The ART of Puttering – “to do trivial tasks in a random, leisurely way”

My Mom & Dad - home in Oregon

I am a fan of “puttering” – especially in my home.  I met a woman years ago at my Feng Shui Training that set aside a full day each week for puttering.  When I heard her describe what it was like to take an entire day to BE in the flow of energy around her with no lists or agenda – I was hooked.  I wanted to know what that would feel like.  I set an intention to bring puttering into my life, and yet keep it simple.  Today I spend the beginning moments of my day surrendering to this sweet flow.  I get up first in my family and after putting the teapot on the stove, I let myself “be called” by my home.  I might water plants, wander outside and pull weeds, sweep my front porch, light candles, or put on music and move.  It is a divine way to start my day, at one with the rhythm of my world.

When I visited my parents in Oregon this last month, one of my deep joys was watching how both of them had their unique way of puttering in their home.  My mom is the queen of the kitchen.  She loves washing, drying and putting away dishes.  She then delights in wiping down the countertop and putting everything in place.  When I watch her I can actually SEE her in that sacred space connected with her home and loving it.  She and I share this kitchen thing.  She also loves to fold and put away laundry, along with wandering out to the garden to pick carrots or berries.  My dad, on the other hand, is the king of his land.  As soon as he wakes up he is outside – touching his many plants, playing in the dirt, or putting on the water.  I listen to the lullaby of his humming the whole time as he magically talks to the earth and all the wild creatures that now live happily in his back yard.  I especially love the three crows that come to visit every morning for their brand of morning tea. 

I feel this sweet nurturing art of puttering around our homes is becoming lost and forgotten in these insanely busy times.

Our theme at Clear & SIMPLE for the month of September is making your Home a Haven – a place you love waking up to and long to return to at the end of the day.  Also, for those of us blessed to have a home office, we want you to have a place that supports you in giving to the world (rather than distracting or stressing you).

I invite you to start now and let yourself be nurtured by your own home.  Let the simple practice of puttering, even for five minutes, become a way that makes your home a haven again.

SEE IT – First thing in the morning, take a look around and SEE what calls to you

captured in a morning cup of coffee

DO IT – After the first week, surrender to this practice and let it change your life.

I would LOVE to hear some of your favorite ways to putter in your home!

Marla Dee