Learning a new trade is the most invigorating, refreshing, and cathartic thing someone can do for their soul. I recently picked up pottery and have been at it for about 2 months and I absolutely love it. What is most interesting about it, is that you learn about culture, the origins of the trade, the kinds of tools you use, and the different techniques you can do. And that’s the key phrase: “you can do” because one discovers something else one can do!
For me, something about using my hands, put me at peace. Creating. My hands, at many times, insignificant and overlooked were working, molding, and building. Upon sitting and really contemplating all the things that hands do on a daily basis, they truly are remarkable. Everything around us is created by two hands and ten fingers.
“The hand is the visible part of the brain” - Immanuel Kant
The patience and precision in pottery forces one to take notice of these things.