Wasting Timehttps://amzn.to/3CcRzuy🏆 Enroll in Convivial Circle and get practical life management mentorship so you don't have to be overwhelmed anymore: https://www.convivialcircle.com

Your calendar habits should grow and change as your season of motherhood does.Whether you’re a mom of littles, juggling teenagers, or entering the empty-nest years, your calendar needs to match your current life—not your past one.In this episode, Mystie Winckler explains how to identify your season, adjust your planning approach, and use your calendar to steward time wisely through every stage of motherhood.Because faithful homemaking isn’t about having one perfect system—it’s about learning, adapting, and continuing with cheerful productivity in every season.Continue your cheerful productivity journey:📘 Homemaking 101 – Replace stress with peace in your daily routines → simplyconvivial.com/home101💬 Join Convivial Circle – Find support and growth in every season → convivialcircle.com📖 Get my latest book - Simplified Organization: Learn to Love What Must Be Donehttps://www.simplifiedorganization.com🏆 Enroll in Convivial Circle and get practical homemaking mentorship so you don't have to be overwhelmed anymore: https://www.simplyconvivial.com/stop-overwhelm

Join Organize October: simplyconvivial.com/october -- You’ve got your calendar. You’re using it. You’re trying to make it work.But if you still feel like things are slipping through the cracks, you might be making one of these three calendar mistakes.In this Simply Convivial episode, Mystie Winckler breaks down the three habits that undermine your planner—and how to fix them so your calendar becomes a tool you can trust.These aren’t fancy systems or time-management tricks. They’re practical habits that every homemaker needs to keep her days peaceful, productive, and purposeful. 3 calendar mistakes every mom makesMistake 1: Not updating your calendar immediatelyMistake 2: Using shorthand you can’t understand laterMistake 3: Writing things down and never looking at your calendarHow to fix your habits for good📖 Get my latest book - Simplified Organization: Learn to Love What Must Be Donehttps://www.simplifiedorganization.com🏆 Enroll in Convivial Circle and get practical homemaking mentorship so you don't have to be overwhelmed anymore: https://www.simplyconvivial.com/stop-overwhelm