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Ever wish you could bottle that back-to-school buzz without actually signing up for a college semester? That mix of fresh notebooks, new ideas, and the thrill of a blank slate is exactly what the personal curriculum trend is all about. It’s sweeping across TikTok, and for good reason: it’s structured enough to keep you motivated but flexible enough to feel like freedom life, not detention.
If you’ve hung around here before, you’ll know my site mostly focuses on nutrition, health, and fitness. But here’s the thing: I’m obsessed with learning in all its forms.
I’m a sucker for self improvement and behavioural science, and, confession time, I’m also a full-on “basic” fall girl. Give me a blanket, a hot drink, and a notebook, and I’m in heaven. So naturally, the whole idea of building a personal curriculum appeals to me on every level.
In this post, we’re diving into what a personal curriculum actually is, why it works so well for adults (yes, even if you’re a shy introvert who hated school), and how to create one that fits your lifestyle.
Think of it as a monthly curriculum adult version of “playing school”, with the fun bits cranked up and the boring bits binned.
What Is a Personal Curriculum (and Why Now Is the Perfect Time)
A personal curriculum is basically you being your own headteacher. You pick the subjects, you set the assignments, and you decide when term starts and ends.
Unlike an actual college semester, there are no rigid deadlines, no terrifying reading charts, and no one docking marks because you fancied a lie-in.
This works so well because life happens. You can’t always stick to a strict syllabus, sometimes the washing machine breaks, sometimes the kids get ill, sometimes you just want a nap.
That’s why creating your own self curriculum is genius: you build in flexibility. You can set monthly themes, swap subjects when you lose steam, or even take a break without feeling like you’ve failed.
Some people weave in spiritual practices, journaling, or even their birth chart (because who doesn’t want to know if Mercury retrograde is messing with their assignments?). Others set practical goals, like finance tips to move towards financial freedom, or health-focused habits that make everyday life easier.
It can even be as simple as adding family time as a “class.” The point isn’t perfection, it’s creating a structure that supports a meaningful life and nudges you towards a life well lived.
Step 1: Choose Your Subjects
Start with three to five areas that spark your curiosity. That’s your sweet spot: enough variety to stay engaged, not so many that you burn out.
Examples:
- Cooking (finally learning how to roast veggies without cremating them).
- Journaling or creative writing (hello, future bestseller).
- Mindful movement or yoga (self care that doesn’t feel like a punishment).
- Finance tips for financial freedom (goodbye overdraft, hello savings).
- Art, music, or photography (creative curriculum vibes).
If you’re looking for inspiration, I’ve already pulled together 10 Cosy Subjects to Add to Your Personal Curriculum This Fall, it’s basically a buffet of ideas you can pinch from.
Top tip: give your “classes” playful names. Instead of “Budgeting,” call it “Cashflow Confidence.” Instead of “Meditation,” make it “Zen Den.” It feels less like homework and more like a lifestyle blog challenge you actually want to stick with.
Step 2: Gather Your Resources
Once you’ve chosen your subjects, it’s time to kit yourself out. Books, podcasts, and online tutorials are your mates here. The beauty of a personal curriculum is that you can mix and match resources.
And here’s the best part, you don’t have to spend a fortune. Libraries are goldmines, YouTube is bursting with free content, and podcasts make it easy to learn on the go. If you’re keen on structure, invest in a curriculum planner or use printable reading charts to track progress.
If you prefer a looser approach, keep it casual, maybe jot notes in your phone or snap a photo of your progress for social media.
The aim is simple: create a self curriculum that fits your life, not one that makes you feel guilty. This is about building a meaningful life, not another stick to beat yourself with.
Step 3: Turn Goals Into Assignments
Passive learning is fine, but let’s be real, you’ll forget half of it by tomorrow. Real progress happens when you do.
That’s why turning your goals into assignments makes the difference between “I watched a video on sourdough” and “I baked a loaf and ate half of it fresh out the oven.”
Assignments could be:
- Baking one new recipe every Sunday.
- Writing 300 words daily in a journal.
- Creating a monthly photo challenge.
- Setting aside one evening for financial planning.
I’ve written a full guide on How to Create Fun ‘Assignments’ That Keep You Motivated, but the short version is this: make them small, creative, and something you’ll actually look forward to.
When you shift from “I should” to “I get to,” you’ll start finding joy in the process, not just ticking boxes.
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Step 4: Block Time for Learning
Here’s the truth: your personal curriculum won’t happen if you don’t make time for it. Life will happily fill every gap if you let it.
The trick? Protect time like it’s an appointment you can’t cancel.
Maybe it’s Tuesday evenings with a cuppa, or Saturday mornings before the chaos of family time kicks in. Maybe it’s early mornings if that’s when your brain is sharpest. The point is to set a rhythm that works for you.
You don’t strict timetables. It’s not about perfection; it’s about consistency. Even 20 minutes a day adds up.
If you need help fitting it all in, check out Your Personal Curriculum Planner: How to Fit Learning Into a Busy Schedule. It’s full of realistic tricks to carve out time, even when life feels overwhelming.
Step 5: Refresh Regularly
This isn’t a prison sentence. You don’t have to stick with the same subjects forever. Switch them up every season, reset monthly themes, or just pivot if something’s not sparking joy anymore.
Life is good when you let yourself grow and evolve.
For example:
- Autumn = cooking, journaling, cosy self care.
- Winter = spiritual practices, home projects, hygge vibes.
- Spring = health, gardening, fitness.
- Summer = travel, photography, or simply prioritising a bit of “life well lived” downtime.
Remember, the goal isn’t to finish a set syllabus; it’s to create a rhythm of learning, curiosity, and growth that adapts as you do.
That’s what makes this approach so powerful, and so different from the rigid college semester structure most of us dreaded.
Why It Works (Even If You’re Not “Academic”)
Let’s be honest: not everyone thrived at school. Maybe you were the shy introvert who avoided group projects like the plague.
Or maybe you’ve always believed learning is only for the “academic” types. A personal curriculum flips that on its head.
This is learning on your terms. It’s making space for self care, for creative sparks, for health, for finance tips, or for pure curiosity. It’s designing a curriculum that gives you both practical skills and soulful grounding.
Whether you’re chasing financial freedom, finding joy in creative hobbies, or building spiritual practices that ground you, this approach helps you create a meaningful life without pressure.
And honestly? That’s what leads to a life well lived.
Read These Next
- 10 Cosy Subjects to Add to Your Personal Curriculum This Fall
- How to Create Fun ‘Assignments’ That Keep You Motivated
- Your Personal Curriculum Planner: How to Fit Learning Into a Busy Schedule
Conclusion
Building your own personal curriculum isn’t about perfection; it’s about carving out space for learning, self care, and joy.
Start simple, keep it playful, and let it evolve with you. Your future self will be so glad you did.
Next Steps
“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” – William Butler Yeats
- Read This Next: 10 Cosy Subjects to Add to Your Personal Curriculum This Fall
- Check out these other series and why: Fall Hormone Reset (perfect for a seasonal recharge) and Winter ARC Guide (your roadmap to staying energised when it’s dark and cold).
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