Brooke McAlary - Destination Simple: Everyday Rituals for a Slower Life

DESTINATION SIMPLE

Brooke McAlary

www.headofzeus.com

We live life in the fast lane. We race to keep up with the Joneses. We are over-worked, over-connected and over-stressed, and we compete over how busy and important and sleep-deprived we are. But we dont have to.

Theres an ever-growing group of people opting out of a life lived at 110%. They are choosing to slow down, simplify, say no and focus on the things that are truly important. Brooke McAlary is one of them.

In Destination Simple , Brooke McAlary shows readers that no matter how busy you are, you too can feel in control of your days; minimise stress; find pockets of peace on even the busiest day; empty your mind and sleep better.

Destination Simple shows us how a few changes to the flow of daily life can create long-term, lasting change.

To my family: Youve been the making of me. I love you all to the moon and back.

To everyone who has read or listened to Slow Your Home over the past few years: thank you.

Hi, Im Brooke! Im a thirty-something recovering burnout living in the Blue Mountains, just outside Sydney, Australia, with my wonderful family, dog, chickens and ever-evolving garden. Im a writer, an inappropriate laugher and an advocate for the best things in life siestas, time spent outside, travel and the lost art of doing nothing. Im also someone who, after a period of darkness, ill-health and upheaval, decided to simplify my life and the life of my family.

Step by step. Piece by piece. Day by day.

And largely, Ive been successful.

Ive decluttered our family home of thousands of unwanted items and organised it to a point that works for us. I feel physically lighter and am more content, and am prone to unexpected bursts of happiness. I also dance while sweeping, sing while driving and actually enjoy playing with my kids. Im a changed person and my family is a changed family, all because we adopted the idea of living more simply.

I hope youll join me

Were so caught up in trying to do everything, experience all the essential things, not miss out on anything important

We cant read all the good books, watch all the good films, go to all the best cities in the world, try all the best restaurants, meet all the great people Life is better when we dont try to do everything.

Learn to enjoy the slice of life you experience, and life turns out to be wonderful.

LEO BABAUTA

In the modern world we live life in the fast lane. We race to keep up with the Joneses. We are overworked, overconnected and overstressed, and we compete over how busy, important and sleep-deprived we are. But we dont have to.

An ever-growing number of people are opting out of a life lived at 110%. They are choosing to slow down, simplify, say no and focus on the things that are truly important. Im one of them, and deciding to live a slower, simpler life has been hands down one of the best decisions Ive ever made, for both my own wellbeing and that of my family.

Before I chose to slow down and simplify, I was an overwhelmed, overcommitted wreck. I was so stressed I could barely function. I realised later that I had lived my entire adult life in a state of low-grade panic. There was no downtime, no peace, no space, no margin, no buffer and nothing remotely close to slow.

I spent my days trying to do dozens of things at once and becoming increasingly frustrated that I was doing none of those things well. I wasnt present as a parent, partner, friend, business owner, daughter or sister. I felt fractured but completely incapable of taking my foot off the accelerator. If I slowed down, wouldnt all the delicate balls I had in the air smash on the floor, leaving me with nothing to show for any of it? Truth be told, I was terrified.

We know theres more to life than constant rush, excess stuff, endless notifications, breakfast in the car and mindless TV at the end of the day. We catch occasional glimpses of that something more downtime, uncluttered headspace, wandering, spontaneity, a moment spent lingering in the sunshine but more often than not is covered in a thick layer of shoulds, must haves, to dos and need-to-be-seens. Were terrified of what well discover if we let ourselves slow down, if we take the time to question our decisions, if we open ourselves up to some self-awareness.

This little book is a hard-won collection of ideas that worked for me as I learnt to simplify my mind, my days and my home. I hope they will help you simplify your life one small step at a time and start finding tiny pockets of space for quiet, peace, calm and happiness. It doesnt need to be terrifying and it doesnt need to feel out of reach. You can start creating a slower, simpler life today.

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For most people, the journey towards simplicity starts with decluttering their stuff: clearing out wardrobes, or sorting through books, photos and decades of sentimental items. As they look around their home in frustration, they declare, Thats it! Im buying fewer shoes/clothes/tennis racquets/toys/books/CDs. Im sick of clearing this stuff out! But fast-forward twelve months and youll find many of them are back at it, grumbling about how they would prefer to be watching TV, relaxing, drinking a beer or playing with their kids. Instead, theyre clearing out the garage again.

In this little book Ill show you that instead of trying and repeatedly failing to get the physical clutter sorted, you need to first free up a little space in your daily life.

If you change the flow of your days making them a little simpler, lighter and easier the physical decluttering will follow.

This is not a book to help you organise your home. Its not about creating the perfect filing system or establishing a routine of regular clutter-busting. It wont tell you the right way to organise your pantry or simplify your wardrobe. Instead, it will show you that by being intentional with your daily actions you can create the simpler, happier life you want. And you can do this by harnessing the power of rituals and rhythms.

This is a small book.

Its intentionally brief, because I know youre busy and frustrated with how hectic life is. Thats why youve picked this book up youre looking for ways to reduce that busy-ness and feeling of being overwhelmed. The good news is, this book offers seven solutions.

Choosing to adopt all seven of these rituals and rhythms is the easiest, most successful way to create a simpler, slower life. However, even incorporating just one of these into your daily life will make a positive impact and might give you momentum to make further changes.

I suggest you read the entire book first. Many of the rhythms and rituals flow into each other, and while it may sound like a lot of work in the beginning, applying all of them together will save you a great deal of time and effort.

This book doesnt prescribe exact actions. It wont tell you how to change your life not exactly.

It will, however, arm you with a framework to help you change your own life for the better.

Life is busy. You dont have time to try anything new. I hear you. I understand. And I used to think the very same thing. But the truth is, if youre telling me (and yourself) that you dont have time, then you really do need this book.

The reality of making change in your life is that:

it takes effort

it takes time