Every once in awhile I come across a day that is not filled with deadlines, priorities or phone calls. My color coded calendar will have tasks that are mostly muted colors of grey or light blue, with nothing dramatic to catch my eye. They become a blur of suggestions for the day, not absolutes.
These days often become some of my favorites, because I can give myself room to just putter. Puttering to me means flowing from task to task at whim. It’s about forward momentum, not completions. Slow, thoughtful forward momentum that often takes me in surprising directions. If something catches my eye, I can stop what I’m doing to work on that for awhile, often until something else draws me in. As long as I’m moving forward on something I’m good. Do you know what I mean?
Puttering is a practice in mindfulness that also gives space to follow my heart. It’s peaceful and surprisingly productive. I often feel I accomplish more on puttering days than the ones that are structured.
The art of puttering does not include:
- Deadlines
- Expectations
- Pushing yourself
- Prioritized lists
- Guilt
It does include:
- Feeling peaceful
- Increased focus
- Getting things done
- Gratitude
- Flow
- And, being guided from within
I always feel good after a puttering day, somehow peaceful and proud of what I’ve accomplished all at the same time.
So, when you find yourself with a day that is not over-structured, I encourage you to try the art of puttering. You are guaranteed to feel more relaxed and likely to accomplish so much more.
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I have made puttering a way of life, even in the midst of deadlines and work schedules!!
Congratulations on being able to do this when it might be challenging. In the long run the calm and contentment that come with puttering will likely make you more productive in the other things too.
I love puttering during my retirement. And you’re right–the results are surprisingly productive. It’s fun to let the still, small Voice make suggestions for how to spend your time.
I have had several conversations about the challenges of transitioning to retirement today, but one of the gifts that comes when we learn to use it is the peace and contentment of following the flow (puttering).