How to Feel More Present in Your Own Life (Even on the Busiest Days)

Confession #159: Let’s be real: Between answering emails, packing school lunches, and trying to remember if I shampooed my hair (again), life can feel like one never-ending to-do list. You blink, and suddenly, it's March, and you're wondering how in the world we got here so fast. Sound familiar?

But there’s something I’ve learned over time—small moments of beauty and calm are waiting to be noticed. They’re the kind of moments you can feel if you allow yourself the space to be in them. Not thinking five steps ahead, not scrolling through your phone while Bluey plays in the background, but just here, right now.

As we kick off another busy season here at Whistle & Page, I thought I’d share a few simple but effective ways I’m working on being more present in my own life. And trust me, they’ll help you too—even on the busiest of days.

1. Start the Day With Your Hands, Not Your Phone

Before you do the usual check-my-phone routine in the morning, I’ve found it helps to start the day with something that feels real. Hold a warm mug of tea. Stretch your arms like you’re reaching for the sky. Hold your little one’s tiny fingers in yours (if you're lucky enough to have one). These small, tangible moments are grounding.

Working with clay does this for me. The weight of it in my hands, the way it responds to each movement—it’s the most present I feel all day. Even if pottery isn’t your thing (yet), finding something tactile to start your day with will make all the difference.

2. Romancing the Ordinary

Remember that one perfect scene from Gilmore Girls where Lorelai sips coffee like it’s the most magical thing on earth? The steam rising from her mug, the morning light flooding through the window—such a simple moment, but it feels like an event. That’s the magic of presence.

Notice the little things: Light a candle before you start work. Use the pretty mug, not the chipped one that’s been hiding in the back of your cupboard. Play that 90s Britney song while you cook dinner (or 2000s Mariah Carey if you're feeling fancy). It doesn’t have to be big to feel big.

3. Do One Thing at a Time (Yes, Really)

It’s easy to think we’re supposed to multitask—after all, there's so much to do! But I’ve been trying an experiment: just drinking my cup of tea without folding laundry or answering a text message at the same time. It sounds simple, but it’s strangely hard.

Try it. Be in the moment with the simple task. You’d be surprised how much more you appreciate things when you allow yourself to truly experience them.

4. Find Your ‘Reset’ Ritual

There are days when I feel like I’m about to lose it. The house is a mess, the list of things to do is endless, and all I want is to curl up and disappear. But then I remember my reset ritual: wedging clay. The feeling of the smooth, cool surface of the clay, the rhythmic push and pull—it’s my form of therapy.

If pottery isn’t in your toolbox, find something that helps you reset. Maybe it’s taking a deep breath outside, journaling a single line, or playing your favourite song from Year 10 and actually listening to it (yes, all the way through). Whatever it is, make it yours.

5. Create Something (It Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect)

Making things forces you into the moment. Whether you’re shaping clay, painting, or baking something new, creativity brings you back to the present. And it doesn’t have to be perfect—Lord knows I’ve made enough misshapen pots in my time—but it’s the process that counts.

So, give yourself the gift of creation. Even if it’s a funny little bowl or a half-baked cake, the act of creating is your moment to focus on something that isn’t a to-do list.

Presence is Just Paying Attention

You don’t need to change your whole life to be more present. You just need to pay attention to what’s happening right in front of you. The way the sunlight pours into the room at 4 pm. The smell of your child’s hair after a bath. The smooth curve of your favourite ceramic piece in your hands. These little moments matter.

Because life isn’t something happening later, when you’ve finished everything on your list. It’s happening right now.

As always, I’m here if you’re looking for a little creative outlet to ground you during the madness of life. Whether you want to try pottery for the first time or get back to it after a long break, I’d love for you to join one of my workshops. You deserve time to be present and experience something that feels good for the soul.

For more information, feel free to check out our upcoming workshops or explore our collection of handmade pottery.

Until next time,
Your friendly homebody potter from Murrumbateman.