Pottering: A Cure for Modern Life

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Pottering has five requirements, according to Anna McGovern - making do with what you've got, not trying too hard, keeping moving, keeping it local, and keeping it digital-free. There is a light-hearted chapter about each, with some examples you may wish to try if they hadn't occurred to you before. There is much about making time for a little sit-down with a cup of tea and a book -sound advice if ever there was any. Yes, you may be pottering doing household tasks but you're deriving some pleasure/satisfaction from it. Now, that "gem" I mentioned earlier. Accessed either from the parking area or one of the balconies is a self contained one bedroom "annexe". This adjacent extension has a large double bedroom with bathroom off, fully equipped kitchen and a balcony! Perfect for those with older relatives needing a home so that they can live independently but close enough to keep an eye on!

When you potter, there’s no need to rush out and buy new things. Pottering is about being resourceful. It’s about thinking on your feet and making do with what you’ve got. Pottering is not glamorous. You don’t have to put too much effort in, go very far or even do it with others. Pottering is not a lifestyle concept, and it doesn’t require practice. Just be. The first chapter explains the basics: Making do with what you've got, don't try too hard, movement, keeping it local and keeping it digital free. This book was novel change of pace for me mostly because it was a non-fiction book but also because it falls into the category of "Health, Mind and Body" or "Self-Help" which I normally avoid. That rest involved downing her digital devices, staying local and filling her Tuesdays with easy-to-achieve tasks. A couple of months into her new routine, McGovern realised that what she was doing could only be described as pottering. For her the restorative powers of regular pottering were such that she decided to interrogate the activity further. Written pre-pandemic, her book is an eerily prescient guide to the mercurial activity of – well, what, exactly? It’s a chance to have a moment free from the tyranny of pressure

A Cure for Modern Life

When you potter, there’s no pressure to achieve results or a perfectly clean room/home. And there’s also no need to share your pottering experience on social media. That would defeat the purpose. Why? Because pottering requires you to take time out from screens.

This isn’t a huge book and it’s an easy read, but it does make you think, if you go into it with an open mind. There is an element of mindfulness, of slow living, of paying attention but it is also a manifesto to take a hard look at what you spend your time on and consider if just pausing and having a potter won’t actually improve your health. As you enter into the hallway the standard of accommodation is evident and reflects the executive style of homes in the area. ignoring digital devices and limiting your access to them also means that you are not constantly bombarded with messages, information, unrealistic images of perfection and pictures of social occasions that you haven’t been invited to.” This little book is both a discussion and practical guide to one of the most British of pastimes – pottering.The consequence of pottering – a feeling of relaxation and contentment- is usually achieved when you make do with what you’ve got, get moving but don’t go too far, don’t try too hard and keep it digital free.” Pottering allows you to recalibrate to a saner and healthier pace of life. It reminds you that there’s so much more to life than being productive. DETACHED THREE BEDROOM HOME TWO MINUTES FROM EASNEY SEAFRONT WITH SELF CONTAINED ONE BEDROOM ANNEXE!!

I saw this book in a gift shop on Maui and jotted down the title--not a book I need to own, but one I definitely wanted to read. The library got it for me and it is a *very* charming exploration of how to "potter about" (what Americans might more readily call "puttering"). McGovern's five guidelines for pottering each form the basis of a subsequent chapter: Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of self improvement. I’m all for doing things more effectively. But sometimes you need a little time out.

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The key principles of pottering include making “do with what you’ve got,” not trying too hard, movement, staying local, and keeping it digital-free. Such techniques foster contentment and effortless living, focused on single tasks that embrace experimentation over excellence and are often, but not always, solitary pursuits. One chapter includes seasonal ideas to prime one’s mind for living at a slower pace year round, including spring cleaning, making popsicles in the summer, planting bulbs in the fall, and snuggling in the winter. If I sold books, I might say about this one: "Experience moments of mindfulness and "hygge", while your house and garden gets sorted out". There is no reason why this book can't sell millions. As time opens up for all of us to spend more time in the garden, Alan Titchmarsh offers his tips on how to make sure you do it right. This book talks us through how to Potter while making a cup of tea and also how to return to a more analogue life. Pottering can take place in any environment. Me? I find myself pottering in my yard. My gardening affords me the perfect opportunity to potter on a regular basis. I’m thrilled to formally adopt the practice, and have written about it in my blog at https://patch405.com/2020/07/10/do-yo....