Coffee Counter
Spills Today: 0 (a modern miracle)
I’ve officially been sheltering in place for 66 days, most of which I’ve managed to keep busy with work or sorting out my apartment. In some ways, it’s been nice to focus on the basics: keeping a clean space, taking my time while cooking, and working on my previously ignored projects.
For the most part, I tend to channel my creativity into making things. My sewing machine stays on my desk at all times, the (very amateur) ceramic pieces I’ve made deck out the shelves in the apartment, and macrame hangers cradle many of the plants in my place.
Lately, there’s been something about keeping my hands busy that also keeps my mind quiet. It’s so easy to find yourself spiraling these days, especially while being separated from friends and loved ones. I take comfort in the repetitive motions of macrame knotting, and my type A brain loves the symmetrical patterns created in each piece. Plus, on days when I feel creatively sapped, it’s a way to make the thing without having to conceptualize the thing. Does that make sense?
But, in all honesty, I’m running out of space for more plant hangers. Sure, I’ve got vines and leaves on pretty much every surface in my apartment, but there’s only so many plants you can hang. I started making coasters—which as someone living alone with minimal company isn’t the most practical. Before long, I’m going to start throwing my projects at friends and family. (Hope you all enjoy mediocre rope work!)
I can’t seem to stop making things, even though I’m running out of space and the need for more. Yesterday, I finished this hanging fruit basket I had been working on for weeks (meaning I started it, got frustrated, and stared at it with a scowl while trying to crawl out of another creative rut).
Maybe I’m just going full-on homesteader, but I’ve wanted a fruit basket for a while now. I found a 12-inch embroidery hoop at work (remember offices?), and for some reason, my brain went straight into suburban-mom craft mode. I decided I was going to make my own basket. Sure, I’ve never woven a basket before and I have minimal knotting knowledge, but I’m pretty damn stubborn, so who could stop me?
Let’s just say there were many failed attempts. I knew this was my first try at something like this, but each time I picked up the hoops, all I could do was stare at the poor attempts I had made. Attempt #1 looked more like a distorted dreamcatcher than anything, so I forced myself to untie every. single. knot. to keep from wasting cord. Attempt #2 was so lopsided I literally chucked the sad thing into my craft box across the room. A few expletives followed.
As the saying goes, somehow the third try was the charm. Turns out, the key was to not think about it so hard. Without getting too into the mess of my brain, I tend to shut myself down around extreme disarray, no matter the size. I can’t sleep with dirty dishes in the sink, I’ll rip apart projects I deem inadequate, and I’m not afraid to select all and smack the delete button when I get frustrated about a piece I’m writing.
Long story short, it’s so easy to get caught up in self criticism. I’ll spare you the speech you’ve heard a thousand times before, but I do have one request: Try and take it easy during this time of uncertainty. Keep creating, even if it feels different than before. We’re all swimming in a sea of anxiety, and it’s easy to forget how that creeps into the rest of our work.
Maybe I’m projecting, but keeping my mind tied up (literally) has helped keep me sane. I encourage you all to keep doing what you love, even if you need to curse out your projects a few times before finishing.
Cheers,
Katie
