Pottering: A Cure for Modern Life

by Anna McGovern, Charlotte Ager (Illustrator)

This little book is both a discussion and practical guide to one of the most British of pastimes - pottering.

Author Anna McGovern writes with charm about the joy and practicality of living in the meandering moment, not asking too much of yourself and yet still getting things done in the gentlest of ways.

This is the book for people who want to discover productivity at an easier pace, and above all the contentment you achieve when accepting that you can only do what you can do.

Pottering is a true ode to slow living and an antidote to the stresses of modern life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Lifestyle

128 pages, Hardcover

Published October 22, 2020

Reviews

[Kirsty ❤️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

kirk72.wordpress.com/2020/08/20/potte...

[Story · Rating 3 out of 5]

This cute little guide reminds readers of the quiet joys of puttering around, living from moment to moment with no big goals in mind, taking pleasure in each moment and not living with our minds either in the future or with thoughts of how others will judge our actions via social media. I enjoyed this quick read and found it timely during these pandemic days.

[Colin Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most silliest, most oddest, most charming books you'll read. When, in the opening pages, I was given detailed instructions on how to make a cup of tea, I wasn't quite sure what to think. By the end, I got it. Not one to read cover to cover in one sitting, just pick up and put down when you're pottering, read a few pages, drift onto something else. I'm off to organise my herb rack now...

Book supplied by Netgalley for an honest review.

[Fern A · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a lovely little coffee table book on all things pottering. It reminded me a little of reading Ladybird books as a child on a single subject in that it’s written similarly and filled with information and ideas. The illustrations are beautiful and really added to the book too. Want to know about pottering, how to be more in the moment and slow down or be more intentional in every day tasks- this is a good starting point.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author has given us permission and guidance on a more relaxed way of life that I fully embrace . A cross between Martha Stewart and Jon Kabat-Zinn, some people may need the detailed humorous instruction that Anna has provided . Thanks to #NetGalley for an enjoyable read .

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet little read that continues with the modern trend of self-help books designed to tell us to slow down and stop doing so much, and to have fun doing it. It has a decidedly old fashioned British tone and is very sweet and encouraging. It was not really anything new to me, as it turns out I am already a master at pottering. I really don't need to read very descriptive instructions on how to do things like oil a hinge (and make it somewhat enjoyable in a calming and happy sort of way), but if I had to then this would be a wonderful guide. It reminds me a lot of a charming children's book in the tone, and could be a great fit for busy folks who want to learn how to slow down and enjoy the little moments.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art of pottering (or footering as my parents called it) isn’t always seen as a good thing. It can be seen as pointless, as a waste of time, as achieving little, but Ms McGovern is here to tell us differently. It seems a rather fruitless exercise reading a book about doing nothing and yet after a few pages, you're caught up in the reverie. This is as much an examination of our current way of living as a call to slowing down. There are simple ideas, like buy a cheap wristwatch so you don’t keep looking at your phone for the time and getting caught up in emails and social media.

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.

Recommended if you want a fast, light read to shake you out of a rut - but don't read it too fast or you’ll miss the message.

I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley in return for an honest review.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take some time for yourself. Put down your phone. Do whatever little things give you pleasure. Take your time. Don’t try too hard to be perfect. Make do with what you have. Feel the contentment that comes with getting into the flow. Congratulations! You’re pottering!

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend recommended this to me, and I'm so glad she did. It's a charming, gentle little book about taking time to do what seems like nothing--pottering. No agenda, no schedule, no to-do list. Sit and stare out the window. Walk to the shops (it's a British book) to pick up a few things. Write a letter on paper to a friend. The act of writing the letter is an excellent example of pottering: you rummage around to find paper, pen, envelope, stamp. You sit and write. You seal the envelope and walk it to a mailbox. After a day of pottering you feel refreshed and might be surprised to realize you actually did get a few things done, even though accomplishing something was not the goal.

This book validated my daily life. I'm definitely a potterer.

[Emily Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very easy read and quite a sweet book. Didn’t gain any knowledge from it but think that’s the point. It felt really comforting.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars ☺️

[Joe Glocke · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is a nice little book about doing nothing. 3 bags and that’s fine!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book, but I think I am biased because pottering is one of my favorite ways to spend time and comes naturally to me. I would love to see a version of this book that wasn't digital when it is released because I think it will be gorgeous with the color artwork and a book I could see adding to my own collection. It was sweet, practical, and a breath of fresh air in the digital heavy world to consider pottering as an antidote for stress and overwhelm. I thought this was a wonderful read!

[Nicci · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

The reason I opted to request a review copy is that I was curious. The concept of Pottering is a very British thing, imo, and it has a very specific meaning. To me, you are not pottering around your house at the weekend if you're spending it harrassed and running around, or playing computer games or mindlessly watching tv and movies.
Pottering, to me, was about getting stuff done but almost absent-mindedly getting stuff done.
It's soothing, calming... Peaceful.
It's not about attacking an unending to-do list with single-minded purpose.
It's not about large scale projects like re-painting a kitchen or laying a patio, it's slower and more subtle than that.

Pottering: A Cure For Modern Life re-enforced my perception of what it means to potter but it also broadened my view and made me realise that aimlessly going for a walk and staring at the ducks on the river - just because - is also pottering.
The book defines it as, "to occupy oneself in a pleasant way but without plan or purpose."

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.
While I'd never have categorised it in those terms myself they make perfect sense as do the examples and explanations the author gives for each point.
I found myself nodding away in agreement as it's pottering in a nutshell but so is the point that not all elements are of equal importance and the emphasis on each will vary person to person and task to task.
The subsequent chapters explore each element in more detail.

The book is easy to read, relatable, amusing and makes perfect sense.

The take away points for me are that:
- Pottering is not a chore.
Yes, you may be pottering doing household tasks but you're deriving some pleasure/satisfaction from it.
- What you want and what you need are very different things.
Improvise and compromise!
- Don't try too hard
Pottering is not about pressure, it's not supposed to be stressful, it's a productive calming activity.
- It's not all about household tasks!
You can potter around local shops. You can potter around a park. It's not all about the house.
- Everybody potters whether they call it that or not
- There is no one way to potter
- We could all do with more time away from digital devices and social media
- Pottering helps you think and mentally declutter
- Pottering around is not procrastination
- Pottering is good for the soul

Ultimately, pottering is about finding peace and joy in the little things.
It's about switching off from the stresses of the world and being happy with what you've got, living in the moment, appreciating the little things. Many "self-help" techniques (like mindfulness) try to impart a similar principle but because of how they're presented they become a "thing" and just another something that you're "failing" to do or keep up with.
Pottering... It's just a way of life.
I find I'm happiest and more relaxed when I've spent a day pottering around the house so I guess my take away from reading this book is I need to switch off the electronics a little more often and just potter! I'd be happier and more content for doing so.

Ultimately, I recommend giving this book a read and seeing if adopting a pottering approach would be a positive thing for you. I don't see how it could fail to be a positive thing for anybody and I feel a little bit sad that with the pace of life nowadays we're losing the subtle art of it.

🌻

PS - Sitting down for 10 minutes, drinking a cup of tea and reading a book in between tasks is a valid pottering action! 😉

PPS - The only truly weird suggestion I found was writing a cheque to pay for something just for funsies... Do retailers still accept cheques?! Banks in the UK aren't even issuing cheque books as standard anymore so I'm confused by this one. *shrug*

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found it on a lunch break taking a stroll to the public library and it fits how I like to live life without hurry, urgency, perfection and productivity. To read her words felt freeing and I recognized that I potter quite a lot and when I do, I feel more balanced and grounded. I come from a culture of pottering in a smallish town and this has been what I have missed in city living. Unless I am intentional with pottering, I become a machine of good will, hard work, and making others happy while not caring for myself.

[Tom Horvei · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seeing this book for the first time did cause some concern for this reader. Is it another self help thing? Will it be embarassing?

Thankfully, Anna McGovern opens the book by placing it outside the landscapes of the rather worn out "mindfulness", as well as the Danish "hygge". Pottering is not about any of this. And that is why you should read this book.

At first I did struggle with some of the very detailed descriptions of pottering activities. This topped itself when I read about the author's passion for dishwashing by hand. I almost stopped reading there and then. But then, finally the message of the book got to me.

What I have learned from this book is that pottering - if approached correctly, or with the lack of correctness - is indeed relaxing. It suddenly appeared to me that when I thought of my grandparents (especially the grandmothers), always busy doing something around the house, in orders and patterns that I never cared to understand. I have up until now found their life to be nothing but labourous, lacking all the perks of modern society. This book has shown me that pottering was the much sought after mindfulness of their time, and that we have lost this ability to relax by getting things done in a world that is ever more digital.

Anna McGovern adresses the need for "digital diets" and getting away from the connectedness, and gives a whole new perspective of relaxation. And that without the need for courses, seminars, techniques or yoga mats. A whole chapter is actually named "Make do with what you've got".

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.

But one thing should be changed: In the fantastic epilogue of this book, Anna McGovern explains in a fantastic way why you should read this book, in a beautiful way. So dear author, dear publisher: In the next edition (I think there will be one), please put the epilogue at the very start of the book.

Until that: Dear fellow reader: Feel free to buy this book, and read the epilogue first. The book will give you many a good moment.

[Alina Borger]

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:

1. Make do with what you've got.
2. Don't try too hard.
3. Move, but not a lot.
4. Keep it Local.
5. Keep it digital-free.

Then the chapters are full of musing and specific suggestions for how to go about pottering when following that particular guideline. For example, under "don't try too hard," we are invited to do tasks that are "quite satisfying and useful only but the tiniest margin," like sweeping with a broom, cleaning out old bags/purses, sorting junk drawers, leaving something to soak, sewing on a single button, cutting scrap paper out of old envelopes, organizing key dishes.

I adored reading it and felt so validated that so many things I already do on summers and weekends will qualify as "pottering."

As far as drawbacks, there are two. First, the chapter on keep it digital-free retreads a lot of ground that folks already know about, and putting it in service of pottering really doesn't add much to the conversation. I think just that sentence--keep it digital free--is probably sufficient once you've got the gist of pottering.

Second, some of the suggestions are so idyllically British as to be nonsensical in vast portions of the US. For example, most people live just six minutes (by foot) from "the shops," so fifteen minutes in your house slippers will get you there and back with the day's newspaper. While not achievable for me in my sprawling Iowa suburb, it did make me long for my visits to Bath/Oxford/The Cotswolds.

But neither of these drawbacks are a reason not to read this lovely little guide.

[Hesed Payocong · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book in my new Goodreads era. It's been 7 years lol :D

I started writing this with a completely different mindset, a review that claims that it is neither brilliant nor life changing. It's a very simple book, a quick read and really British. But i realized that whenever I do really simple things like sweeping my room, washing pasties, cleaning out my car etc that i think of this book. And instead of feeling like I am being unproductive I think: this is nice. Because I have time for myself and I am actually enjoying it. I AM productive towards something that that has a satisfying result but also a satisfying process.

I also like that she did ensure that there is a difference between pottering and procrastinating.

It a quick an easy read. It's not a life changing Ted Talk nor is it Atomic Habits. But it's a nice alternative perspective in this digital, fast paced, modern environment.

[Bernadette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the loveliest book about one of my favourite things to do. It explains the whole idea of "pottering" and what it means to "potter" about and do the most mundane things, we enjoy, like make a cup of tea or clear out that long neglected cupboard., that has turned into Narnia.

The author explains the difference between doing things that bring you joy and inner peace, as opposed to those things we do that cause us stress.. It also has some lovely soft and dreamy illustrations, which showcase the chapters perfectly and fit in well with the world of "pottering"

A lovely book, that i will return to for grounding every time i want a "potter"

Would thoroughly recommend this book to all mt "pottery" friends, family and anyone in-between

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just fun and sweet. So much of it reminded me of my British grandmother and her inability to refrain from tinkering and doing little chores and odd jobs around the house At. All. Times. As much as I want to embrace my Nordic heritage and claims to a hygge life, pottering feels more my cultural inheritance. If anything this book offers a take on adjusting my attitude about my busy body tendencies. What if I just enjoyed my little chores, projects, distractions, errands and day dreams instead of worrying that they either didn’t amount to enough accomplished or that they kept me from relaxing?

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate to receive a copy of this ARC from NetGalley.

Ah, the art of Pottering. Potentially a lost art for most of us!

This book talks us through how to Potter while making a cup of tea and also how to return to a more analogue life.

The drawings by Charlotte Ager are very cute!

My favourite quote:
""Pottering is a flexible activity that exists on a spectrum of thoroughness."

Perfect for autumn days at home!

Publication date: 26th October 2020.

[April Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pottering (often called puttering in the U.S.) is moving around in a relaxed way, doing odd jobs, things that aren't that important, like cleaning out the junk drawer or rearranging your closet. It's doing a mostly mindless activity to relax, while actually getting something done (though the something doesn't have to get done, so if you don't finish, that's okay). Everyone should potter once in a while; it's good for your mind- it's essentially mindful, though your mind doesn't have to be fully in the moment. This book is primarily for people who don't know how to potter, or who just don't do it- the type A personalities. Those of us who know how to potter could use this book as a reminder or refresher, but the ones who really need this book are the type A's in your life. There are some "rules" to pottering (quotation marks because rules aren't terribly important here), the most crucial being that pottering is to be done without devices- no phone, no tablet, no t.v., etc. This is the part that will be hardest for most people, but it must be done. Netflix and Ben & Jerry's is not pottering. There are exceptions, such as looking up how to bake snickerdoodles or some such thing, but social media is out.
I enjoyed the suggested pottering activities, and appreciated the author extolling the virtues of keeping things local- try out a local cafe, stop in a local shop to look around (making sure to buy something). There are suggestions for pottering in different seasons, and tips on how to know when to potter and when it's an excuse to procrastinate. Sometimes, pottering is writing a long review for a short book that you enjoyed, or reading that review to see if you'll like it. I'm a type B, but this book served as a good reminder to potter more often. Potter on, y'all!

#Pottering #NetGalley

[Patch405 (Shannon Barghols) · Rating 4 out of 5]

We know our children are over-scheduled and overly attached to their electronic devices. We know they need unstructured time to be ‘bored’ so that the creative juices can flow. But what about us, as adults?

In Pottering. A Cure for Modern Life, Anna McGovern explains the British concept and encourages you to dive right in. In my (American) world, I think ‘pottering’ is a synonym for ‘tinkering’. In any case, you need no exact plan. In fact, you might have dabbled in pottering in the past without even realizing it. And it might be just the reprieve from life that you need right now. McGovern shows you have to take a simple task like making a cup of tea and turn it into a practice that encourages taking pleasure in the small things in life. It leads to freedom and resourcefulness and likely includes some searching, rediscovering, sorting, moving, and organizing. But take note - pottering is not akin to mindfulness. Quite the opposite. There’s no drive to be ambitious/productive with your free time. If you’re looking for ideas on how to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with yourself, this book will help!

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....

The written content of this book is worth five stars. However, I think the cover and illustrations are lacking somewhat. So, the lack of visual appeal brings the overall rating down to four stars.

I was offered an advance digital copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed her are my own.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pottering is exactly what you would expect from a book of that title. It is gentle and refreshing, lovely to look at it with its simple and expressive illustrations and unhurried. It is an antidote to the rush and expectation of modern life where there is simply too much all the time, a bombardment of stimuli most of which are too distant to be acted upon and merely create frustration and anxiety.

The purpose of a human being is not to have an opinion on absolutely everything, whatever you might feel from your social media feeds. We are not experts on very much at all, so why do we act as though we are as we argue with people we haven’t even met about subjects that do not impact our daily lives?

Life is a gift, but so often it feels like a chore. When you stop to think about that it is incredibly sad. How did we get to a place where we are constantly dissatisfied, chasing the next thing? Pottering helps put it all back into a little perspective. It is fine to be aspirational but it is important to consider what we are aspiring to and why.

It might help to take some time out to do little things, moving from one small task to another, emptying ourselves of all the false desires that whirl around us in advertising and the media. Sometimes it might help to simply potter. This is a simple book and it asks little of you, it would be a perfect gift for a friend from whom too much is currently being asked. Slow down, refocus, let go of cares and make the time to stop and stare.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a gentle little book which serves as a timely reminder not to get too stressed about daily life in these stressful times. It is a celebration of not doing very much at all, and discovering in the process that you've actually done lots of little things that needed doing, and also emerged feeling better for it.

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.

Charlotte Ager's illustrations are a joy in themselves, featuring a very ordinary-looking family with a cat. In my experience, cats are very useful for getting you to sit down with a cup of tea and a book. The whole thing is written in a light-hearted style, but at its heart is a profound truth - that me-time is essential for our wellbeing, and pottering is quintessentially me-time because it requires no planning, no lists, no tyranny of achievement. And in indulging, we find that we have got a lot done, and given our brain a rest, and we emerge better rested, less prone to burn out, and perhaps with regular practice, a different attitude to life.

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

If pottering were to belong to the positive psychology family, it would be a kind and benign aunt. It doesn't take much to impress her: she is gentle, she smiles a lot and she says, 'Don't be so hard on yourself. You should be really proud, the way you handled that.'

Pottering is a book that really examines what it means to potter and the benefits of pottering. It also encourages you to potter in ways you might not have thought of before. It's a kind of celebration of resourcefulness and the stepping away from perfectionism.

I really enjoyed this book. It was quaint, warm and a quick read. Perfect thing to have on a table and dip in and out of, while you're pottering I suppose. I especially appreciated the distinction between pottering and procrastination, and how to avoid the latter.

If this sounds like a book for you, it probably is!

[Ivana Galapceva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pottering is a charming little book about the pastime (or shall we call it art?) of pottering. It follows the self-help style, and encourages readers to slow it down a little and enjoy some everyday tasks and moments without the hassle of being productive and most importantly digital-free. In many ways, the principles are similar to the popular "being present" meditative propositions. Even though not much new is being revealed, it's a lovely guide and an important reminder of dropping down that "to-do list" and take it one spontaneous step at a time. I also enjoyed the author's personal experience at the end, where she shares how she became preoccupied with pottering.

Thanks to Laurence King Publishing and NetGalley for the digital copy of this little gem.

#Pottering #NetGalley

[Barbara Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delightful little book, and timely too - given the rushed state of the world we live in, coupled with the demands of navigating life in a global pandemic. About a third of the way into the book, I realized - “Hey, I’ve been doing this all my life, naturally.” I am a spontaneous, free spirited person by nature, who dislikes having every minute of her day accounted for & planned out. And yet the author, Anna McGovern, also touches on the need to find balance, to not let “pottering” turn into procrastination, making one avoid getting things done. Find a cozy reading spot, make yourself a cup of tea, & discover for yourself, the simple joy of living moment to moment.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A slightly different view of what it means to slow down, make do with what you've got, don't try too hard, move, keep it local and digital-free. Almost overly simple in its directions, but illustrated nicely, with an occasional funny story. When I was younger, working out of my type-A personality, I could have used the advice and would never have taken it. Now, older and more often pacing myself, it is a simple reminder of what taking a day off or an hour or a minute can do to improve the quality of life.