“I’m not sure why I find it beautiful to devote oneself obsessively to the creation of something that doesn’t matter, but I do.” – John Green, The Anthropocene Reviewed*
Clarity Kickstart:
Words cannot express how much I savor my cross-stitching hobby.
From an achievement perspective, it seems a bit ridiculous, really. Many of my projects will take years – even decades – to finish, if I’m able to finish them at all.
Several others will reach completion, then hang out in a bin for years before being framed or turned into a pillow.
And if you know anything about cross-stitch, you know that even a small project takes hours upon hours of concentration, counting, exact measurement, and stitch-by-stitch progress.
I definitely classify myself as an achiever. So, why do I bother dedicating hours to a hobby with little I can quantify as success?
Because I absolutely love it. I love the process, I love seeing the picture come to life (even if painstakingly slowly!), and I love the meditative benefits I experience along the way. It’s one of my best personal examples of joy purely for joy’s sake.
This week, create something solely for the sake of creating.
Sew. Paint. Bake. Write. Whittle. Build. Play.
Give yourself the gift of creating with no strings (or deadlines, or minimum requirements) attached. Perhaps ironically, your inner achiever will benefit greatly from the experience – as will your sense of self.
Enjoy!
*The Anthropocene Reviewed is our October pick for the Reading And Purpose Nonfiction Book Club, and new members are always welcome – come and join us!
Pictured cross stitch designed by Primitive Hare Designs and stitched by yours truly.