The Craft of Happiness
One thing I had instilled in me by my parents is that it’s never too late to learn something new. I didn’t understand it, why they would voluntarily go back into the classroom in the evenings when they could be watching TV or be out enjoying themselves?. They learned to paint, to build musical instruments, to play music, to speak German, to take photographs. They’re still doing it now, in their seventies.
Now, though, I know what they know — that learning a craft or any other skill isn’t about taking exams or winning prizes. It’s a way to joy and fulfilment, to nurture yourself, to do something that can make you very, very happy. The learning mindset I got from my parents is one I’ll be forever grateful for.
The feeling of progress is the real buzz for me, Yes, you may start by making a huge mess (it’s part of the fun, I think) but you’ll find you improve — at your own speed of course — and this is much more likely if you’re enjoying yourself. I often come out of courses filled with energy and ideas. It’s an uplifting experience!
I can be evangelical (or possibly annoying) about learning, and particularly about learning a craft. Yet the more I have these conversations the more I realise many people I meet worry about starting to learn something new, especially in adulthood. They think they are “far too old to learn anything now” or are anxious that they’ll be the oldest in the class; they’ll feel self-conscious or out of place.
Here’s the thing — even though you might be the oldest in the class, its fine!
People care very little about how many birthdays you’ve had once you’re in a learning community — be that a night class, an online course or a creative retreat in the woods. The thing you have in common here is your desire to learn to sew/improve your photography or carve spoons, not that you were all born around about the same year.
People also tell me they won’t try because they “can’t do it” and would feel foolish making mistakes. They fear they’ll be the only total beginner in the group. This is a completely understandable fear to have, and I have it too. I’ve felt sick with nerves before some workshops but it usually passes within five minutes of everyone saying hello.
It’s useful to remember that if you’ve joined a class then everyone in it is there to learn. No-one should be there to show off or be a know all (yes, it can happen, I’m pretty sure the tutors dislike this as much as the rest of the class). Most workshops are filled with people who are there to gain skills and support each other. Making mistakes is how we learn. Making mistakes alongside other learners is really helpful as we learn from each other, as well as the tutor.
No-one will be judging you if your cake is a bit wonky, or your first piece of crochet looks a bit more bird’s nest than baby hat. I do wonder how much the TV competitions — pottery, baking, painting, all seem fair game - feed into these fears and, while encouraging some people to take a craft up, put others off entirely.
I’ve made some awful stuff in my time and I’ve had some disasters — the bottom fell off the first ever pot I made when it was fired, I have unravelled large swathes of knitting, my photography is improving, though I still take many pictures to get the ‘one’. But, there is no law to say you have to put what you created on display. What you’ve made can be recycled, remade or thrown out if you really feel it’s mocking you. I like to keep things — some admittedly in deep dark cupboards — so I can check my progress.
You have very little to lose and a lot to gain by having a go, learn the craft you’ve always wanted to learn! It’s good for your mental well-being, whatever your creative outlet. When you give something your full attention you can enter into creative flow, which is pretty much a kind of meditation. It makes me feel calmer and more at one with things, the brain stops chattering, all I am focused on is the task in hand.
“Just start” is advice I see a lot, it’s good advice — if you want to learn something creative you should do it. Go and find someone to teach you, or you can teach yourself. One of the many marvels of the internet is there is someone to show you ‘how’ for every subject under the sun, though it is also useful to find a place to discuss things online with other learners in a supportive learning community. I’m pretty sure you won’t regret it — though bear in mind, once you have the learning bug, it can be hard to stop!
This is the first time I’ve written for Medium as part of the Makelight Thread publication. I like to learn to do new things! I have a blog at at http://makewalkread.co.uk/ where I write about creativity, and the reading and nature which inspire mine.
