Most of you reading these Cup o’ Kindness posts are here because . . . you make things with your hands. You knit. Or you quilt. Or sew or crochet or stitch or paint. I imagine you feel much the same way I do when you practice your craft . . . more grounded, comforted, calm.
It’s not so much that we need the objects we make. Rather, we simply enjoy the process of creating these items . . . “from nothing.” With just a little yarn and thread and needles and paper, we create lovely and unique things . . . with our hands and with our hearts.
The other day, I was overwhelmed with my list of all the things I really should be doing right now. (Finally) storing the boxes from my holiday decorating. Laundry. Prepping for our solstice party. Going to the grocery store. Cleaning my bathroom.
You know what I did, though?
I cleared a space on my art table and got my supplies out . . . all set to create a bunch of hand painted gift tags for my holiday gift giving.
Did I need to do that? As in . . . do I need gift tags in the first place?
(A few. Yes.)
Do I have plenty of leftover tags from years-gone-by that I could use?
(Yes. Yes I do.)
Ummm. So . . . no. I actually didn’t need to hand-make those gift tags.
But I would argue that . . . that wasn’t the right question to ask.
Because I’m really glad I took the time to make them. I’m really happy with the way they turned out. My time was well-spent, I think. No . . . my bathroom didn’t get clean and I am still behind on my laundry. But my gifts (those little . . . somethings . . . ) will be graced with a special touch now.
And I feel more grounded, comforted, calm.
That act of making was just what I needed.
(And now I can deal with the laundry.)
Take the time for making.
Move your hands.
“All that matters is that you are making something you love, to the best of your ability, here and now.”
– Rick Rubin, The Creative Act: A Way of Being
Come.
Fill your cup.
So true, so true. In my book, “chores” (laundry, bathrooms, kitchen floors) can always wait. Much more important (and fulfilling) to fill your time with things you enjoy doing.
I’m not sure who Rick Rubin is, but I agree with him. I was feeling a little anxious yesterday after I had finished my current Hitchhiker but didn’t yet have the next project on the needles. I settled on a hat for John and even though he doesn’t really need another hat, I feel the need to make one for him. Making things with my hands does help me feel grounded, comforted, and calm, and I think this will be even more important in 2025. Your gift tags are beautiful!
I have realized how truly precious making time is… as the brilliant Joni Mitchell said (sang?) “Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone…”
This season, I am absolutely savoring making time over laundry and cleaning the bathroom (although doing that is on my list today, lol)
Whatever it is, I’ve always been in it for the process, whether mindless or more intensive. There’s nothing better than getting “lost” in creativity. (Or, arguably, “found.”)
maybe we should broaden “need” to encompass our hearts? and then most definitely, you needed to make those tags! (just like today, I need to make bread and add more rounds to the sleeve of my sweater!)
I know many (non-crafting) people think that taking time to make something is a waste, particularly if we have a long to-do list, but I’ve always found that it quiets my mind and helps me to focus. And isn’t that what we all could use at this time of year? I love your handmade tags! I made some myself this year, but they were just card stock that I cut in the shape of a tag, punched a hole in, and wrote on. Next year I need to up my game!
Oh my goodness! I need gift tags!
I think I have finally internatlized in my last years that “shoulds” are real happiness and contentment killers. Laundry will wait, as will many other things. No one ever died from a delayed house cleaning. Cherishing our time is the most important thing in life, so I think you win the prize for life choices in this matter. There really is no contest, and if there is, you are the judge.