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!
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 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.
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). 😊
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
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!
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 😊
I wish I was better at this. Today I hung some laundry on the line even though it's cold , it won't get very dry out there, and I'll need to rehang it indoors. It felt a bit like pottering. The sun was shining and the air was crisp and doing it brought joy. Thanks for this lovely essay!
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!
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 to potter first thing in the morning around the garden in my PJs, a cuppa tea in hand 👌
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.
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.
Very validating ! I enjoy pottering and it’s so good to read that it’s nourishing for us. 🌻
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). 😊
I’ve always called it “putzing around”. I’m glad to see it is legal, and recommended. 😊 Thank you
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!
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!
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
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!
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 😊
I wish I was better at this. Today I hung some laundry on the line even though it's cold , it won't get very dry out there, and I'll need to rehang it indoors. It felt a bit like pottering. The sun was shining and the air was crisp and doing it brought joy. Thanks for this lovely essay!
I'm going to read this one again tomorrow and maybe the day after, too