The joy of making something with your hands in today’s age
Today, it’s easy to get anything you want with just a few clicks on a screen, and yet, there is no substitute for the joy of making something by hand. Whether it’s shaping wood, molding clay, or stitching leather, there’s something meditative about working with your hands. Not only do you learn a valuable skill, but you also cultivate the patience and discipline to concentrate on a single task without interruption. In so doing, you will find a sense of peacefulness and renewal in the everyday.
What I like about handmade is that it doesn’t take much to get started. All you need is a few simple tools and an urge to try. If you’re new to working with your hands, you might start by whittling a small wooden figurine or by throwing a simple clay pot. And you’ll find that there’s joy in simply creating something from scratch. But as you get better, the things you make will also get better. You’ll learn to carve more carefully, or to sew more intricate patterns. Like the rest of life, the more you practice, the better you’ll get.
But aside from the personal advantages, handcrafting is also communal. Stories of successes and failures are often shared amongst makers in workshops and studios, and it is common for makers to focus on making something genuine rather than flawless. I also feel that this makes the process more enjoyable. Additionally, it fosters close relationships and extends our understanding of deliberate crafting.
Another reason is that handmade provides a form of slow living. It encourages sustainable living by reducing and reusing. Crafters typically use organic, natural or recycled materials for the project or opt for scraps. Crafted goods are more sustainable because they last longer than products from the mass production line. People learn to respect the products they use because they know the story behind the items and the work that went into making it.
But the truth is, if you dive into handcrafting you’ll find that the creative energy spreads to other parts of your life, improving your health. You learn to not fear failure, to be happy with small accomplishments and to enjoy the journey. Either as a hobby or something more profound, it brings you back to the reality that you are capable of creating something physical with your hands, and you begin to live a more whole and meaningful life.
