to let go of control, try practicing
how my pottery workshops embrace pleasure in the process
Toward the end of summer, I switched off my phone and hiked down into the Grand Canyon for a week. I wasn’t sure of what to expect so, aside from an inundation of natural beauty, I didn’t expect much of anything. The one aspect I did consider was how to keep a screen out of my hands for the entire week while still capturing the beauty in a way I could look back on. I landed on a film camera, one I wouldn’t feel dismay over should it wash away in the muddy waters of the Colorado River.
I stuffed my new used camera and three rolls of film in the bottom of my pack and occasionally pulled it out throughout the week, snapping a photo here and there before swiftly slipping it back into my bag. It was refreshing, relinquishing all power over how the image would turn out. I couldn’t immediately see each photo and uncover some aspect of disappointment - crooked framing or someones closed eyes - leading to an attempt to capture it again in my venture for the perfect image. I wasn’t even sure the film would turn out at all. It could have been soaked in the heavy rains we got that week, exposed to the light when I opened the back of the camera, scanned through TSA x-ray machines on my way back to New York or lost in the mail on it’s way to be processed.
Coming to terms with the potential loss gifted me a sense of peace, allowing me to soak in the process of the experience. I relished letting go of control, feeling fully present in every moment. I gave in to the adventure rather than fussing over the outcome.
The photos aren’t perfect, which somehow makes them perfect in their own way. The captured images feel akin to how they live in my memory - a little blurred, slightly warped, with hazy colors, and fuzzy lines where the earth meets the sky.
In letting go of the outcome, I offered myself the chance to savor in the sweetness of the process and then feel deep gratitude when I was able to relive it all over again.
My little film project offered me low stakes practice in letting go, releasing control over something small so I can learn to do the same for the bigger things in life.
This is the same experience I offer in my pottery workshops. If you’ve ever made anything out of clay, you know how difficult it can be. I have so much more appreciation for your work, I hear from people after they take a pottery class.
My workshops aren’t meant for mastery of a craft. They are a safe space to practice relinquishing control and relishing in a process of creativity among other humans. They are for laughing and releasing perfectionist tendencies and creating something simply for the joy of it.
May we all find ways to practice letting go of the outcome, so we may gift ourselves pleasure in the process.
I hosted 18 beautiful humans in my home yesterday for a mindful morning of clay and togetherness and letting go of imperfection and outcomes. It was magical and I hope to add two more workshops to my schedule before the end of the year (virtual or in-person in NYC)! You can find out more here.
Carrying these thoughts on inner peace with me.
Adding this to my wish list of coffee table books.
Looking to include a little more awe to my day-to-day.
And a pretty puzzle, if you’re looking for an active meditation.
⋰ email: grace@cadywest.com