Love this idea of “pottering”—some of my favorite ways to potter is baking, doing a puzzle, playing with my dog, lazy Sundays spending hours reading. I never really thought about how these slow but slightly productive activities really are calming and soothing—I always bake when I feel stressed to relax!
Thank you. I do too! And gentle cleaning, I always find that helps calm my mind if I am feeling stressed, upset or overwhelmed. It is funny, once you take the time to notice it, you then realise how powerful the practice of pottering is.
Beautifully validating 💜 I contracted long-covid a few years ago, and the art of pottering has become a deep comfort. It’s lovely to have this way of moving around the world celebrated for what it is, and, crucially, celebrated as enough ! The pressure to do and be ‘more’ (absurd when I’m managing chronic illness, but sadly inescapable) remains something I must constantly try to balance with a this kind of deeper contentment. 🙏🏻
.. I love the concept of using pottering as part of our self care toolkit ✨ when I read Pottering A Cure for Modern Life, I felt it deep in my bones. Such a gentle unassuming practice ... we ALL do to some extent! So much untapped power to calm and soothe, especially when you apply intention and attention. Really, it's magic.
I love to potter at home. I find it so comforting and reassuring. No pressure, just moving from one slow task to the next, whatever I fancy. It is amazing how much I achieve, without intending to or realising at the time.
Thank you Bee 💞 ... I love looking at everyday and somewhat mundane tasks we all do through a different lense, and realising the role they play in soothing our mind, body and spirit ✨ Pottering is the perfect example of this 🙌
I'm late to the party, but I wrote an article that I posted on LinkedIn a few years ago, and I find myself (a) in a job search, and (b) wanting to get back to the pottering mindset. I love pottering, when I let myself do it, and it begs the question 'Why aren't I always living my life this way?' I know, there's the obvious 'But I have to work...' argument -- but in these times when we're all seemingly being asked to worship at the altar of Productivity, I would argue that being guided by the principles of pottering allows us to make progress while leaving the 'heavy lifting' to the energy that creates worlds, whether you call that 'the Universe,' 'Spirit,' or 'God'... Besides, how can life get more successful than enjoying engaging in an act for its own sake, without a drop of resistance?!
Love this Carolyn and I totally agree with you ! It is something I often think about to be honest and try to consciously allow for pottering and finding my progress that way. Thank you for sharing your thoughts 🙏
Such a great concept, thanks for sharing, Emily! Really liked the quotes from the book and the pottering ideas you provided. I think most of my pottering still qualifies as procrastinating on other, bigger things, but every now and then I manage to potter guilt-free 😅
“It’s as though you’ve lent a sheen of legitimacy to your unstructured downtime by doing something ever so slightly useful” - I find this quote especially helpful as I can now reframe the importance of picking up small, calming tasks. Starting off with something like that will probably give me the confidence to tackle the bigger tasks on my list too :)
Thank you Milena, I am so glad you enjoyed it. The book is brilliant and such a comforting read. I found it very validating as a long time potter-rer! You will find the guilt will fall away once you see the value in pottering.
Thanks for introducing me to 'pottering'. Some of the suggested activities sound more like chores to me. I might have to see them more as 'pottering'; to see the calming/relaxing effect these 'chores' can have. And I like the idea of having a weekly 'pottering' day. I'll try this next weekend (and I'll look at the book that you suggested). 😊
Yes, I know exactly what you mean, like ironing... such a chore, but when I do the ironing amongst a pottering day with that 'vibe' it changes everything, and it is the gentle movement combined with the activity with the sense of accomplishment that really sells it! Enjoy! I hope you enjoy your pottering day... !
What a wonderful post! I like the idea of thinking of the household chores as pottering activities. Sometimes the endless list of things to be done is overwhelming, but doing them at a slow pace and being intentionally present whilst doing them might actually help alleviate that. Thank you for writing this, Emily!
This is wonderful and makes me realise how much I miss pottering! Pottering was always my favourite part of taking time off work, particularly after Christmas when there was little to do and nowhere to be. Pottering in my current life chapter with two small children is largely impossible and the time I have alone is filled with so much that the underlying sense of urgency negates any possibility of pottering in the true sense of the word. One day I will be back to my pottering ways! xx
Thank you so much ... the demands of the day do dominate - but maybe that is our chance to find some slightly different pottering activities. I hope you find some little moments of calm soon - pottering days await you!
Absolutely, I love going through my things to decide what to declutter/reorganize, little chores, tidying... it's what puts my mind at ease. I wish I could go potter in my brain itself!
Haha! Yes! Wouldn't that be great! It just goes to show when the pressure is off, how much calmer we are and how much more we can get done! A potter day never feels like work! Thank you for sharing!
I’ve never really been one that potters by mindfully organising/tidying little sections of the house. Then I started meditation and I found my self, taking moments to beautify little areas of the home without even really thinking about it. I felt so connected and grounded, rather than frenzied or resentful. So interesting!
I like to potter while listening to podcasts... I fold laundry, tidy, stack the dishwasher and generally do all the bits and pieces I haven't been making time for 😊
Love this idea of “pottering”—some of my favorite ways to potter is baking, doing a puzzle, playing with my dog, lazy Sundays spending hours reading. I never really thought about how these slow but slightly productive activities really are calming and soothing—I always bake when I feel stressed to relax!
Thank you. I do too! And gentle cleaning, I always find that helps calm my mind if I am feeling stressed, upset or overwhelmed. It is funny, once you take the time to notice it, you then realise how powerful the practice of pottering is.
Sundays are my favourite days, legitimate pottering all day long!
Me too!!! I absolutely love Sundays.
I love baking as well when I feel overwhelmed. Especially because I get to eat something delicious in the process😂💕
Yes! Baking or cooking is the best 😋
Beautifully validating 💜 I contracted long-covid a few years ago, and the art of pottering has become a deep comfort. It’s lovely to have this way of moving around the world celebrated for what it is, and, crucially, celebrated as enough ! The pressure to do and be ‘more’ (absurd when I’m managing chronic illness, but sadly inescapable) remains something I must constantly try to balance with a this kind of deeper contentment. 🙏🏻
Thank you so much for sharing
.. I love the concept of using pottering as part of our self care toolkit ✨ when I read Pottering A Cure for Modern Life, I felt it deep in my bones. Such a gentle unassuming practice ... we ALL do to some extent! So much untapped power to calm and soothe, especially when you apply intention and attention. Really, it's magic.
I take an annual sabbatical from my business from mid December to Feb 1. I usually travel but this past sabbatical I “pottered.” It was divine.
Oh what a wonderful idea, and the perfect months to take a little break. Thank you for sharing with us.
I love to potter first thing in the morning around the garden in my PJs, a cuppa tea in hand 👌
Sounds perfect! ✨
It feels wonderful doesn't it? … such a gentle nourishing habit … I love the concept of using pottering as part of our self care toolkit 🙏✨
I love to potter at home. I find it so comforting and reassuring. No pressure, just moving from one slow task to the next, whatever I fancy. It is amazing how much I achieve, without intending to or realising at the time.
It is like a little magic trick isn’t it? I love it too, I always get lots done but in the most gentle way.
Very validating ! I enjoy pottering and it’s so good to read that it’s nourishing for us. 🌻
Thank you Bee 💞 ... I love looking at everyday and somewhat mundane tasks we all do through a different lense, and realising the role they play in soothing our mind, body and spirit ✨ Pottering is the perfect example of this 🙌
I'm late to the party, but I wrote an article that I posted on LinkedIn a few years ago, and I find myself (a) in a job search, and (b) wanting to get back to the pottering mindset. I love pottering, when I let myself do it, and it begs the question 'Why aren't I always living my life this way?' I know, there's the obvious 'But I have to work...' argument -- but in these times when we're all seemingly being asked to worship at the altar of Productivity, I would argue that being guided by the principles of pottering allows us to make progress while leaving the 'heavy lifting' to the energy that creates worlds, whether you call that 'the Universe,' 'Spirit,' or 'God'... Besides, how can life get more successful than enjoying engaging in an act for its own sake, without a drop of resistance?!
Love this Carolyn and I totally agree with you ! It is something I often think about to be honest and try to consciously allow for pottering and finding my progress that way. Thank you for sharing your thoughts 🙏
Such a great concept, thanks for sharing, Emily! Really liked the quotes from the book and the pottering ideas you provided. I think most of my pottering still qualifies as procrastinating on other, bigger things, but every now and then I manage to potter guilt-free 😅
“It’s as though you’ve lent a sheen of legitimacy to your unstructured downtime by doing something ever so slightly useful” - I find this quote especially helpful as I can now reframe the importance of picking up small, calming tasks. Starting off with something like that will probably give me the confidence to tackle the bigger tasks on my list too :)
Thank you Milena, I am so glad you enjoyed it. The book is brilliant and such a comforting read. I found it very validating as a long time potter-rer! You will find the guilt will fall away once you see the value in pottering.
Saved the book to my TBR! I better start making time for pottering sooner rather than later 😊
Thanks for introducing me to 'pottering'. Some of the suggested activities sound more like chores to me. I might have to see them more as 'pottering'; to see the calming/relaxing effect these 'chores' can have. And I like the idea of having a weekly 'pottering' day. I'll try this next weekend (and I'll look at the book that you suggested). 😊
Yes, I know exactly what you mean, like ironing... such a chore, but when I do the ironing amongst a pottering day with that 'vibe' it changes everything, and it is the gentle movement combined with the activity with the sense of accomplishment that really sells it! Enjoy! I hope you enjoy your pottering day... !
I’ve always called it “putzing around”. I’m glad to see it is legal, and recommended. 😊 Thank you
Absolutely recommended !!! 🙌🙌
What a wonderful post! I like the idea of thinking of the household chores as pottering activities. Sometimes the endless list of things to be done is overwhelming, but doing them at a slow pace and being intentionally present whilst doing them might actually help alleviate that. Thank you for writing this, Emily!
Absolutely 💕 it's good to see it all from a different perspective... Helps you appreciate the little things 😊
I say I potter when going from room to room watering the plants and at the same time perhaps picking vilted leaves. Soothing is the word!
Totally! the ultimate soothing activity. I love it!
This is wonderful and makes me realise how much I miss pottering! Pottering was always my favourite part of taking time off work, particularly after Christmas when there was little to do and nowhere to be. Pottering in my current life chapter with two small children is largely impossible and the time I have alone is filled with so much that the underlying sense of urgency negates any possibility of pottering in the true sense of the word. One day I will be back to my pottering ways! xx
Thank you so much ... the demands of the day do dominate - but maybe that is our chance to find some slightly different pottering activities. I hope you find some little moments of calm soon - pottering days await you!
Yes you’re right, and perhaps a slight mindset shift where possible. Thank you for reminding me of pottering spirit xx
Absolutely, I love going through my things to decide what to declutter/reorganize, little chores, tidying... it's what puts my mind at ease. I wish I could go potter in my brain itself!
Haha! Yes! Wouldn't that be great! It just goes to show when the pressure is off, how much calmer we are and how much more we can get done! A potter day never feels like work! Thank you for sharing!
I’ve never really been one that potters by mindfully organising/tidying little sections of the house. Then I started meditation and I found my self, taking moments to beautify little areas of the home without even really thinking about it. I felt so connected and grounded, rather than frenzied or resentful. So interesting!
That's amazing, maybe it has unlocked that gentle but productive energy in you? Maybe it will become a bigger part of your self care toolkit now too!
I like to potter while listening to podcasts... I fold laundry, tidy, stack the dishwasher and generally do all the bits and pieces I haven't been making time for 😊
Yes, I love doing this too! It's really relaxing isn't it! I've started listening to audiobooks every now and then too!