Myq this is unrelated but as fellow Fans of Sophie I wanted to tell you my partner and i are seeing you headline the comedy show at the Lincoln lodge at the end of the month! Our other friend is MCing! Can’t wait!
They did a lot of puttering in the Blitz, though; they wouldn’t have seen a contradiction there— I think Orwell said something about that, unless he didn’t and I’ve just made that up
Thank you so much for the permission to putter! I was just talking to my therapist about how I tend to putter more in the winter months and feel guilty for it, as a person who usually thrives on focus and structure. But these days, puttering (or piddling, as my family calls it) is what soothes my brain the most. This is exactly the reframing I needed to be kinder to myself in this season <3
I adore a good putter, (we call them potters in our house, but no idea where that came from). But it is so much to do with state of mind. What get's achieved is a bonus, but there is no (or very little) expectation attached.
Other wise it veers too much into a Malcolm in the middle sketch that we end up imitating far too often when we start trying to achieve anything practical here:
I think you'd be into a book called Confessions of A Cleaning Lady, which I believe was a compilation of zines, by Lois Volta. She's a Philadelphian who also has/had a podcast about feminism. I can't bear much music with words when I write. I enjoy listening DOMi + JD Beck over and over.
I adore the “give a mouse a cookie” concept and I’m frequently surprised when I get a blank look when I mention it. Such a good explanation of how one thing inevitably leads to another!
Thank you for this letter! I puttered all day last Saturday and I felt slightly guilty about it. Which is pointless and I’m working on letting that go! But it was so satisfying to do something like, for example, take all the stuff off the top of my dresser, dust it, get rid of some stuff, rearrange it, feel the memories attached to the stuff, etc. I’m glad it did that.
I’m so excited to someday read your book. It sounds awesome.
Background music: Leon Bridges’s new album is pretty cool and kind of soothing.
i tend to do most of my puttering in the kitchen. usually while i’m baking something. i don’t have a large kitchen, but i do love spending time there. i’m going to see if maybe this year i can expand my puttering to various parts of the house. i love the idea of dedicating time to puttering each week. i think that sounds delightful and a nice resolution to take on for 2025.
It is always eye opening and hard and wild when I read/listen to some of the "cis het" dynamics people have experienced. My own family growing up (for whatever reason) was entirely opposite. My father, the only one who also works outside the home, is the only one who does all the cleaning up, tidying, putting away, noticing, scheduling, keeping things on track, grocery shopping, cooking, attuning to people. While my mother just exists in her own world. Doing beautiful creative things but not really contributing to the runnings of the household or the necessary tasks. In truth, it sounds like perhaps ALL she does is putter. At everyone else's expense, almost? In any event, lots for me to think about.
I am notoriously bad at choosing music for myself, but I enjoy these two playlists while I work:
For background audio: I just discovered https://www.tree.fm which allows you to tune into field recordings from various forests around the world, which just makes my heart sing! It’s like a sound machine but so much better. Some recordings are markedly longer than others, so I recommend skipping around until you find a longer one if you prefer uninterrupted sound :)
I love Luke. I think he learned hard lessons early and learned to be grateful. Then of course he is also a saint, and who knows where they come from. On the other hand, he married the most amazing person ij the world.
dear sophie,
wonderful piece!
"He is content enough to eat soup cold, out of the fridge, and find it delicious and satisfying."
HARD RELATE!
"He is content enough to sometimes lie on the couch and actually read through a New Yorker, never looking at the table of contents."
NEVER LOOKING AT THE TABLE OF CONTENTS?!?
"I like to fill my weekends with plans and people; Luke likes to make sure he putters."
A BEAUTIFUL DICHOTOMY!
AT LEAST YOU BOTH AGREE THAT IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THINGS START WITH "P"!
thank you for sharing!
love
myq
Myq this is unrelated but as fellow Fans of Sophie I wanted to tell you my partner and i are seeing you headline the comedy show at the Lincoln lodge at the end of the month! Our other friend is MCing! Can’t wait!
Amazing! I'm looking very much forward to it!
They did a lot of puttering in the Blitz, though; they wouldn’t have seen a contradiction there— I think Orwell said something about that, unless he didn’t and I’ve just made that up
I'd really love to know if you find a source for this quote!
Sophie, I just spent a good 20 minutes puttering in my Airbnb. This newsletter is everything!
Also re: bread, I wish I could share with you the delight of after hours bread vending machines in Belgium!
Say more.
Recently I’ve been loving Matt Pond PA as background music for writing! Another favorite: Alexi Murdoch.
Thank you so much for the permission to putter! I was just talking to my therapist about how I tend to putter more in the winter months and feel guilty for it, as a person who usually thrives on focus and structure. But these days, puttering (or piddling, as my family calls it) is what soothes my brain the most. This is exactly the reframing I needed to be kinder to myself in this season <3
I adore a good putter, (we call them potters in our house, but no idea where that came from). But it is so much to do with state of mind. What get's achieved is a bonus, but there is no (or very little) expectation attached.
Other wise it veers too much into a Malcolm in the middle sketch that we end up imitating far too often when we start trying to achieve anything practical here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5W4NFcamRhM
I think you'd be into a book called Confessions of A Cleaning Lady, which I believe was a compilation of zines, by Lois Volta. She's a Philadelphian who also has/had a podcast about feminism. I can't bear much music with words when I write. I enjoy listening DOMi + JD Beck over and over.
I adore the “give a mouse a cookie” concept and I’m frequently surprised when I get a blank look when I mention it. Such a good explanation of how one thing inevitably leads to another!
this goes below. but my brain is too tired to fix it
I call this the “give a mouse a cookie” effect at our house!
the give a mouse a cookie thing happens to me when i’m packing to leave on a trip. everything eventually gets done but oh boy what a ride.
Thank you for this letter! I puttered all day last Saturday and I felt slightly guilty about it. Which is pointless and I’m working on letting that go! But it was so satisfying to do something like, for example, take all the stuff off the top of my dresser, dust it, get rid of some stuff, rearrange it, feel the memories attached to the stuff, etc. I’m glad it did that.
I’m so excited to someday read your book. It sounds awesome.
Background music: Leon Bridges’s new album is pretty cool and kind of soothing.
Also, why is garden puttering the best puttering?
as a kitchen witch i do prefer kitchen puttering. but i do see the appeal of the garden! i just don’t have a green thumb 😁
i tend to do most of my puttering in the kitchen. usually while i’m baking something. i don’t have a large kitchen, but i do love spending time there. i’m going to see if maybe this year i can expand my puttering to various parts of the house. i love the idea of dedicating time to puttering each week. i think that sounds delightful and a nice resolution to take on for 2025.
The cold soup thing shocked me to my core, I'll admit.
It is always eye opening and hard and wild when I read/listen to some of the "cis het" dynamics people have experienced. My own family growing up (for whatever reason) was entirely opposite. My father, the only one who also works outside the home, is the only one who does all the cleaning up, tidying, putting away, noticing, scheduling, keeping things on track, grocery shopping, cooking, attuning to people. While my mother just exists in her own world. Doing beautiful creative things but not really contributing to the runnings of the household or the necessary tasks. In truth, it sounds like perhaps ALL she does is putter. At everyone else's expense, almost? In any event, lots for me to think about.
I am notoriously bad at choosing music for myself, but I enjoy these two playlists while I work:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DWUvZBXGjNCU4?si=VWM6fueVQpG0WA_eveAY5A
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4rx3zR4CGngpLjPDO4L7Xu?si=2uKgF2YvQpCKqfUUZ1BUlg
Also, ugh, the heartbreak of smart students entrenched in our systematically unequal world.
Also this IG post has a ton of playlists chosen to be different POV
https://www.instagram.com/p/DEim4a7SyNS/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
Good burritos do not come with lettuce.
For background audio: I just discovered https://www.tree.fm which allows you to tune into field recordings from various forests around the world, which just makes my heart sing! It’s like a sound machine but so much better. Some recordings are markedly longer than others, so I recommend skipping around until you find a longer one if you prefer uninterrupted sound :)
I love Luke. I think he learned hard lessons early and learned to be grateful. Then of course he is also a saint, and who knows where they come from. On the other hand, he married the most amazing person ij the world.