I'm Busy! And I've Got No Time!

We’ve all met that person who’s always too busy. They can’t, meet, get a coffee or take a holiday because there’s too much work, they’ve barely got time to walk the dog, and they’re forever skipping the gym because their schedule simply doesn’t allow it. And, if I’m honest, I was one of them—constantly on the go, always looking for that next achievement. Somehow, being busy felt like a sign of importance, a mark of productivity. But was it really?

I recently stumbled upon a video that got me thinking. It talked about the art of puttering—doing things slowly, at your own pace, and without a set goal in mind. It may sound simple, but it hit me like a revelation. Life doesn’t have to be a constant sprint from one task to the next. Maybe the real joy, the real balance, lies in giving ourselves permission to slow down, to do things just for the sake of doing them.

Busy, Busy, Busy -

For years, I was caught in what I now see as the “productivity trap.” Every day was a cycle of tasks, meetings, and goals. I wore my busyness like a badge of honour, as if it somehow proved my worth. And the funny thing is, I thought I was doing great. The more packed my schedule, the more productive I felt, even if I was too exhausted to actually enjoy any of it.

But this constant productivity often left me feeling frustrated. I was constantly measuring myself against some distant goal, with little sense of progress. The big goals that were supposed to motivate me were actually adding pressure. And somewhere in that busy haze, I lost sight of the things I genuinely enjoyed—the little moments, the “unproductive” things that made me feel alive.

Then came puttering.

If you’re unfamiliar with the term, it’s as simple as it sounds: it’s about doing things in a leisurely way, without rushing or expectations. I’d never given much thought to it, but the idea felt liberating. Imagine having a morning where you’re not checking your emails or ticking off your to-do list. Instead, you’re watering the plants, making a cup of coffee, or wandering around the house doing little things just because.

It’s about savouring the moment, doing things for the pleasure of them, not to meet a deadline or impress anyone. And here’s the surprise—puttering doesn’t just relax you; it recharges you. In those unstructured moments, you can let your mind breathe, let your thoughts wander, and find enjoyment in the ordinary. It sounds so simple, yet when was the last time any of us truly embraced that freedom?

Burnout isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a sign that we’ve been pushing too hard, often for too long. Constantly chasing the next thing, and the next thing after that, leaves little room for ourselves. I learned that first-hand, and I know now that taking a step back isn’t a waste of time—it’s a way to recharge and reset.

Puttering isn’t about avoiding productivity; it’s about prioritising well-being. And ironically, by doing less, we often find more clarity, creativity, and even motivation. When we take that time to slow down, we’re not losing out. We’re giving ourselves the opportunity to reconnect with what truly matters, and we’re coming back to our tasks with fresh eyes and renewed energy.

Slowing Down!

What I’ve realised is that life isn’t a race. It’s okay to set goals, but it’s just as important to let go of that “busy badge” and focus on the moments in between. Those are the moments that bring joy, that make the journey worthwhile. The moments where we’re just living, not constantly striving.

So, here’s to embracing the art of puttering. Here’s to finding pleasure in the slow moments, the unstructured moments, and the quiet times that too often go unnoticed. Life doesn’t always have to be full throttle; sometimes, the best thing we can do is take a step back?and?breathe.