Discover Slow Living Habits Through The Art Of Pottery
A slow living is a way of life that encourages people to prioritise mindfulness over speed and action over efficiency. It encourages you to connect to what is truly important, whether that is connections or even self care.
What daily habits can transform my life through slow living?
1. Working With My Hands (Pottery Changed Everything)
Spending time at the pottery wheel offered more than a creative space; it offered real-life lessons in slow living.
The Pottery craze slowly swept into my life, but it was loud.
When I first touched clay, I realized:
There is no way to speed up the procedure.
If you press it hard enough to collapse, it will.
If you lose focus, it wobbles.
If you attempt to limit your efforts, your body resists.
Thus, I took my time and slowed down.
Making clay appear on the wheel turned into a contemplation. The constant spin, the soft pressure of my fingers, and the soft texture of the clay drew me into the present.
In this world where everything is instantaneous, pottery has taught me:
- The ability to persevere is an art
- Imperfection is gorgeous
- More important is the process than the final product
Still, shaping an ordinary bowl feels like therapy.
2. Listening To Soul Music
As a teen, I would fall asleep with my music playing around my bedside table. I was so enthralled by music that I was unable to bear the silence even while I fell asleep. However, somewhere in the process, I got overwhelmed by the bustle of Arabian life, and the relentless effort to “make it”, I eventually and consciously abandoned the pleasure of music. I quit singing (I am not a great singer, but it’s still! Ha). I stopped lying on my sofa on Saturday afternoons while listening to music in the background. My life became much more focused on “making something of myself” than on living my life to the fullest.
3. Making Everyday Moments Feel Intentional
My day was a blur of tasks.
Get up. Check my phone. Get up early for breakfast. Work. Scroll. Sleep. Repeat.
There was nothing right–but there was nothing that felt especially meaningful, either.
It felt like life was happening behind the scenes while I was rushing through a list on the front.
Slowly living has challenged this routine.
The conversation prompted me to ask a very simple query: What if the little moments you spend in your life were the ones that mattered most?
It was there that intentional living first began for me, not in huge, life altering events, but in choosing to stay aware in everyday situations.
Useful link: Benefits of pottery for kids
What Was My First Experience At Creative Hands Pottery Studio Like?
I walk through the Creative Hands Pottery Studio looking to test something completely new.
It was a surprise to me how much that single decision would lead me into the world of the slow life.
My First Step Into Slowness
When I walked into the studio, I seemed different.
There was more than just the clay’s earthy scent or the hushed rhythm of wheels on the clay; it was the speed. The whole experience felt relaxed. Grounded. Intentional.
Nobody was hurrying. Nobody was multitasking.
Clay hands. Focused minds. Bodies present.
The Moment I Touched Clay
It’s an incredible feeling of humbling making clay.
You can’t dominate it. You can’t rush it. It’s impossible to pretend to be able to pass it.
I recall sitting behind the wheel, a bit anxious and slightly exuberant. My instructor guided me gently:
“Don’t try to force it. Feel it.”
My hands at first were uneasy. The clay was wriggling. The clay’s shape would not cooperate.
However, then something happened.
I stopped trying to influence the result and began taking note of the force of my hands and the subtle movements shaping the clay.
In that instant, the rest of the world faded away.
No alerts. Don’t overthink. There is no rush.
All I have is clay.
Learning Patience The Slow Way
Pottery is a way to teach without saying a word.
Like patience.
If you rush, the item will fall.
When you lose focus, the image distorts.
If you’re looking for perfection, you’ll be dissatisfied.
Each step, from shaping to firing — takes time.
The time doesn’t have to be anything that you can “get through.” It’s part of the process.
I realized how much of my existence was spent striving to make faster. It was also how insignificant that actually was.
The Beauty Of Imperfection
Every single thing I created on that day came out perfect.
Some were uneven. A few lean slightly toward one direction. A single one completely disintegrated midway through.
Yet, I loved them.
Since they were real.
In an age of perfection, the polished look of pottery reminds me that flaws don’t matter; they’re characters.
A Different Kind Of Productivity
Before my experience, I measured my productivity by output—how many things I completed, how quickly I moved through my work, and how efficiently I worked.
However, at Creative Hands Pottery Studio, productivity levels were different.
It looked as if:
- The ability to be fully engaged in an assignment
- Take your time and don’t worry
- Making something worthwhile, no matter how simple
Then I walked away with something much more important–a feeling of peace I’d not felt for a while.
How Did Pottery Introduce Me To Slow Living?
Pottery Forces You to Be Present
The first time I got behind the wheel, I saw that this isn’t something you need to think about in addition to other things.
Clay demands attention.
The movements of your hands, as well as the pressure that you exert on the wheel — everything requires attention. If your mind is distracted from your focus, the form changes.
Then it clicked:
Why Is Pottery So Calming?
Pottery is a natural, peaceful character.
The repetitive movement of the wheel
The tactile experience of clay
The tranquil, clear surroundings
The whole thing works to relax your mind.
In the next few minutes, I stopped worrying about emails and my cell phone.
I was there, creating.
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What Did Pottery Teach Me About Patience?
Can You Rush Pottery?
But that’s not the issue.
If you are rushing:
The clay shatters
The shape becomes uneven.
Pottery taught me an easy, but potent:
Certain aspects cannot and shouldn’t be rushed.
From drying and shaping to firing, each stage requires time.
What Makes Creative Hands Pottery Studio Ideal For Slow Living?
Is It Beginner Friendly?
Yes. One thing that really stood out to me was how warm and relaxed the atmosphere was.
It is not necessary to have prior experience. There is no requirement for any experience to be “good” at art.
What Makes the Experience Unique?
An peaceful space
Assistance without any pressure
The encouragement to be focused on the process and not on perfection
An environment of creativity that naturally reduces your speed
It’s not about just learning pottery. It’s also about observing peace.
Final Thoughts
I visited Creative Hands Pottery Studio to explore something different.
This slowdown is not an issue, it is just a method to reconnect.
In other cases all you need is an empty place, a spinner and a piece of clay in order to help you return in touch with yourself.
You may also find this helpful: how pottery benefits parents and kids
FAQ
1. What exactly is slow living?
Slow living is living your life and focusing on what is happening now.
2. Do I require experience for a class in pottery?
No, all levels are accepted. The program is intended to be fun and easy.
3. What is the reason pottery is considered to be an activity that is mindful?
Since it demands full concentration and stimulates your senses, it promotes a slow but more focused rate.