When discussing the therapeutic aspects of working with clay, the focus often turns to "mindfulness." While I acknowledge the healing potential of pottery, I believe its true power lies in its ability to transform our thinking over time, rather than achieving a temporary "zen-like" state during creation.
I've experienced that immersive zone where hands and mind collaborate, solving problems through tactile exploration. It's comforting, but I believe genuine healing emerges from sustained engagement with clay, whether in pottery classes or through clay kits at home.
Clay presents challenges—its unpredictable nature tests our resilience and drive. Despite setbacks, it offers endless learning opportunities. Failed attempts lead to deeper insights, revealing unexpected beauty in texture, color variations, or glaze experiments.
As we mould the clay, it mould us back, imparting lessons on patience, gratitude, and reflection.
Each mishap serves as a gentle nudge to slow down, appreciate the process, and adapt when outcomes diverge from expectations.
In essence, clay teaches us that failures are integral to growth, guiding us toward future successes through resilience and acceptance.
Whether in structured pottery classes at a nurturing pottery studio environment, or simply experimenting with a clay kits at home, the journey of working with clay is a transformative one.
Study showing how working with clay can reduce the stress hormone cortisol in the body:
How working with pottery can help reduce PTSD symptoms:
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