Editor’s note: This is a guest post by Brooke McAlary of Slow Your Home.
“Be not afraid of going slowly; be only afraid of standing still.” – Chinese Proverb
I am a writer. I am a wife. I am a mother. I am an inappropriate laugher.
I am also a passionate advocate of simple living, rational minimalism, living with less – whatever you want to call this movement we are part of.
I came to both minimalism and writing in my darkest times, and I don’t think that is a coincidence. I was lost and despairing. Taking control of my life and rediscovering my creative passions have helped me carve out a life of intention, happiness and purpose. And it’s freaking awesome.
There is a book on writing I love. It’s called ‘Bird by Bird’ by Anne Lamott. It’s filled with writing advice, huge belly laughs and incredible insights into the particular breed of weird that is a creative author.
My copy is well-thumbed and lives on my desk, next to where I currently sit.
The title comes from a story Anne Lamott tells of her older brother. He is ten years old and struggling to start, let alone finish, a paper on birds. He has had three months to complete it, and the paper is due the next day.
He was at the kitchen table close to tears, surrounded by binder paper and pencils and unopened books on birds, immobilised by the hugeness of the task ahead.
Despairing, he pleads with his father for advice on how to start – and finish.
Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird.
In other words: Don’t think about the whole paper. Just start with one bird. Finish that bird. Then move on.
And son? Do it now.
As a writer, I loved the simplicity of the advice – just get it down bit by bit, word by word. One thought at a time.
As a minimalist, I was inspired – start with one thing, work it through, then move on. Bit by bit, piece by piece.
Bird By Bird: The Slow Guide to Minimalism
Honestly, creating a life of simplicity is easy. You simply begin.
The hard part is not looking too far ahead. Focusing on the bird in front of you, not the flock above. That’s when we falter, when it seems too much, too hard, too long, too sad, too emotional.
First, Take One Step.
Every journey begins with just one step. Simplifying your life, becoming a minimalist, living with less – this journey is no different. It begins with one step, one decision, one action.
It may be that you:
- Toss out the pair of favorite sneakers that are falling apart.
- Clear out the junk drawer in your kitchen.
- Say no to a commitment that has been draining you for too long.
- Clear out under the couch.
- Tidy your desk into a minimalist desk.
Then, Bird by Bird
As you finish with that first step, the next one will become apparent. Just trust the process and resist temptation to look too far ahead.
- Once the sneakers are gone, you will see the clothes you no longer wear.
- When the junk drawer is empty, you will move on to the utensils.
- Once you’ve cancelled your draining commitment, you will notice the time you waste on Facebook.
- When the floor under the couch is clear, you will notice the overflowing bookshelf.
- After your desk is orderly, you will see the piles of paperwork that need filing.
Bird by bird.
It all starts with one decision. A decision to forge a better life. A decision to say no. A decision to value people over things. A decision to let go.
That particular decision is yours. The important part is that you make one, follow it through, then move forward.
Bird by bird.
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Brooke McAlary helps families live more simple and mindful lives at Slow Your Home.
Kimberly says
Beautiful post. I love the simplicity of it. I know the book, but never applied the idea to minimalism. Thank you for creating that connection for me.
saida says
I’m in the process of de-cluttering my home and although I’m proud of the progress I’ve made, I look around sometimes and it feels overwhelming. Thanks, Brooke. This was just what I needed to take my next baby step!
Clay says
Very inspiring post… You’re right, it always starts with small steps before we enjoy it so much that we keep doing so :)
Lisa says
Great advice. Bird by bird or step by step, it’s all the same. Looking at the big picture can be overwhelming but taking small steps can make all the difference.
Faith | Simplify Magazine says
This is a great post, Brooke. I loved it!
I adopted my minimalist mindset at a time when I was overwhelmed. I wanted a drastic change to the clutter and over-consumption I felt surrounded by. I tried to wrangle a whole bunch of “birds” at once and wound up feeling exhausted. I think your “bird by bird” approach is similar to taking baby steps. You’ll still reach your goal, one step at a time.
For me, the hardest part about minimalism is realizing living with less is a continuous process. It’s kind of like running laps….you’ll wiz by that finish line more than once. So that’s another great reason to take it slow. That you way can maintain your commitment and energy for making those daily choices.
Dan says
I read articles on simplicity all the time, but for some reason, when you connected it with one of my favorite books, it clicked for me.
Not to mention the suggestions you made (sneakers, junk drawer, etc..) were so doable.
living simply doesn’t have to be a major transition or event. You can do it “bird by bird.”
Thanks, Brooke!
Life [Comma] Etc says
Love, love, love this. Thank you for your insights!
ODW says
This is so true. I have recently started ‘clearing the clutter’. I find I always fall off the wagon when I start looking too broad and then I bog down. Thank you for this reminder.
Ashley says
This is a great article – taking things “bird by bird” applies to so many areas of my life right now, and not just simplicity. Thank you for the heartening message.
Ginny says
I am also a creative writer and the book by Anne Lamont has long been a staple on my reference shelf, one I reach for more often than others. Another chord you struck is one of coming to minimialism and writing during the darkest of times. Through a series of circumstances that I was sure would break me emotionally and financially, I found simplicity. I now seek to de-clutter any area in my life that causes chaos or leads to pain. I am learning to let go of those painful memories that, for years haunted me yet drug me back into their grip like an addiction. By letting go of that mind clutter we make room for joy and happiness. I am glad I found your site. Thank you for all you share.