Interim Step Seven: Deep Work, Slow Living, And The Power of Doing Nothing

How Clearing Your Calendar Can Change Your Life

There is a woodpecker living in my backyard.

It’s my fault. I put out suet during a big snowstorm last year so he’d have something to eat, and he has decided that the Ellison Smorgasbord is too good to pass up. We had a full-blown ASMR room out there, with the snow falling and the cardinals and squirrels and chippy-monks munching and the woodpecker swinging around on the feeder. It was lovely. But now, he has taken up residence, and decided the chickadees birdhouse is the place for him. One small issue — it’s much too small for him to get into. So he’s decided to do a renovation. All morning long, he pecks away—ratt-a-tatt-tatt— at the circular metal piece that fits around the hole. Persistent bugger.

On the surface, it’s…disruptive.

But is it really? Yes, it drew me out of my office and away from my manuscript. I poured a fresh cup of tea and went out onto the porch to ponder how to deal with him. I sat down and watched. It was quiet and cool. I lit the fire. Put my feet up. The cat came and snuggled in. I drank my tea, and allowed myself that moment. I didn’t have my phone or my laptop. Just a cup of tea, the cat, and that damn woodpecker.

It was awesome.

Photo by Mathew Benoit on Unsplash