Stress, it can happen to all of us. It can range in source and impact, but, regardless, it effects all of us. Overworking, timing, conflicts, lack of free time, illness or changes can create or heighten stress (neither of which are helpful in a healthy lifestyle). But how can we protect against an inevitable aspect of life? That question becomes even more difficult to answer once we factor in that we all respond differently to stress. An answer may seem hopeless, however, I’ve learned that there are a few fail-proof ways to at least decrease the impact of our stressors.

A long time ago, in a high school far far away, my creative writing teacher introduced me and my classmates to the works of Anne Lamott and the little gem that is her book Bird by Bird. Having not previously delved into any of her writing, I found myself curious and her words of encouragement and wisdom certainly did not disappoint. As Bird by Bird progresses, Lamott shares small — but key — life advice and ways to better handle the every day struggle we all face.

1. “Then my father sat down beside him, put his arm around my brother’s shoulder, and said, ‘Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird.’” This short, but important, quote has become a key, go-to method when I’m faced with a stressful situation. When an overwhelming day, week, or situation is thrown my way, I always try to take it day-by-day, minute-by-minute, activity-by-activity; I handle the situation bird by bird. Once the chaotic stress has been lowered to a singular moment or project, it becomes a little less intimidating.
2. “I go back to trying to breathe, slowly and calmly, and I finally notice the one-inch picture frame that I put on my desk to remind me of short assignments. It reminds me that all I have to do is to write down as much as I can see through a one-inch picture frame. This is all I have to bite off for the time being.” Similar to the quote stated previously, this little gem reminds Lamott’s readers that they need only accomplish a small aspect of a project at a time. All of the things that we’re stressed about do not have to be accomplished at the exact same time; if we tackle them piece by piece and bird by bird, we can complete our tasks and — hopefully — not lose our sanity.
3. “Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere. Start by getting something — anything — down on paper.” This little piece of wisdom reminds us that we just have to start. Half the battle of a stressful project or day is the beginning; once we’ve approached the stress and begin to tackle it, things become easier. We just need to start and the best part is that we can start anywhere. The beginning also does not need to be perfect (not at all). It does not have to instantly look like the finished product or the desired end result, we just need to begin the project, the day, the activity. Once we’ve started, half the battle is over.

When I first opened Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird, I definitely did not expect her words to hit me as much as they did or that her advice would remain with me for as long as it has (books can truly have an impact on our thoughts, beliefs, and overall approach to life). By reading the wisdom Lamott offers, I was able to gain helpful new habits and better handle stress that appears throughout life’s many turns. I learned that it can never hurt to approach stressful situations by using a bird by bird approach, breathing deeply, attacking projects in small pieces, and to just start somewhere.