Okay, let’s talk about how I built something from scratch, just like the title says, “bricks by bricks.” It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.
First, I figured out my “why.” Why did I want to do this? What did I hope to achieve? You gotta have a reason, a purpose, or you’ll lose steam fast. Mine was simple. I wanted to build a shed. A place to keep my tools.
Once I knew my “why,” I made a plan. Not a super detailed one, just a basic outline. What materials would I need? What were the steps involved? Having a plan is like having a map. It keeps you from getting lost. A good friend told me, “You can’t accomplish a goal until you’ve defined it.” I wrote down my plan on a piece of paper.
Then, I started gathering my materials. Bricks, obviously. But also sand and straw, cement, some wood for the roof. This part took some time. But it was also fun. It’s important to choose your materials wisely. I learned that adding sand to the mix could prevent shrinking and improve strength, and straw would enhance insulation. I got the wood cut to the right size at the local lumber yard.
- Gathered bricks
- Mixed sand, straw, and cement for mortar
- Laid the foundation
Now came the actual building. I laid the first brick, then another, and another. I took my time, making sure each brick was level and secure. I used a trowel to apply the mortar, and I checked my work with a spirit level.
Slowly but surely, the walls started to rise. I took breaks when I needed them, but I always came back to it. I kept reminding myself why I started in the first place. This part was the hardest. My back ached, my hands were sore, but I pushed through.
Finally, after what felt like forever, the walls were done. I built a frame for the roof. Then I nailed down the wooden boards. I added some shingles to make it waterproof. I even painted it a nice shade of blue. It was just like the plan.
And there it was. My shed. Built with my own two hands. It wasn’t perfect, but it was mine. I felt a sense of accomplishment that I’d never felt before. I stood back and admired my work, a smile on my face.
So, that’s my story of building something from scratch. It was a journey of planning, gathering, building, and persevering. It’s amazing what you can achieve when you put your mind to it and take it one step at a time, one brick at a time. And it all started with figuring out my “why” and making a simple plan.
