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Just enjoying pottering

(46 Posts)
GrannyIvy Fri 28-Jun-24 16:17:41

I just want to stay at home and potter and tiffle around the house and garden. I am happy with my own company and that of DH. Since our holiday in May when we were away for three weeks we have lost interest in getting out walking, exploring NT properties etc. and meeting with friends. We just want some downtime at home and with family members. We have been through a very stressful three years so maybe this is a reaction. Does anyone else feel like this at times? We are due to travel to Wiltshire next week to stay with friends for three nights and hoping all will go well

nanna8 Thu 04-Jul-24 10:18:07

I was the most creative I have ever been before or since during our enforced Covid imprisonment in Australia. Lots of sewing, cooking, making things in general. Sadly, I have gone back to ‘normal’ now, can’t be bothered.

NotSpaghetti Fri 05-Jul-24 07:17:56

blue14 I sometimes potter round places I love - courtesy of Google.

It's a lovely thing to do. After posting the photos I've been all over Southern Italy!
Not sure it's really pottering!

blue14 Fri 05-Jul-24 07:44:27

NotSpaghetti what a lovely thing to do!
I love Italy and so I just might just have a little potter around there today!
Thank you.

Ziplok Sat 06-Jul-24 11:39:28

I agree with everything that has been posted. I enjoy a mixture of pottering ant home, doing little, and going off to visit places for days out, plus holidays. Mostly, I’m happy doing all these things, yet sometimes I feel like Aveline, and when I’m pottering wish I was busy “doing” and when I’m busy “doing”, wish I was pottering. What a contrary creature I am sometimes 😂😂.

Super photos NotSpaghetti.

Ziplok Sat 06-Jul-24 11:40:27

ant? Where did that come from? 😁. At, that should say.

Cossy Sat 06-Jul-24 11:49:49

It’s perfectly normal, gives time to reflect, and chill out.

So long it’s not long term absolutely, no issue.

PilgrimQuill Sat 06-Jul-24 12:00:02

The days are full of nice things now - grandchildren visiting and zooming both happening this weekend, gardening and yesterdays rain has revived a favourite dahlia, piano practice if I get round to it - I'm proudly tackling Grade 3 this autumn - writing - another chapter done this morning, don't hold your breath, it's taking me ages. I might ask DH to go walking by the sea later on, but only if we both feel like it... is this tiffling? If so, I like it.

Annma Sat 06-Jul-24 12:02:59

There is nothing wrong with pottering , you need to have some down time especially if you have had a stressful period in your life.It is lovely to chill out, make the most of it while you can .It will soon be the school holidays and we will be helping with the grandchildren.

downnotout Sat 06-Jul-24 12:20:33

I am so pleased I read this thread. I have only been retired for a year and am still at the stage where I feel very guilty for not doing anything at all. All your posts have helped me realise this is the time to listen to your body, heart and head and do exactly what you like whenever you like. Thank you all - I am totally vindicated in my doing-nothingness!

Dempie55 Sat 06-Jul-24 13:30:41

I’ve been widowed for 3 years, and moved to a tiny house which is fine for me. I have settled into a loose routine of relaxed pottering at home all weekend (avoiding crowds and screaming children), doing house stuff on Mon/Tues, group stuff on Wed/Thurs and solo outings on a Friday. I can honestly say I have found contentment with my life now.

Crossstitchfan Sat 06-Jul-24 13:50:09

ayse

I’m looking forwards to having some pottering time. Tomorrow and until September it’s very busy. One DD is moving on Friday and I’m doing childcare for her Mon-Weds next week. DH had a cataract operation today and will be recovering. Once the youngest break-up it’s more childcare. (The are 9 right now but are very different and do loads of arguing). Then August visit family in Bristol, more childcare and camping holiday. Then A BREAK until school goes back. Then regular childcare and a week of holiday on The Broads. Then maybe I can potter on days I’m not child-caring.

Whew! I feel quite tired atm!

And you haven’t even started yet! 😀

Cagsy Sat 06-Jul-24 14:06:56

We run our small family business from home so it’s quite difficult not to be involved. My DH, 70, works more or less full time I, 72, declared myself semi retired but usually do a few hours and fill in for holidays etc. Our youngest DS works with us and older DS’ lovely partner also but part time and we give her paid time off when the DGC are on holiday and I usually have to step up a bit more then. As I did when DS and his partner had their first baby earlier this year and he had a month off, our 5th DGC but first for 11 years.
Last year we had 1 week abroad and a few days away in this country plus a couple of days at Christmas. So far this year we have had a week visiting DD and family in Spain. Sometimes it’s difficult even to sort out lunch with my lovely sisters and brothers in law.
It sometimes feels very frustrating at others I feel blessed that us and our children and grandchildren are healthy, have homes, plenty of food and we can take them out for something to eat now and then. DH and I are members of a community choir and have met some lovely people and have a great laugh every week and the odd performance. We babysat our new DGD for an hour this morning and all of us (except the Spanish contingent) are going out for brunch tomorrow so life is pretty good really.

Twig14 Sat 06-Jul-24 17:47:02

We are currently attending hospital appointments for my DH who has Cancer. Plus my 104 year old mother’s care home. I wake up in the morning and would love a day just pottering around it would be sheer bliss. I’ve also got an operation myself on Friday so hopefully post op I can just have a nice few days recovering. I hope we get some better weather and would love to sit out and enjoy the garden. Make the most of your time potteting

Grandmama Sat 06-Jul-24 17:56:52

I'm a potterer. I go out into the garden, not to do anything in particular, and an hour or more later I'm still there. A weed here, something to deadhead there - and so it goes on. When Reggie Perrin returned from the dead and visited his wife incognito, he said he did 'guttering and perching' and clarified this by adding 'Perching on gutters'. It's exactly what I used to say to my late DH when I disappeared into the garden.

NotSpaghetti Sat 06-Jul-24 19:09:02

Thinking of you Twig14.
You have a lot of stress just now. I hope the op is straightforward and that once it's over you have some "recharging of batteries" time.
flowers

Spencer2009 Sat 06-Jul-24 19:33:48

We all need ‘me time’

sarahcyn Sat 06-Jul-24 20:22:31

I notice that I can stand at the kitchen window watching birds faffing about in my tiny garden for long long minutes. I did this as a child …then life got busy for 60 years or so.
Second childhood?

Crossstitchfan Tue 09-Jul-24 19:32:08

Twig14

We are currently attending hospital appointments for my DH who has Cancer. Plus my 104 year old mother’s care home. I wake up in the morning and would love a day just pottering around it would be sheer bliss. I’ve also got an operation myself on Friday so hopefully post op I can just have a nice few days recovering. I hope we get some better weather and would love to sit out and enjoy the garden. Make the most of your time potteting

My word, that’s a lot to think about and deal with.
I just wanted to wish you the very best of luck for your op and I hope you get some rest after that. Surely, after an op, you simply must!
Hope your husband stays as well as possible too. 🤞

Harris27 Tue 09-Jul-24 19:35:32

Love pottering and because we both still work my days off are precious. I’m eighteen months off retiring and look forward to it and more pottering.

Crossstitchfan Mon 15-Jul-24 16:22:10

Aveline

I annoy myself. When I'm busy I wish I could have a day to myself to just potter or not do much at all. However, when I do have such a day I complain about having nothing to do. Can't win and I'm only in competition with myself!

Love this! And I know just what you mean!