A Different Kind of Presence

The list of “things to do”, no matter how much I try to get through it, just keeps growing. It’s easy to get stuck in a headspace of “I need to get these things done”, rather than, “I need some time for me”.

So this week, I did something different.

I took some time for myself and completely disappeared into the creative, imaginative world of air-dry clay. I honestly can’t remember the last time I sat down to do something “crafty”.

Working with the clay was different. At first, I thought I needed to have some form of direction, a step-by-step “how-to” or a video to follow along. But I soon realised that I didn’t. I could make my own fun up as I went along.

The first thing I made was a simple snail, tapping into memories from my very young childhood of playing with homemade play dough. I rolled the clay out into a small worm then coiled it into the shape of a snail. Simple enough!

From there, I spent a couple of quiet hours experimenting – learning the texture of the clay, how much water was needed to keep it soft and pliable, how it felt in my hands, how pieces fit together, how to soften cracks and strengthen joins, noticing the subtle changes as it dried.

What surprised me most was how present I became.

As I used my imagination and allowed myself to get creative, I found myself far removed from the stressors of the day. My busy mind found somewhere safe to rest.

By the end, I was genuinely happy with what I had made. Even though my amusing attempt at a penguin evolved into a kiwi, I still felt proud, knowing I could try making a penguin again another day.

I usually find presence by being out in nature, that’s where my mind clears most easily. So I was surprised to find that this moment of presence came from doing something I’d been wanting to try for a while.

Being playful, making something with my hands, and using my imagination, I found a quiet joy that turned out to be just what I needed.

~ Rhonda ~