The autonomy of creative pursuits

I had some really stressful weeks at work lately, and last week I didn't even have the headspace to knit. I barely made it outside, which is always a sign that things are not what they should.

One of the reasons why I write about making, slowness and mindfulness is because I struggle with paying attention and making time for joy. I am sure you do too, because we might be in different seasons of our lives and have different contexts, but we share the same world of constant noise and need to run to places and make yourself busy all the time.

This week, I've been reading Slow Productivity by Cal Newport (more info about the book below), and his argument is that, when we moved from the agricultural revolution (think working in fields) to industrial revolution (think working in factories), we were still able to measure productivity and mathematically calculate ways to increase output.

However, once we moved to the knowledge work revolution (think sitting at a computer all day) we weren't able to measure productivity in the same straightforward way. Actual productivity, creating meaningful, impactful things, was replaced with pseudo-productivity: answering emails and slack and mostly talking about the work.

I am very lucky to have a job I really love, yet I often complain about the rhythm I'm required to work at, churning out reports (I work in research) and managing too many projects at the same time. I'm pretty sure it's the same where you work.

This is very taxing, and I have to work hard to keep life-work boundaries where I need them, and I have to make a lot of effort to fill my cup and keep myself in balance. I wish I didn't have to make this constant effort, though, I wish the way we work would be at a more “humane rhythm” as Newport puts it.

And maybe just like you, this is why I am so drawn by the lives of folk long gone, by crafts that require only hands and some simple tools (and no screen), by slowing down time doing slow things. Paying attention. Looking up at the trees. Getting sun on my face.

This morning I got to sit down quietly and knit a bit. I had this idea of using red and white for some time, I've made multiple samples, bookmarks and things, just playing. And I started a red and white two colour brioche, such a simple thing, and it brought me such joy.

And I realized another benefit of making things. That in our hobbies and crafts, in our creative endeavours, we have autonomy. We decide what to make, when, where, what to use, when to change direction and to stop working altogether. Which, in today's working world, we don't have too much of.

What I am making

I needed a palate cleanser and a quick win, so I made a little scarf. I started using the instructions of the Knitting badge neckerchief by Niklas Heed and ended with a border of fan and feather lace. It was the first time I knitted that lace, and it was so exciting to learn how to make it (it's really easy!)

This is also my first warm weather knit because I used a cotton yarn.

Book of the week

Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout by Cal Newport

This is the latest book Newport wrote, he also wrote Deep Work and Digital Minimalism, among others. I recommend all of them.

In this book, Newport tries to make sense of why we are where we are with burnout and what's causing it. And suggests some ideas for working in a better way — without spreading ourselves thin and running around like headless chicken.

His ideas are centred around finding ways to do less, but better. And carving out work lives that allow us to create meaningful work, while still living well. Which is something I wish for all of us.

May your days be filled with mindful moments. Until next time, be present.

Sky