Pottery & Meditation: Rediscovering Patience, Mindfulness, and letting go of perfection
In a world fuelled by immediacy, my venture into the slow art of pottery became one that unfolds in the delicate dance between patience, mindfulness, and meditation. Where imperfections are celebrated, the body dictates the creative rhythm, and the spinning wheel becomes serene productivity.
Embracing Imperfections
As I dove into the world of pottery, each piece revealed its own story of transformation. The first year, marked by surprises and unpredictable outcomes, became a testament to the beauty found in imperfections. Letting go of the illusion of perfection, I learned to trust the process, realizing that the work itself speaks volumes about the journey it undertakes (maybe I’ll do a full post following a piece from start to finish). Each step comes with its unknowns and uncertainty. Though pottery is a science, there are so many variables that can change from one firing to the next. I started to realize the beauty in letting go of perfection and giving myself up to the pottery gods. Trust in the process and let the work speak for itself.
Listening to My Body: A Privilege and a Lesson
I’ve found in pottery the clay serves as a visual reminder of the importance of listening to my body. Acknowledging the days when creativity flows effortlessly and others when patience is the key. Many days I would show up to the studio with my thoughts elsewhere, attempting to create pieces on the wheel while my mind wandered. Predictably, nothing I made during those moments would turn out as intended, or even at all. Pottery has become a guide, revealing my peak creative periods and signalling when I need a break to disconnect and recharge. This awareness extends beyond the studio, influencing how I approach various aspects of my life. Fortunately, I have the flexibility to structure my days to align with my energy levels, prioritizing deep work in the mornings and meetings in the afternoons.
Unplugging for Mental Clarity
Working in marketing and business development, my days were consumed by screens. After work, I would move to “passion projects” of developing websites or branding, still on a screen... I was craving a physical activity that didn’t necessarily require a workout but had the same mental effect of disconnecting from technology. The act of creating something tangible with my hands and connecting to the earthy essence of clay was exactly the grounding I was craving. I can now feel the physical effects on my body if I haven’t been to the studio for a couple of days.
Meditation on the Wheel: Finding Calm in Repetition
With each spin of the wheel, I found myself entering a meditative state. The repetitive motion of shaping clay became my journey into calm focus and mindfulness. Whether accompanied by the comforting LOFI beats or my studio playlist, the spinning wheel transformed into a sanctuary—a place of serene productivity where the act of creation surpassed the need to be productive.
The end of a pottery session brings a unique sense of accomplishment. My tired back and forearms and a clay-covered outfit are now my badges of honour, tangible symbols of a day well spent immersed in the creative process.
In a society that often races towards the finish line, my journey into the slow art of pottery has been a personal revelation. It’s not just about crafting beautiful pieces; it's about savouring imperfections, knowing the rhythm of my own body, and finding solace in the meditative embrace of the spinning wheel.
