Source: Photo by Courtney Cook on Unsplash
I’ve always been intrigued by the art of pottery. This year was the year I finally made the time to dive into it, and a single trial class quickly turned into a weekly practice. I realized that I loved working with my hands and channeling my creativity in such a different way than I was used to. The positive energy from, and camaraderie with, my fellow students was also infectious: Many new friendships were forged.
But beyond the fun of learning a new skill and making new friends, pottery imparted valuable life lessons that I hadn’t anticipated. Here are five that I’ve taken from the wheel into everyday life.
1. Balance is everything.
When you’re throwing or turning on the wheel, balance is everything. If you apply too little pressure with your hands, nothing happens. If you apply too much pressure, the whole form can collapse. If the clay is too wet, it’s hard to shape. If it’s too dry, it can crack. If you fire it too hot in the kiln, it can melt. Too cold and it won’t dry enough. Glaze it too much and the glaze won’t stick evenly. Glaze it too little and you’ve got a piece that’s rough in some parts. In every stage of the pottery journey, I realized that balance was key. This reminded me that it’s the same in life.
It’s smart to aim for not too much or too little, but just the right amount. This is especially true when we talk of work-life balance. Studies have shown that having a healthy balance not only lowers your stress but boosts your mental well-being in general. It’s the same when it comes to how you move, how much you rest, and what you eat. Balance.
2. Sometimes things don’t go to plan, and that’s OK.
This happens surprisingly often in pottery, especially when you’re experimenting with new techniques, different clays, and original colors. The clay has a life of its own and there is no certainty of what happens in the kiln. Bowls crack, handles come loose, colors change. It’s OK; pottery isn’t linear and neither is life.
Learning to embrace the unexpected builds your resilience, making you better equipped to deal with whatever challenge comes next. See life, and pottery, for the adventure it is and get ready for some surprises.
3. Focus on the process, not the outcome.
You can control the process by doing your best. At the end of the day, that is all you can do, in pottery and in life. The final outcome, however, has more variables than you expect, and hence could still end up as something other than what you planned. That’s the reality of life: You can’t control the outcome. That’s why shifting your perspective to focus on the process is the most likely way for you to find flow, joy, and a sense of satisfaction.
4. Breathe and relax.
There is a poster on the wall of the pottery studio that says exactly this: Breathe and Relax. And it’s for a good reason. The clay will feel your tension and stress as you transmit it through your working hands. It will not like pressure that comes from an unbalanced, negative place. If you want it to work with you, you need to bring your serenity to play. A calm, present mind is just as useful in pottery as it is in life. Research has shown that a regular mindfulness practice will improve your mood, mental clarity, and overall relaxation.
5. Be brave enough to play.
Try different techniques. Throw one day, sculpt another. Test different slips, glazes, and colouring methods. Pretend you’re a child in kindergarten just having some fun. Engaging in creative play like this stimulates the brain’s reward pathways, boosting dopamine levels and mood. Furthermore, playful experimentation also fosters innovative thinking and builds your emotional resilience. So, what are you waiting for? Explore, play, and experiment. Life is too short not to have fun.
