When getting lost is a good thing

Potter about and let your mind wander

Among the many things I learned during the past year of juggling work with my daughter’s at-home schooling is this: while schedules and structure are essential to keep things running and organized, unstructured time is just as important.

I have always believed that spending unscheduled time engaging in small household tasks is both beneficial and enjoyable. But I have found it to be especially true during the pandemic. Just the act of letting myself wander from one activity to another is stress-relieving, making me feel that I have more space and freedom in my otherwise confining day.

And I’m not the only one. Many experts agree that stepping away from the computer and phone as you move through the house, tending to a variety of unremarkable tasks, is an act that can refuel us. It allows the mind to wander, ponder and even problem-solve while in this low-pressure state.

A recent book on this topic is Pottering: A Cure for the Modern Life by Anna McGovern. The Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary defines pottering as “to spend time in a pleasant, relaxed way, often doing small jobs in your house.” It’s what Americans refer to as “puttering,” as in “puttering about the garden.”

McGovern’s book is an ode to the virtues of this activity. She makes the important distinction between pottering and tackling a to-do list of chores and errands. Pottering is more meandering. It’s also subjective since what constitutes pottering for one person may seem like drudgery to the next.

A similar book but with a French inspired twist is The Art of Flaneuring:

How to Wander with Intention and Discover a Better Life. In this slim, witty and lively read, author Erika Owen defines flaneuring as “wandering with intention.” She includes many examples of how to incorporate this approach to living into our daily lives, both at home and at work.

Find these and other titles on the topic of stress management at cadl.org/catalog.

Cheryl Lindemann is a collection development specialist at Capital Area District Libraries, and a co-host of the Reader’s Roundtable Podcast.