Are you feeling overwhelmed my friend? We can all feel this way at times…can’t we? So I thought we would reflect upon some great strategies when we begin to feel this way.
Before we do let’s grab a cuppa, a treat & get comfy. I’m having a large mug of Chai Latté which I’ve had a bit of a hankering for of late with a gf Nut & fruit peanut butter bar, both delicious!
I’m back blogging after a little break last month as I was beginning to feel just a little bit weary & overwhelmed in having to do all the things I had set myself to do, after the upheaval of our household. Thus I knew I had to be kind to myself & take a little time out to practice what I think is very important, looking after oneself.
So I took some time out to slow down & just potter this is an expression hubby & I use that says we’re doing things we need to do at our own pace. Yes, we definitely needed to get the house back in order & to some form of normality but at our pace.
Who’s Pace do you try & keep up with my friend?
I had already noticed that hubby was also a bit worn out & had decided to go at a slower pace in restoring his spaces in our home by pottering.
Hubby & I definitely work at different paces to each other, & we’ve noticed over the decades we’ve been married is that we can only go at our own pace sucessfully. While we may need to adjust our individual pace at times to be in step with each other over major life issues, overall we give each other the grace & space to travel at God’s pace in our marriage & as a couple.
And as we age it’s important to be aware that we can’t necessarily do what we used to do or alternatively while we may still be able or capable, definitely not at the same pace we once did, as shared in;
This is where kindness & gentleness comes in with each other & ourselves. But one thing we’ve noticed when the overwhelm begins to hover overhead is that the best strategy is to give it all to the Lord in prayer first & foremost, then slow down our schedules & tackle our ‘To Do lists’ by just pottering.
And enjoy a little break from the other things in our lives in a place of Sanctuary, which I shared in;
Remembering God is our ultimate Sanctuary! But how can we be with Him or hear Him when we’re rushing around & pushing ourself beyond our limit & not taking care of our body, mind & spirit?
Because He has said to all those who come to Him;
“I will refresh the weary and satisfy the overwhelmed.” Jeremiah 31: 25 Paraphrased
Do you enjoy pottering my friend? If so, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.
Until next time,
Jennifer
You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook
or in Prayer
© 2026 Jennifer M. Ross, All Rights Reserved. Photo by Lisa from Pexels pexels.com
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It’s so important to listen to our bodies and take time to slow down and recharge. I’m glad you and your hubby have found a good rythm that works for you, even if you have different speeds naturally.
So important to understand each other and that each person has their own rythms that work best for them. I think things run smoother when people are allowed to be themselves and go at their own pace.
I agree Char, too often we try & mould people into our expectations rather then allowing them to be who they were created to be.
Lovely having you jon me in a cuppa! 😊
Thank you for sharing your post with us at SSPS 419. You are being featured on Monday
Thank you Esme, that’s a lovely surprise! 😊
I regularly take a day or two each week to just potter around the home… I am looking after my parents now (we recently built a granny flat in our backyard for them) and I found I need to have those days to recharge! It is amazing how just pottering helps me feel so much less overwhelmed…. thanks for sharing this lovely post… xx
You’re most welcome Joy! I agree pottering is just what we need at times to reboot. Lovely having you join me here in a cuppa. 😊
Jennifer, your words offer a quiet breath of peace right when it’s needed. Thank you. And welcome back, I hope that you enjoyed your blogging break.
Thank you Stephanie, I did indeed! 😊
We call it puttering, but it’s the same idea. Sometimes it involves small but not urgent tasks done at our own pace, usually on a free afternoon when nothing else is pressing. I love those afternoons. It’s true, as we get older, we can’t go full tilt like we used to. When I thought I was doing good by pushing myself, I suffered for it the next day. But little by little, things get done.
I think we were creaated to potter/putter Barbara with the Great Potter. As it really is enjoyable going at our own pace & as you mention things get done little by little, bit by bit.
Lovely having you join me in a cuppa today. 😊
Yep, Jennifer, we’re puttering around here, too. Upended my online writing schedule, traveling a lot, and very content to live life gently and quietly when home.
Showing myself a whole lot of grace and space.
Gratefully, happily.
That’s wonderful to hear Linda! Enjoy! 🤗
I had not heard that word before, Jennifer. I immediately thought, I wonder if she will potter with the Potter 🙂 It is a blessing to have our God so tenderly care for us, give us breaks, slow us down and bring refreshment to our souls. Precious post!
Thank you Joanne. I did indeed potter with the Potter Joanne & feel refreshed & renewed. ☺️
I admit I had to look up the word “potter” to see if it’s the same thing as we call “putter.” And it is. 🙂 I thought so, just by context. I’m glad you realized the need to just potter around after the upheaval. We all need to do that from time to time. After having our walls repainted and new carpet installed last fall, I STILL haven’t put pictures back on our walls. I love the look of a totally clean space (even though I would also love seeing the photos). One day I’ll do it. But not today. 🙂
It’s so interesting how we use various words with the same meaning Lisa. I find it fascinating! 😊
Yes, I hear you, I haven’t hung artworks on most walls again yet, hubby loves the clean wall look too. I’m leaning towards something new & different in artworks but am still undecided.
Our family photos live on shelves in our bookcases but we have minimised them to one photo of each family unit now (we have a very large family) & all other photos went into albums. We both like the minimal look. 😊
Jennifer, we are trying to go at a slower pace. I am actually better at slowing down than my husband. He works so hard and doesn’t take enough time to just rest. It is good to see you back on your blog. You were missed!
Thank you Pam it’s lovely to be back & to know I was missed sweet friend 🥰.
My hubby used to be very similar to Butch in constantly working but his chronic health issues changed that & now he knows he needs to pace himself with a balance of activity & restful pottering.
Hope you enjoy your celebrations!
When we try to do everything, we end up doing nothing well. I’m glad you took time to refresh and renew.
I agree Barb! It’s lovely to be back feeling refreshed. 😊