One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler

by Tsh Oxenreider

I think it’s weird that we all make “simple living” so darn complicated. I’m guilty—even though I write a blog about making life easier, simplifying sometimes feels like one more thing on my to-do list, making it, ironically, one more thing for me to stress over.

• Menu plan.
• Keep a monthly written budget.
• Get more sleep.
• Organize the photo collection.
• Declutterthetoysmakethebillspaperlessgetoutofdebthavefamilymeetings.

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler is a simple living handbook. I took my favorite ideas that I already wrote on Simple Mom, then rewrote and reorganized them into manageable chunks. I turned my blog into my own personal checklist, because I need a steady dose of inspiration, too.

But then I thought—I wonder if others could use this, too?

So I added more ideas, sprinkled in lots of links for reference, and added space for doodling notes, and it became this book. A book you can instantly download.

Broken down into manageable chunks, One Bite at a Time provides you with steps, tips, links, and motivation to slow down and simplify.

Here’s the thing: I bet most of you know what to do to simplify. You’ve heard most of the little tips and tricks to slow down life and make tasks less frustrating. It’s just overwhelming to know how to start.

With this book, I’m giving you permission to focus on just one thing at a time, until you’ve got that task down—and then you can move on to the next one.

52 tasks. Practical. Do-able. Given to you in a one-at-a-time, take-a-breath format, for you to tackle at your own comfortable pace. You know what you should do, you just need a handbook.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Personal Development, Productivity, Reference, How To, Lifestyle

Nook

First published August 26, 2011

About the author

Tsh Oxenreider is the author of several books, most notably At Home in the World, a book about her family’s year traveling around the world out of backpacks. She enjoys leading trips, writing a weekly newsletter, podcasting, teaching high schoolers, and raising children and chickens in her small town with her favorite husband. Learn more about all these things on her website.

In 2014-15 Tsh traveled around the world with her family of five, and it was as nuts and exhilarating as it sounds. It confirmed her suspicion: a passport truly is a portal for the world’s greatest textbook—the actual planet and all her inhabitants. After meeting her husband in war-torn Kosovo, raising babies and toddlers in a Turkish highrise apartment overlooking the Mediterranean, and living for a few years in idyllic central Oregon, they now live in a historic small-town just north of Tsh’s hometown, Austin.

She loves traveling the world, and equally loves snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef with her kids and puttering around her own backyard with a drink in hand.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a motivating book! I have been overwhelmed with the idea of organizing my home and living a more simple life for awhile now. I have so many ideas on my to-list, that I don't even know where to start. So, I don't start at all.

Tsh Oxenreider breaks down the overwhelming concepts of organizing and living more simply into bite-sized projects. She encourages the reader to do one thing at a time, until it becomes a habit. Then, move on to something else. There is no order, either. So, you can tackle the projects in the order that most suits you best. She gives us, the readers, permission to take our time and to be gentle and forgiving with ourselves. I am excited to get started, and I have hope that this approach will make a difference in my life!

[Kelly Ringle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked this book! It gave so many practical ideas to reshape & streamline your life & home. Filled with assorted ideas from cooking staples from scratch (bread & yogurt) to budgeting. I have and plan to implement many of these wonderful tactics in my life!

[MARY WHARTON ALEXANDER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth keeping a copy handy

I loved this book. Not only does she share recipes but she gives you tips that can actually work from a single person to a busy family. It also helps that it’s one tip at a time so I didn’t feel overwhelmed by all the changes I was making.

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice book for going through and taking stock of your home and life to see what needs an update. I'm a fan of Tsh's blog and previous book. I don't take all of her specific suggestions, but I do like her philosophy and style. And she's very good at making suggestions without soundy preachy or holier-than-thou.

Also random quote that was very helpful: "First, use the three-piece rule. People look so much more put together in the fall than in the summer, don’t they? It’s because they’re wearing three pieces: a shirt and pants with a jacket, cardigan, or scarf to complete the outfit. Even in the summer you can put on a lightweight scarf for more polish."

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Tsh Oxenreider's blog, SimpleMom.net. Loved this book. Tsh's writing style is easy, and her suggestions are realistic and achievable. I went through a big push in my life to simplify, and I have incorporated many of the ideas from her book. I also think that the "52 ideas" is perfect for something like "a year of changes" and trying to make one small change per week. I have gone back to particular chapters on several occasions to look at what she suggested. Everything from having a weekly meeting with your spouse, to streamlining your morning and evening routine, to having a mail system - all are practical suggestions, with examples from her own life.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Tsh Oxenreider! Her mission at SimpleMom.net is to help mothers and other harried individuals embrace simplicity and intention in their lives, and her books follow this same vein. No suggestion in this book is really new and ground-breaking (chapters include: "Make a debt-free plan" and "Start menu planning"), however, Oxenreider presents her projects in an easy-to-digest manner with a healthy dose of her own brand of inspiration. When I had finished, the book had motivated me to make positive changes in my life, which I believe is the intent! Also recommend Tsh's book Organized Simplicity.

[Relyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Relyn Rating: 4.5 stars

I'm not much of an eBook reader, but I couldn't resist Tsh's book. I only read it in snatches and grabs while I was stuck in line various places so it took me a while. Another reason it took me a while is that I would keep rereading some of her great ideas and deep thoughts. This tiny book had much to offer. I doubt I will ever begin to make my own beauty products, but it was fun to read about and contemplate. I have, however, established a morning routine and it has made a profound difference. We've been working hard to become debt free for a while now, so reading Tsh's thoughts was an extra boost. All in all, just a really great book.

[C.G.Koens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tsh had lots of really great points in this ebook about simplifying your life. I think the one that has made the most immediate impact was the idea of cleaning up the kitchen as you go and keeping the kitchen sink cleaned out. Whether you struggle with organization, drinking enough water, or finding a schedule that works for you, Tsh has ideas that might help you. You can take it as a chapter a week (52 chapters, 52 weeks in a year), or you can read it all at once (as I did) and either way, I think you'll get something out of it.

[Jess Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

i downloaded this book as a .pdf - it's been one of my favorite organization tools for this year. it's broken down into 52 projects with the intention of making it one project per week for an entire year. it'll take far longer (at least for me) to accomplish many of these projects, but so many of them are good, practical ideas that i'm happy to tackle them - organizing all your important life documents into a labeled binder, organizing your photos, simplifying bill paying, meal planning. Tsh is one of my favorite bloggers, and i'm a big fan of both her books.

[Kassi · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I started reading this book I visited the website and printed a list of the 52 projects. So far I have two of them completely finished and I'm working on the third. There are several projects related to using all natural products for various things that I don't know if I'll actually do. BUT the majority of them are really great ideas that I'm looking forward to working through. So glad I purchased this book on my e-reader so the in text links are clickable! AND because I can easily refer back to the project list as I go along.

[Janalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am at the stage of life where I want to find and expand the joy of homemaking. Once I narrow down what bites I would like to chew off in the book, it will most definitely be used as a tool for me. I think the key for me is to just focus on a few ways to streamline, organize and simplify my life. I will say there are a lot of list making suggestions, and some specific tips for those that have a "type a" personality. Some women that I know might feel a bit stifled by these suggestions so they may not work for everyone.

[Hallie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some useful tips, and for the most part this avoided being too preachy. Cara and I are doing a major decluttering (stalled for the holidays) in preparation for moving out of the house so it can be -- well, hopefully not demolished. This was one of several internet resources I looked at, and wasn't worth the cost for my needs, though it might have been more useful for families with young children.

[Sarah Milner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just revisited this book; the bite sized chunks are perfect! Some of things I've already made a habit; others aren't quite as necessary [or I've tried them, and they don't work for me]. I'm excited to go through it again, especially after having a third baby. Some things need to get back on track!

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

The organization and simplifying tools presented in this ebook aren't new or revolutionary ideas. Rather they're presented in a way that makes a simpler life doable. I won't be implementing all of the ideas in this book, but I will work on several of them. I won't tackle them all at once though--that would defeat the purpose of one bite at a time!

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice concept, wonderful ideas just a little heavy on the evangalism. Not bad, just not expected or what I necessarily look for in a book about organizing. Also some of her ideas on things to make my life simpler are a bit high handed. Making my own dishsoap and toothpaste for a family of seven is not my idea of simplifying. It was just ok.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't realise this would be quite so parenting-focused (I know she writes a blog called Simple Mom but the blurb made it seem a bit more general) but it was still a good, motivating read. I'd especially recommend this to people with human children rather than a cat.

[Jessie Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple Mom’s ebook has 52 brief chapters, each containing one step you can take to simplify your life. I’m slowly adopting some of them in the hopes to be more intentional and less frazzled. It’s not easy, but Tsh makes sense, and I love how the book is laid out.

[Payge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great ideas! Loved the set up and the freedom to do "one bite at a time."

[Suzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So helpful after you've read organized simplicity. This is one to keep on the iPad to help stay organized.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving this book so far. I love the way she is easing me into a more organized life... if there is any hope, I think it lies with Tsh!

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely organized. Good ideas to take one at a time. Helped inspire me.

[Renee Hood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great practical advice with lots of links to useful sites. Now, I plan to read Organized Simplicity since this book was so helpful. Great blog by the author, also.

[Pamela]

Written for busy families, but had some great inspirations for us single folk too.

[Aleksandra Trpkovska · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple and helpful. Easy incorporated. Great for new moms. Home beauty products didn't inspire me, but the rest is awesome because its simplified and doable.

[Brooke Ybarra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Certainly every project doesn't apply to me, but there were some great, easy to implement ideas.

[Missyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not all of this applies to me, but some does, and I really love the eating the frog bit.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the breakdown of doable projects!

[H. Dair Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

She's found her niche. I'd already heard/read a lot of these, but still a good quick guidebook on the topic.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm always drawn to books about simplicity and organizing. Nothing new for me in this book. There is lots of great information for young families.

[Margie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The organization of this book was really strange to me. I didn't enjoy it as much. Like trying to binge read a blog...