Best Coffee Shops in Clarksville, TN

January 28, 2026January 29, 2026 Essentially Better LivingLeave a comment

As a Clarksville native, I love my hometown, and I’m a passionate supporter of our locally owned coffee shops. As a coffee aficionado, I want to them to stick around. But as I’ve gotten to know the owners and baristas, I also want them to see them thrive. I wrote this post, not to rank order them, but in my meager efforts to help promote each of them.

Just a few years back, Clarksville was a city where Starbucks and Lasater’s were your options for coffee. Not throwing shade on Starbucks or Lasater’s – I love them too! You’ll even find Lasater’s featured here. But now we have a variety of options full of local charm. There are even more coffee shops than I have covered here, although these are my absolute favorite. Here they are in no particular order.

Asulon Collective

Asulon Collective is located Downtown Clarksville. The customer service is unmatched – everyone here is so friendly. Don’t be surprised if they remember your name or your order after just a visit or two.

Their hours are not the norm, 8:00-3:00. So go early! If you like to write or study, mornings on weekdays are recommended. I have made the trek here on more than one occasion, disappointed to find they were closed.

One of my favorite things about Asulon is getting the order “for here.” They put your drink in a real coffee cup, and the latte art is beautiful. The coffee is strong, and the vibe is cool.

The aesthetic of this coffee shop is like you would hope to discover while on vacation. If the weather is nice, they may open the big windows facing the Courthouse. They have games to play and conversation starter cards at each table. At Christmastime you can enjoy helping put together a community puzzle.

While you are here, be sure to explore Clarksville’s amazing downtown area. There are so many cute shops Downtown, and a good food scene, so plan to stay for awhile.

Location: 210 S 3rd St Suite C, Clarksville, TN 37040

Website: https://asuloncollective.com/clarksville-tn-coffee-house

Khairos Coffee

Another space you will love is Khairos Coffee. It’s located on Warfield Boulevard. The coffee and food are both amazing.

I honestly love the food here, more than the coffee. The avocado toast is highly recommended (pro tip: add bacon, leave off seasoning). Or you can try one of their croffles (think croissant meets waffle – SO GOOD). My daughters love the blueberry lemon bread – chef’s kiss!

Khairos is a great place for meeting with a group! You will often see church community groups, work meetings, and book clubs meeting here.

If it’s nice out, be sure to stroll or sit out on their beautiful patio area. There are fountains and little ponds with lily pads. So serene!

Location: 329 Warfield Blvd Suite H, Clarksville, TN 37043

Website: https://khairoscoffee.com/

Khairo’s Coffee
Khairo’s Coffee
Khairo’s Coffee
Khairo’s Coffee
Khairo’s Coffee

Blondie and Brownie

Blondie and Brownie started as a popular coffee truck. They now have their own free standing coffee shop located on the By-Pass.

This would be the perfect place to meet a girlfriend and have a nice chat. Be prepared to react with “oohs and ahhs” when you see the lovely interior. It’s decorated with all things pink and girly. I heard someone say it’s like being at Grandma’s house, but only in the best possible way! Be sure to peek in the bathroom while you’re there!

Location: 1549 Ashland City Rd, Clarksville, TN 37040

Website: http://www.blondieandbrowniecoffee.com/

Blondie and Brownie
Blondie and Brownie
Blondie and Brownie
Blondie and Brownie
Blondie and Brownie
Blondie and Brownie

The Coffee House South

The Coffee House South is the one of the cafes I frequent the most. My favorite thing about Coffee House South is the atmosphere.

I have mentioned other cafes having stellar customer service but this one is the best by far. They are just as kind to each other as they are to all of the other guests that pass through. The energy is just GOOD.

There are books at each table, local art, and the BEST music. It never feels crowded, even if there are guests at every table. It’s just that perfect hum of noise where you can focus and get work done. The lighting is dimmer, which I appreciate.

If you visit during fall/Halloween be sure to order a Ghost Latte (pictured below in slides). I am pretty simplistic with what I order, but I have heard the baristas honor custom orders for many guests. There isn’t much they can’t do.

It is the anti-Starbucks you’ve been looking for. It’s not crowded, somewhere you want to stay and linger instead of grab and go.

Location: 115 Excell Rd Ste E, Clarksville, TN 37043

Website:https://www.instagram.com/_thecoffeehousesouth_/

The Coffee House South
The Coffee House South
Ghost latte!

Beck’s Farmhouse Coffee

Beck’s Farmhouse Coffee located in Real Life Sango Church feels cozy and welcoming as soon as you enter the door. Aside from being located inside a beautiful church building, the coffee is hand-roasted and local and family owned. The lattes are fantastic!

What’s lovely about the cafe’s location within the church are the varied cozy and inviting spaces. There are enclosed meetings spaces, comfy couches and even a fireplace. There are plenty of large tables that offer room to spread out and study or write. The tables and sitting spaces are nicely spread to offer privacy and focus to get work done. There are areas with lots of natural light and outdoor seating as well, if that’s your preference.

The coffee area and church itself has lovely decor – ladies, be sure to stop by the women’s restroom! Visit on weekday mornings to avoid crowds and a more quiet, distraction-free workspace.

Location: 3575 Sango Rd, Clarksville, TN 37043

Website: https://becksfarmhousecoffee.com/

Seating by fireplace at Beck’s
Lots of tables to spread out and work at Beck’s
Outdoor seating at Beck’s
Ladie’s restroom at Beck’s

The Amsterdam

With its iconic bicycle and outdoor seating out front, The Amsterdam feels as though you’re walking into a European cafe. Near APSU campus and housing, it attracts college students and all locals alike.

The menu offerings are vast, and the coffee is good in strong. If you have dietary restrictions, this is a great place for you. It offers gluten-free food options as well as just about any type of milk you can think of for coffee.

The only downside to be aware of is parking. What appears to be the cafe parking lot is actually the parking lot for the apartment next door. Do not park there! You will get a ticket. You can park on the street, but those spots are few and hard to come by. The best bet is the lot on the right side of the street that runs beside Amsterdam.

The wait time to get your order taken and filled is longer than most, but it is worth the wait. That is only because of the popularity of the cafe and that each order is custom made.

Location: 518 Madison St, Clarksville, TN 37040

Website: https://www.instagram.com/theamsterdamlocal/?hl=en

The Amsterdam, Clarksville, TN
Avocado toast and latte at The Amsterdam, Clarksville
Latte at The Amsterdam

Plumb Line

No list of Clarksville’s best coffee shops would be complete without including Plumb Line. I visited recently, and it was thriving, lively, lattes and toast just as good as ever.

Two things stand out to me about Plumb Line. One is the strength of the espresso, second only to the ambiance. It’s nothing extravagant, but it’s always been a great workspace, where I can “lock in” and work as needed. You know how you either need either quiet or a nice buzz of layered conversation in order to concentrate? Plumb Line provides that nice conversational buzz where my brain thrives.

One thing to know that almost everyone I know will comment about Plumb Line is the cost. You WILL pay more here, but I do feel like it’s worth it.

Location: 124 University Ave, Clarksville, TN 37040

Website: http://plumblinecoffee.com/

Inside Plumb Line
Toast and latte at Plumb Line
Latte at Plumb Line

Lasater’s

Lasater’s is Christian owned, and have such friendly staff. Their lattes are great and less expensive than Starbucks.

On just about any given day, you will find folks working, meeting or studying in the booth area. If you need a quiet and more private space to work or study, whether you’re by yourself or with a friend or group, Lasater’s should top your list. The way that the booths are partitioned gives you a feel of privacy and helps minimize distractions. There are tables and comfy and outdoor seating offered as well.

There are games to play if you bring your kiddos. My children have both stated that Lasaters has the best hot chocolate!

Location: 894 TN-76 #101, Clarksville, TN 37043

Website: http://www.lasaterscoffee.com/

Thirsty Goat

Underrated for coffee! Clarksvillians typically associate Thirsty Goat with pizza and brews (and it is an EPIC beer garden.) However, as a latte lover, Thirsty Goat is one of the best at making handcrafted lattes. They serve them in large coffee mugs, not paper cups, unless you want that. The froth is lovely and velvety.

Their breakfast bagels are to die for. Imagine your typical breakfast bagel, but theirs are toasted to perfect in those wood-fired pizza ovens!

If you enjoy a coffee shop vibe for working or writing, Thirsty Goat is never crowded in the mornings. While it’s a popular beer garden, it remains underrated as a coffee shop. This is great for anyone who wants a workspace where you’re able to concentrate while enjoying your favorite coffee. Starbucks it is not! You won’t have to watch a whirlwind of 50+ people swirl in and out to get their carryout orders. It’s so peaceful!

Thirsty Goat also tops my list for local coffee shops because it does not wreak of fragrance. Sadly, so many coffee shops in Clarksville smell like you stepped inside a Glade Plug-in. Coffee shops should smell like delicious coffee, or wonderful food. If you are scent-sitive like I am, this a great space for you! It smells amazing in Thirsty Goat, but what you smell is that wonderful wood burning pizza oven.

I also love the music they play: imagine a mix of Jack Johnson, Zach Bryan and Bob Marley. It’s very chill, mahn.

Location: 4044 US-41 ALT South, Clarksville, TN 37043

Website: https://www.thirstygoatsango.com/

Outside Thirsty Goat
Inside Thirsty Goat
Mural at Thirsty Goat
Latte at Thirsty Goat

Yada

If you haven’t treated yourself to a latte and breakfast at Yada, then you are missing out. They start serving brunch at 10:30 on weekends offering classics such as biscuits and gravy, benedicts and French toast. I grab a seat by the window and it’s just a whole vibe. You have a lovely view of downtown, but also the lovely interior of the restaurant itself. It feels like you are doing something special for yourself. Update: Closed until February 2026 due to construction.

Location: 111 Franklin St, Clarksville, TN 37040

Website: https://yadaonfranklin.com/clarksville-yada-on-franklin-food-menu

Yada

BKLVA Coffee House

Whether or not you are interested in baklava, this coffee shop is not to be missed. I enjoyed the most delicious and beautiful hand-crafted latte. The atmosphere is so welcoming. You will easily rate it as one of the most aesthetically pleasing coffee shops in Clarksville. The customer service is outstanding.

If you’ve never had baklava, you should definitely try it! If you are worried about not knowing enough about baklava, don’t worry. They take their time explaining the different types of baklava to you. They are very patient with you making your decision. You cannot go wrong as they are all delicious.

If you are reading this, maybe you’re visiting Clarksville, or maybe you are a Clarksville resident? Regardless, I hope you fall in love with these coffee shops as much as I have. If you have a favorite cafe that is not shared here, please give it a shout out in the comments! You may have discovered one that I haven’t yet.

Free Things to do in Clarksville, TN

November 15, 2025December 30, 2025 Essentially Better LivingLeave a comment

If you are planning a visit to Middle Tennessee, Clarksville is not to be missed. Just a short 30-45 minute drive north of Nashville, Clarksville is a beautiful place to live, explore and visit. If you enjoy hiking, reading, the arts, live music, animals, local farmer’s markets or antiques, there is something for everyone. Our once small town has evolved into a city that’s rich with activity, and so much to do outdoors. What’s great is that many of the best things to do here are absolutely free.

Parks and Green Spaces

There are beautiful parks and green spaces to be found in Clarksville. Some of the best include Dunbar Cave Park, Liberty Park, Rotary Park, and local favorite, Clarksville Greenway. Each of these have paved or dirt trails and gorgeous foliage (especially in the fall). They are all kid and pet friendly, and easy hikes for folks of all ages to enjoy. They each allow you to escape into nature and forget about all of your cares when you’re there. They also each offer a canopy of shade to escape the hot sun in summer months. The color show that our fall foliage offers at each of these parks is unmatched.

Dunbar Cave State Park is your best chance of spotting wildlife and flora. It is the most visually stimulating, offering the most variety of different settings within one continuous hike. You can hike through a butterfly garden, find yourself in wooded seclusion, stroll across a bridge that passes over a pond, or hike directly to the cave itself. You will also find a very nice visitor’s center with clean restrooms and a gift shop.

Liberty Park is a large green space with so much to offer! It has one of the best (if not the best) playgrounds for kids. There is a lovely protected area where locals love to stroll, fish, and watch the geese. Or you can just sit on a bench and take in the beautiful surroundings. You will find indigenous plants, birds, fish and insects. While you’re at Liberty, you can walk to the Wilma Rudolph Event Center, or to the Marina. There is a big field where you will often find kids having sports practice. It’s also a perfect spot for flying kites in the spring. There is a dog park, and you will find no shortage of Clarksville natives walking their pets. There are several pavilions, including a large pavilion that offers clean restrooms and seasonal concessions. These pavilions can be reserved for birthday parties. You can learn more here.

Liberty Park
Liberty Park
Liberty Park

Rotary Park is a beautiful outdoor escape and local favorite. It’s by the water, perfect for a creek stomp. You can cool off in the refreshing streams that flow by, or simply admire its beauty. Rotary Park is also home to the Wade Bourne Nature Center. The center hosts art classes, events for children to interact with reptiles and other critters, and many other free activities. It is a beautiful facility inside and out. Be sure to take a stroll through the butterfly and pollinator garden, and out back is a birdwatcher’s dream. There are several birdhouses, hummingbird feeders and mounted binoculars. Take a walk along one of the many hiking trails, or have a picnic lunch at one of the pavilions. The playground is one of the newest and most modern we have have in Clarksville. It has a seesaw, swings for two and much more. There are several restrooms on-site, with the Bourne Center being the nicest and cleanest.

The trails at the park are extensive and have so much to offer. Rotary Park also has mountain bike paths, stretching over five miles. There is a remote control car path including its own track, ramp and climbing features. There is disc golf as well. Rotary Park is not to be missed and a Clarksville treasure. You can find out more here.

Rotary Park
Rotary Park
Rotary Park
Rotary Park
Rotary Park
Rotary Park

Clarksville Greenway, formerly an abandoned railway, offers 9 miles of paved walkways. This makes it the perfect place for walkers, joggers, bikers, pets and moms with strollers. Some of the trails offer the most breathtaking views. The trees and wildflowers that grow along the trails are truly beautiful. This is such a special place! There was a long-time issue with parking, but that has been completely resolved with more parking lots and trailheads. There is a bathroom located at the Pollard Road trailhead. If you are interested in more specifics and locations of the different trailheads you can find them here.

Clarksville Greenway

Farmer’s Markets and Night Markets

There was a time where Clarksville had only one Farmer’s Market. There are several offered now, on different days of the week and at different times. So no matter what your schedule, you should be able to find one that is available to you! Each of them offer such great atmosphere and energy. Even if you buy nothing, you will be so glad you came! There is often live music, always great people, and all are pet friendly!

Clarksville Downtown Market. This market is located in the heart of Clarksville, in Public Square. This is no doubt a favorite because our downtown has so much to offer. It is the market that has been the longest running and has the most vendors. There are also food trucks and a petting zoo for kids. There are quite a few charming shops, breakfast spots and cafes nearby. You can make a day of your visit.

Sango Night Market. This is a lively night market. You’ll find many of the same vendors who do the Downtown Market here as well. It is located at Real Life Sango church. The church building is also home to Beck’s Coffee. They have the garage doors open during the night market. So you can walk through, grab a drink or treat, then enjoy it in the open air. Consider parking at Sango Elementary School. While it may be more of a walk, it will be less stressful entering and exiting. The Sango Night Market takes place during warm weather months from 4-8 on Mondays.

Silo Night Market. This is located at Old Glory Distillery. Having dinner at Old Glory on their patio, then strolling through the market is a perfect night! This market has few vendors, but they are all amazing quality and worth your time. This market is great if you enjoy live music, drinks and a nice backdrop. Their outdoor area is so cute and charming – very Insta-worthy.) The Silo Night Market takes place from 5-7 on Thursdays.

Locations and hours for all of the farmers markets in Clarksville can be found here.

Other Free Things to Do in Clarksville

Customs House Museum. If you have children, this is a favorite! Children under 2 are free. Library members can get a family pass from the public library, but is must be used within 7 days. This IS how to get in the museum for FREE. Check out this link for more info. Located in beautiful Downtown Clarksville, our museum has so much to offer. Be sure to check out the train room that has the largest collection of toy trains, all fully functioning. Not to be missed is the children’s museum located downstairs. There is a little grocery store with little cash registers and shopping carts. The bubble cave is a crowd favorite where children can create giant bubbles, and completely enclose themselves in a bubble. Be sure to stop at the gift shop on your way out. It’s full of items that are sure to delight even the pickiest member of your group.

Customs Houst Museum

Clarksville Montgomery County Public Library – Main Branch. This is a local GEM. We visit libraries wherever we travel, and have found few that come close to ours. The children’s library is expansive and the children’s library program has so much to offer our local children. There is something for everyone: storytime on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the summer, book fairs, Lego days, movie days, crafts and so much more. The young adult section is so hip, cool and impressive. There are many computers and study rooms available. The building itself is gorgeous with beautiful skylights and balcony upstairs. So many comfy nooks and spaces to sit and read or study. Check out their website and follow them on Facebook to stay informed.

North Branch Library. The North Clarksville branch of the public library is a beautiful newer facility. Besides being a new building, this location offers so many inviting seating areas, indoors and out. While there aren’t nearly as many titles as the main branch, the copies are newer and better condition. I thought fewer titles would be a downside, but actually find it less overwhelming and easier to make a selection. Be sure to check out the library website for activities and programs offered here, especially for children.

Free Events at Downtown Commons. Downtown Commons is located downtown Clarksville and is an open venue that hosts numerous free events throughout the year. This includes live music such as Dueling Pianos, cover bands and other local bands. There are also outdoor movie screenings for families in the warmer months; they recently showed the Harry Potter movies. There are also free sunset and sunrise yoga classes. Children will love just running freely on the turf, playing lawn games, or splashing around in the water feature. Be sure to follow Downtown Commons on Facebook and Instagram as well as checking their Events tab on Facebook. You can also check out their website.

Miss Lucille’s Marketplace. A day spent strolling and browsing at Miss Lucille’s is a good day. There are hundreds of booths of vendors. Unlike other antique shops or vendor marketplaces, these are all of the highest quality and all so intriguing and captivating. Whether you love shopping the latest fashions, gadgets, antique shopping or looking for that perfect piece of furniture for your home, Miss Lucille’s appeals to all tastes and interests. They have events for moms at Mother’s Day, trunk or treat for kids at Halloween, and so much more. A description of Miss Lucille’s would not be complete without mentioning Miss Lucille’s coffee shop and cafe. They are local favorites. The strawberry basil lemonade is not to be missed, and the Picky Eunice salad is amazing. A perfect spot for brunch or lunch. You can learn more about Miss Lucille’s here.

Montgomery County Animal Shelter. This is a free and wonderful thing to do in Clarksville. You can walk, love on and play with animals, and even help out by doing something as simple as folding laundry (pet bedding). These are all ways to serve at the animal shelter. There is an orientation you must go through to be a volunteer, but it is very short. These take place Fridays and 4. Once you have gone through the training, you can show up anytime, sign in and interact with the animals. Learn more about how to adopt, support and volunteer here.

Jazz on the Lawn at Beachaven Winery. Jazz on the Lawn takes place at Beachaven Winery Fridays and Saturdays from 4:00-7:00, and on Sundays from 3:00-5:00. Be sure to check their website for specific artists and times. You can purchase any of the Beachaven wines on the premises, listen to live music, and enjoy local food trucks. Many love bringing a picnic dinner or charcuterie, picnic blanket and lawn chairs, then relaxing and enjoying the surroundings. Children will enjoy this venue, but must be accompanied by an adult at all times. There are wine flights, tastings and tours available, but again see their website for specific details and hours.

Visit Clarksville!

Clarksville has transformed from a simple small town to an amazing city with so much to offer. If you are a Clarksville resident or native, please share any other free things to do in the comments. Do you love any of the places shared in this post? If you can add any insights, I would love to hear from you in the comments as well. If you are new to the area or visiting, welcome! You are sure to leave here wanting to come back soon.

If you enjoyed this post, check out my post Things to do in Fall in Middle Tennessee.

inspiration · personal development · relatable · self help · wisdom

Mantras and Quotes for a Happier Life

August 30, 2025September 1, 2025 Essentially Better LivingLeave a comment

If you want to manifest a happier life, become a lifelong collector of positive quotes. Some positive quotes resonate on such a deep level that they become mantras. By definition, mantra is a word, phrase or sound that is repeated, often in prayer or meditation. Mantras help to focus the mind and to promote mental and spiritual well-being. Over time, positive quotes and mantras can weave themselves into your heart and soul. It can happen in such an integrated way that they change your life. You can access this valuable coping skill daily, even hourly.

Read on to learn some of the most life changing and impactful mantras and quotes for daily life. Anyone can learn these quotes and mantras, which starts by just reading them each day. Over time, they become a habit and a practice. The human mind tends to lean toward the negative. So you want to avoid living on autopilot, just thinking whatever thoughts fall into your head. You get to choose your thoughts, so you might as well choose good ones!

I’ve got this. This is such a common affirmation, that chances are you probably already say it multiple times a day. Even for seemingly menial tasks like carrying laundry downstairs and not wanting to drop anything. It is just a simple reminder in the moment that YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS.

“I get to instead” of “I have to.” How often do we say to ourselves that we HAVE TO do something? “I have to go to work/school.” “I have to take the kids to their appointment.” “I have to go to the store.” What’s interesting about the three examples, is that they’re privileges. If you’re honest with yourself, you may actually like doing those things. Saying “have to” to “get to” moves us from a place of dread to a place of gratitude.

I want to make myself proud. When you make the statement “I want to make myself proud,” it’s guiding you to alignment. It’s a reminder to be true to yourself and the type of person you want to be. At first, you might lean toward thoughts of guilt and areas where you have not felt proud of yourself. That’s normal! On a sheet of paper, make a two-column chart. On the left side jot down any of these areas. On the right, you list action steps of what you can do to make yourself proud in this area. Let’s say cleaning your house is an area you don’t always feel proud of. But you can break it down into small chores over time so that you will feel proud. You deserve a clean home. Your family deserves a clean space to live. And when you do things that move you in that direction, you feel proud.

What can I do today to make tomorrow even better? This one is a “magical sentence.” What would your life be like a year from now? Five, ten years from now – if you asked yourself this question every day? It’s one to cling to all day everyday, so much so that it can become your overall VIBE. Start thinking of things you can put into place now, so that tomorrow will run more smoothly. Engage in this practice throughout your day. We all probably do some version of planning ahead to put things in place for our future. Making this a daily mantra can change your life, adding so much peace and a sense of calm.

Assume positive intentions. If you’re someone who tends to be skeptical and cynical, this one is a game-changer. It reminds you to give others the benefit of the doubt. It will help you to become more trusting of others. It allows you to make the shift from assuming the worst in others to looking for the good. Which leads to the next mantra.

Look for the good. Look for the good in others, in yourself, in circumstances, and in difficulties. It will shift your negative thinking to a more positive way of looking at everything. You can place post-its with this quote in areas where you spend a lot of time. Each day, and even in the present moment, ask yourself what good can be found. The impact of this simple daily process will train your brain to look for (and find) a better life.

Things are getting better all the time. Say this to yourself daily. It will help you make this mindshift change: The things that lie ahead are going to be much greater than anything that you’ve left behind. Of course, no one is so naive as to think you won’t have adversity. But you should recognize and believe that the mind is powerful. Our thoughts are powerful. You want to manifest a great life for yourself and your family. Believing that the things your heart wants are coming is an important part of the process of becoming.

Who I am in Christ. This is a series of mantras that come from Joyce Meyer, author and speaker. How often do we get in our own heads? We say negative things about ourselves, focusing on all the things that we think are wrong with us. What if you spent that same mental energy focusing on what is right about you? What if you focused on who God says you are? You can find a sermon where Joyce Meyer shares these. Just do a simple Google or YouTube search for “Who I am in Christ Joyce Meyer.” Be prepared for an emotional reaction when you hear them aloud. You may tear up, the truth resonating with every fiber of your being. Again, you can find a similar and equally powerful list of mantras in this post. Consider printing them out and posting them somewhere you will see them everyday. Better yet, write them out. That way you can commit them to memory and hold them in your heart and mind.

My sincere hope is that you can find and apply any one or more of these mantras to your life. The consistent daily practice of repeating them will elevate your thinking. Your improved thinking will change your life. Namaste.

teaching

The Ultimate Back to School Checklist for Teachers

July 29, 2025July 30, 2025 Essentially Better Living1 Comment

All those in favor of teachers getting time to work in their classroom on staff development days, say “aye!” Teachers everywhere hope and pray for this scenario. Yet in reality, we find ourselves immersed in non-stop PD for every one of these days. After years of hoping, I have made the shift to coping and problem solving. I’ve created a master list of “things to do before school starts,” that I want to share with you here. It will mean you have to come in and extra couple of days. But if you will execute this list, your stress level will be significantly lower. Not to mention, your attitude will be SO much better for it! Consider doing all of this TWO WEEKS before school starts. So that the last week of summer is YOURS.

Pro-tip: Copy these lists to your Notes app on your phone and make it a clickable bullet list. Feel free to edit and make it your own. It is so satisfying to mark each of these complete! You will also have it saved for next year and every year!

Clean and organize

Buy needed supplies for classroom + paper towels
Order label maker tape/batteries
Order new planner, desk calendar
Keys to room
All furniture in place
Clean counters, cabinets, drawers
Curtains up
Scrape old letters off white board, hot glue off surfaces, remove old staples
Restock desk, teacher station
Reorganize supplies
Re-label class period on drawers, trays, bins
Label supplies
Re-label days of week for makeup work station, trays, bins
Inventory classroom needs and make list of these

Room Decor

Locate Anchor Charts for first unit
Word Wall for first unit
Calendar bulletin board
Student work bulletin board
New white board letters up
Put up posters
Student supplies organized and accessible

Technology

Connect to printer and projector, and test
Power on Clear Touch and log on
Doc reader set up
Sync and test microphones
Plug in all power strips
Connect extra monitor
Turn in technology work orders
Able to video record from Doc Reader?
Update teacher website for new school year

Other/Sanity Maintenance to do BEFORE Beginning of Year PD. (These are those things you think admin should give you time for. But they can’t. Their supervisors expect them to plan PD for us. I remind myself of this so I can be at peace and have a better attitude on these days.)

Lesson plans turned in for first week
Set up Google Classroom/Class Codes
Update Parent Letter
Update Syllabus
Update Daily Slide for first day
Copies for 1/2 day and first full day, back to school night (including syllabus and parent letter)
Back to School Night slide show
Amazon Teacher wishlist with QR code for parents
Seating Charts – (If rosters are available)
Candy for first week of school treats
Schedule library class visit
Put in for days off -appointments

This is your master list for teachers to do before the first day back. If you have other things that you do to prepare, please share! I hope these lists will give you a smoother start to your year. I also hope that you will feel less stress and more at ease this new school year.

If you appreciated this post, follow me on WordPress so that you will get email notifications for future posts. Also check out my list of Overlooked Teacher Gadgets You Need for Setting Up Your Classroom. Have a great year!

teaching

Overlooked Teacher Gadgets You Need for Setting Up Your Classroom

July 26, 2025July 29, 2025 Essentially Better LivingLeave a comment

You’re getting ready to set up your classroom. You’ll be sure to have a stapler, bulletin board border, and all of those cute and obvious items you need. As a veteran teacher, I want to share with you a few small overlooked items that make a huge difference! They make your life EASIER! I am also linking to my Instagram Stories so you can see them in action!

This magnetic staple remover. It is so much better than the claw type. The claw version will tear up your border, paper and cute items! This removes the staple with minimal damage.
Magnet wand. Have you ever found yourself on your hands and knees picking up stray staples? Have you ever swiped a bunch of staples into your hand only to be stuck by one? If you have, your wheels are already turning wondering why this item isn’t already in your life. This magnet wand is just what you need for picking up all those staples you remove from your bulletin boards.
Putty knife. Need to scrape vinyl letters off your white board? This tool is your best friend. It makes quick work of the job so you can move on to something else. I use it for dozens of other small jobs around my room as well. Must have!
Magnetic level. If you need to apply vinyl letters to a white board or any other magnetic item, this is priceless. They will go on straight, effortlessly.

Check out my Instagram Stories (“Teaching 2” Highlight) to see these gadgets in action in my own classroom. Follow me for more ideas!

These tools can make your job easier and help you be more efficient. If you appreciated this post, follow me on WordPress. You’ll be sure to get an email notification for future posts that way. Also check out my post, Master To Do List for Teachers Before Going Back to School. I am an Amazon Affiliate and can receive compensation for the items included in this post.

essential oils · health · natural lifestyle

Why I Chose Young Living

May 26, 2025 Essentially Better Living1 Comment

In 2013, I experienced the bittersweet paradox of losing my mom to Alzheimer’s and giving birth to my daughter in the same year. It was then that I started pursuing a healthier, more natural way of living. I was searching for natural remedies to help promote memory for my mom before she passed, while at the same time learning healthier habits during my pregnancy and for my new baby following her birth. Since then, I have become passionate about health and wellbeing for myself, the ones I love, and really for everyone.

This was the beginning of my essential oils journey and I continue to use the protocols I that I learned during that difficult season of my life today. I consider myself to be a lifelong learner, always building and expanding on my knowledge of essential oils and wellness and sharing it with others. My personal mission is to promote natural health and wellness options to others and educate about harmful chemicals found in our daily products that are so heavily promoted and sadly trusted world-wide. Media and popularity evoke a feeling in us that what is common is normal and therefore safe. I want to challenge you to see it different: What’s healthy should be our normal, not what’s popular.

We have normalized antibiotics. When my girls were little, antibiotics seemed to be doctors’ answer to every ear infection and virus that we encountered, but I was simultaneously reading and learning about how too many prescribed antibiotics can weaken the immune system, impacting the gut microbiome. I realized they were annihilating the good bacteria as well as the bad, and making my children more susceptible to future illness. It’s why your child may be given an antibiotic only to immediatly catch another virus. I’ve seen it over and over with friends’ kids.

This led me to discovering THIEVES and a host of other immune system building protocols. This also led to me becoming the guardian of the threshold of my home – mindful of the foods we were eating and products we were using. Understanding that the air we breathe and what we put on our skin matters as much as the food we consume. The best change that you will make for your family is becoming discerning and skeptical about the products marketed to you.

This includes FRAGRANCE and PROCESSED FOODS. If you are wondering “if these are so bad, why are they allowed to be sold?” I have BILLIONS of reasons for you, and it is spelled M-O-N-E-Y. We are the least healthy generation that has ever lived on this planet. Our grandparents and their parents ate from the earth. They worked and moved and exercised all day long. They did not have the fertility issues that we have – they did not have hormone disrupting artificial fragrance (read that again). Yes, artificial fragrances can disrupt hormones and may impact fertility. Endocrine disruptors, including phthalates and parabens, found in many scented products, can interfere with hormone function, potentially leading to reproductive problems.

Past generations didn’t even have access to all the drugs that we have. They relied on herbs and botanical tinctures that God put here for us. Why is it that people are so trusting of man-made drugs, but skeptical and downright resistant to the oldest pharmaceutical available – natural and plant based options?

I was particularly awakened to the impact artificial ingredients and food sensitivities can have when our oldest daughter (who is now a teen) struggled with severe and frequent migraine headaches. She showed dramatic improvement after we tried diet alterations (stemming from sensitivity to sugar, reactions to artificial colors and not drinking enough water). To protect her and our family, I became even more determined to be mindful of what we ate and brought into our home.

Young Living has ESSENTIALLY developed a non-toxic alternative for every toxic product we have in our homes. This thoughtful and innovative company has checked so many boxes for our family: 100% pure therapeutic grade essential oils (we use oils instead of meds for most physical ailments and especially to PREVENT THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE), bath and skincare products (from Lavender Lotion to Satin Mint Facial Scrub), non-toxic cleaner (Thieves Cleaner), high quality supplements. Young Living has became my one-stop shop for all things natural and has continued fill this need for our family for almost ten years now.

I continue to pursue a better lifestyle and live life by a mantra “things are getting better all the time.” We are constantly seeking out more real food and less ultra-processed foods. Maintaining a chemical free home something I will strive for as long as I live (I still have a lot to learn and many more changes to make!). As a result, I’m always seeking healthier options and research on improving health because we will never know it all, and there is always more to learn. You can be sure that as I do, I will be sharing it with others.

essential oils · natural lifestyle

Making the Switch to Thieves Cleaner

April 30, 2025 Essentially Better LivingLeave a comment

We made the switch to Thieves products ten years ago and it has been one of the best changes we have made for our family.

Thieves products are plant based, all natural and potent! A picture is worth a thousand words. Just look at the image below to see how Thieves responds to bacteria vs its chemical laden counterparts. And of course Thieves oil is a key ingredient in Thieves Cleaner so it smells amazing!

Teacher friends, my students with asthma and respiratory issues comment that they can actually breathe in my room. And everyone comments on how good my room smells. No one likes hearing this but: Ditch those Clorox wipes and Lysol!

If you have been looking to make the switch but hesitant due to cost, you actually may want to consider Thieves Household Cleaner.

It’s a concentrate so you just use two capfuls in an empty spray bottle and fill the rest of the way with water. This costs pennies and it’s so easy!

The bottle of concentrate that I currently have has lasted more than 6 months and it’s still not empty. I make a bottle for the bathroom, kitchen and one for my classroom.

Added benefits include: not breathing in harmful chemicals, no sneezing, nose burning or throat closing as a consequence of this.

The quality of the air you breathe, and that your family breathes matters. This is especially true if anyone in your household has severe allergies, asthma or other respiratory issues.

Screenshot/pm me your order of Thieves Cleaner today and I will gift you with my very favorite spray bottle!

Link to Thieves products (game changer!) https://tinyurl.com/36fay7s8

relatable

Saying Goodbye to a Car You Love

April 26, 2025April 26, 2025 Essentially Better LivingLeave a comment

The past few weeks I have tried imagining our life without my beloved Santa Fe, and I never imagined I would be this sad about giving up a vehicle.

I asked my family and close friends to help me understand why I was so depressed about giving up this car. I have even cried about it on more than one occasion. Instead of teasing me, they were so sympathetic and empathetic. They helped me see I wasn’t crazy or irrational. It leads me to believe that this may be more common than I had realized, perhaps even universal. There are several reasons for this, I think.

We live our life in our cars. My husband reminded me how many memories we’ve made and how many road trips we’ve been on. Our children have grown up in this car. They were age 4 and 8 when we got it, and we’ve had it for 7 years! I looked back at old photos of our kids and this car, and invoked even more tears.

My favorite memories are the vacations and beach trips we’ve taken. We’ve been to Charleston, Tybee Island, Florida, and Gulfport. We believe in enjoying the journey as much as the destination so seeing that rocket at the Tennessee Alabama state line, going to Bucee’s and grabbing a peach milkshake at Peach Park will long live in our memory banks.

The day to day errands and running the girls to all the things are equally memorable. We’ve been on Girl Scout camping trips, to Space Camp, soccer games, gymnastics, swim team, horse riding lessons, piano, guitar, and all of the other activities the girls have explored. We’ve taken car rides with the girls’ friends with the sunroof open singing Taylor Swift and Morgan Wallen at the top of our lungs. The time spent in our cars with family and friends means so much, but so does the time we drive solo.

We spend so much time by ourselves in our cars. It has been a safe haven and a quiet space for me when life has been hard, but also such a place of joy as I have spent these 7 years exploring exactly who I want to be going forward in life. Going for a drive can be an escape. It can be therapeutic and even healing. I’ve had many a good cry, gotten frustrated with Siri for botching my voice-to-texts, and yelled at many a bad driver – if only they could hear what I’m saying!! Taking a drive by ourselves in the car can also just be downright fun. So much glorious daydreaming and the best music, cranked up loud.

I love all of the bougie features of my Santa Fe. I love my heated seats and steering wheel. I love my power everything, large and numerous cupholders, and I love the third row with the option to fold it down. Above all, I love my pano sunroof the most.

As days passed coming to terms with saying farewell to my beloved car, and I continued to feel sorrowful, I felt the need to write this in order to process all the feelings. I am reminded of the quote that goes “don’t cry because it’s over, be smile because it happened.”

health · inspiration · personal development · self help · teaching

Achieve Work-Life Balance as a Teacher

April 7, 2025 Essentially Better LivingLeave a comment

Over the years as a teacher, I have observed my colleagues stay at school way into the night hours, take stacks of work home, and complain they have no time for themselves or their families. Some even come to school to work on the weekends. They struggle with home-work balance, finding time to be a great parent, teacher, friend, family member. Their workload takes its toll on their mental and physical health. If there is a complement I consistently receive from other teachers, it’s that I have good home-work balance. Part of this stems from placing a priority on my inner peace above and beyond else, but there also are many habits and protocols I have put into place over the years to accomplish this. I realize there are countless blogs and posts on self care, but this one is for my teacher friends.

Set boundaries.

Teaching can consume all of your time if you allow it to. There is always something else to do! You have to start by setting some time boundaries. Now, I am not one of those teachers who spend all their time at school, but nor am I one who gets there at the last minute as buses are unloading and driving off as buses pull out. I come in an hour before kids and often stay an hour after my contracted day. I am motivated to be a great teacher and I love my students! But I also love my family and protecting and guarding my own mental and physical wellbeing. You will never look back ten years from now and think “I wish I spent more time at work,” but you may wish you spent more time with your family, chasing your dreams and taking care of your health.

When you’re thinking about setting time boundaries, set a time that you can be consistent with and agree with yourself that you will stop working and leave at that time daily. For me, the school day ends at 2:30 and I am committed to leave at 3:30. That is a personal time boundary to set for yourself that allows you to get your work done, but also have time for your family and for yourself.

You can’t pour from an empty cup.

You have also probably heard the expression that you can’t pour from an empty cup. Some of the things you should consider doing to fill your cup are:

Exercise (bonus points if this includes a yoga class once a week)
Go to a spa, get a massage, or go to the infrared sauna once a week (*stay tuned* – future post topic)
Allow yourself to indulge in a hobby whether that’s reading, writing, art, or playing an instrument
Get outside. Work in the garden. Take a neighborhood walk or go for a hike – make it a point to get outside and get some sunlight.
Make a point to go outside and get some sunlight EVERY DAY during your lunch break or planning at school. This helps your circadian rhythm and will help you sleep through the night. Hit me up in the comments if you want to know more about circadian rhythm or you can Google it.
Start taking a magnesium supplement. This will also help promote sleeping through the night.
Consider quitting drinking – that’s a whole different post.

My list is a little different than your typical “self-care list.” That’s because TRUE self care means taking care of yourself. Not filling yourself with gluten or breathing in artificial fragrance from scented candles. Not lounging on the couch for hours and binging shows. Not coming home and napping which disrupts your natural circadian rhythm and is no doubt the reason you can’t sleep at night.

Redefining self care.

While some think of self care as comfort, true self care means you’re improving your health and not detracting from it. True self care means taking care of yourself. If you get on Pinterest and type in “self care,” you’ll no doubt see suggestions like binging your favorite show, napping, having a glass of wine, enjoying your favorite comfort food or lighting scented candles (learn more about exposure to artificial fragrance here). However these all lower your immune system or interrupt your sleep. Take this challenge if you wouldn’t mind humoring me: list the things you do for self care and make a two column table beside it. Label one column “raises my immune system” and the second one “lowers.” If you go back and reread my list of self-care items, they are basically exercise, getting sunlight exposure, getting extra sleep during the night, and eating healthy. These all BOOST the immune system.

We find time (and energy) to do the things that matter to us.

If you are mentally pushing back, thinking how can you take a walk or exercise when you are exhausted from the school day, I hear you! Me too! But that’s the thing and the mindshift change you have to make. YOU GO ANYWAY. I rarely feel like going, but once I’m there I enjoy the routine and I feel AMAZING afterward. I think we mistakingly think of exercise as energy draining, but in actually it is life-giving! You will sleep so much better and you will feel so much stronger and more energized the next day. You will feel proud of yourself for doing it and more confident because your clothes will fit better.

Better sleep, better life.

The amount and quality of your sleep are paramount to your overall mental and physical health. Quality sleep belongs in this post because it’s a time boundary you need to set for yourself and a priority you have to set as well. Make sure that you are going to bed early enough to allow yourself the change to get 8 hours of sleep or rest. The big three that help me go to sleep and stay asleep are taking a magnesium gummy before bed (I like these), diffusing lavender and cedarwood in your bedroom, and temperature – keep your space cool and pile on extra blankets as needed. If you struggle with either going to sleep or staying asleep, I would encourage you to read my post on quality sleep, as there is much more to this than what I am sharing here.

Do your work at work (and how you can do this better.)

I VERY RARELY take any work home with me. The number one way I’m able to accomplish that is by setting planning, lunchtime and before/after school boundaries. In short, I close my door. Now a student here or there may need me and knock on my door, but for the most part, just by closing my door I’m able to work uninterrupted. This is not to be antisocial, but it gives me the time that is the topic of this entire post. I have also realized over the past few years as I have pinpointed my stressors and worked to minimize them, that interruptions are very high on the list. By setting the closed door boundary, I have minimized my interruptions, increased my productivity, and lowered my stress level.

Right or wrong, I eat in my classroom. I’m able to multi-task and get papers graded and recorded while I eat. My lunch is typically composed of finger food so it’s easy for me to be able to eat while I work. Then, as I mentioned earlier in this post, I make sure to get sunlight during this time. I set a timer to go off 8 minutes before students return. This gives me time to walk outdoors to the nicer faculty bathroom and wash my hands using nice hot water. There’s also a water bottle filling station there so I can refill my water bottle with ice and cold water.

Whether you are a teacher or not, a parent or not, the strategies and boundaries shared in this post can help anyone who is wanting to improve their sleep, energy, time management and quality of life. Please share your favorite tip in the comments and let me know if you have other suggestions for how teachers can set better boundaries and prioritize themselves.

health · inspiration · personal development · self help · wisdom

Designing Your Perfect Day

March 14, 2025June 5, 2025 Essentially Better LivingLeave a comment

Designing your perfect day is one of the best choices you can make to bring joy into your life. It’s the idea that begins with simply making a list of all of the things you would do on your ideal, perfect day. All of your favorite things! This can be paper/pencil or on the Notes app of your phone. You can start as soon as today! I’m suggested here, to be clear, not only thinking about planning, but executing your perfect day! You can repeat this several times a year!

Consider making a promise to yourself this year is to take a day each month, just to focus on yourself – your wants, needs and dreams. This can be a weekday or a weekend, but just making sure to do it. We get so busy in the rush of life, that we forget to take care of ourselves. Before we know it, weeks, months and even years have passed and all of the hopes and vision we had for our life have been placed on hold. And we don’t even realize we’re doing it. We forget to do basic care and maintenance for our bodies. We forget to rest. Our health can suffer the consequences.

Taking one day each month can be a game changer. It gives you the PERMISSION and the OPPORTUNITY to stop and check in with what matters to you. There are some mindset shifts, exercises, processes and ideas that can help you to plan and execute this.

Mindset matters. On days like this, it can be easy to fall into the trap of doing work. If you are the workaholic, busy type like many of us are, it can be easy to take a day off for yourself, only to realize you spent it working or running errands. You have to be intentional and set boundaries. Don’t let yourself work and keep your mind set on this the entire day. Don’t check your email, and if possible, try and stay off your devices. Your only goal is to do what suits you! You are worthy and deserving of this.

To keep your perfect day centered around things you love and enjoy, there are several exercises you can use to remind yourself of your hobbies and interests, and processes that you will love to use for planning them. These processes can be done using the Notes app on your phone, Google Slides, or just using a pen and paper!

One of the best exercises you can implement using the Notes app of your phone. Create a note called “What matters to me.” Add a few things now that resonate, but continue to touch back and add to it as sort of an ongoing bulleted list for you. And along with that Note of things that matter to you, include a second Note called “my perfect day.” If you are more of a paper/pencil person, that works great too!

On your “my perfect day” Note, make a bucket list of all the things you would do on YOUR perfect day. Before you do, close your eyes and visualize yourself going through that day in the most delighted state imaginable. Elizabeth Gilbert shared an exercise for this on her podcast, where you close your eyes and visualize the most beautiful setting you can imagine, your favorite scent, the most delightful enjoyable sound, and the most cozy and satisfying fabric on your skin. For me, I’m at the beach viewing beautiful vistas at sunrise, listening to the waves crashing and the sound of birds, wearing my favorite fleece robe and smelling the aroma of my favorite coffee. When I did this exercise, it helped me know that being outdoors, enjoying coffee and watching the sunrise belong on that perfect day list. Close your eyes and go through each of your five senses and include the five things that come to your mind.

Another exercise that will help to design and plan your perfect day, is similar to creating a vision board. You open a blank Google slide and create a collage of images – things that you find are fun, that give you energy, or that are meaningful. Spend some time on this! Keep a tab open for this slide at all times so you can add to it and so that it’s always evolving. This exercise will help you to add other items to your perfect day list. Keeping a slide or list of the things that bring you joy will help you to be more intentional when you do take that day just for you. This helps make sure it isn’t wasted and that every second is spend on the things that make you happy!

Once you have a perfect day “bucket list” or Google slide vision board or both, don’t feel like you have to do all of the things, but instead use it as a way to be intentional and to inspire you. You will be excited the days and weeks leading up to your perfect day. It puts you in such a delightful planning state, trying to pick the exact activities that you think will bring you the most joy at that time. Become a perpetual LIST MAKER. Look over your Google slide, your bucket list, Notes on your phone and pick a few of those things, but always leave room for inspired action – to be spontaneous.

Your perfect day will include all of the things that bring you joy. Some ideas include going for a walk, treating yourself to your favorite coffee or smoothie, writing, yoga, sauna, have lunch with a friend, cast vision for your life, reading scriptures or positive quotes. Find quiet and solace in a bookstore or library and grab books filled with quotes and inspiration that fill your soul. You can also make sure on these days to schedule appointments that will make sure your body is as high functioning as it can be so that I will be strong and able bodied for your grandchildren and their children. Schedule an appointment with your therapist and at the chiropractor for these days. Healthy spine, healthy you. And seeing a therapist is what healthy people do. Seriously. It is so cathartic to feel truly heard and seen by someone. Lunch with your best friend can also serve this purpose.

When creating your list of things that bring your joy, be sure to incorporate visiting new places. It can be so inspiring to try new things and go on a short adventure. Go try that new restaurant for lunch that you’ve been dying to try. Anything life-giving. Outdoor walks. Time in the sunshine (vitamin D).

Consider what larger cities you live near. I live near Nashville, so love going to the zoo or Cheekwood or walking a trail at Radnor Lake, with NO TIME PRESSURE. I love simple things like going to Target at a time when it isn’t crowded or busy and I can linger on each aisle as long as I like (in particular I love the “good Target’) and Trader Joes on White Bridge Road in Nashville. I love Raising Cane’s. I love lattes and flat whites.

What does your perfect day look like? What aspects of designing a perfect day struck a chord with you? I hope this dive into designing your perfect day has inspired you to consider your own. Do you take days like this for yourself? What could you start putting into place so that you could incorporate days like this into your life? Do you see the value in it? Can you visualize it? Making lists of things that spark joy for you is a great place to start. Be intentional about scheduling days like this for yourself. Block them off on your calendar and stick to it. You will be so glad that you did.

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