Rituals

It's been a great week so far but very emotionally charged. So even if it's all been good, it's easy to get swept up in all the excitement, and the pace of NYC is what's driven me to the clay to begin with.

Oftentimes, people make it a point to slow down when things are going rough. The panic is often the trigger to take time and take care. To me, it's just as important to slow down when everything is on the up and up. Just because things are good and everything is exciting, doesn't mean I should let it control me. On the contrary, might be even more crucial to take stock and make sure we're not taking things for granted. 

Today, I took things extra slow. In fact, been carving out time over the past 6 months wherever I can. Little things like scheduling an hour transit time between meetings, so I can walk instead of rushing and scrambling with cabs or the MTA-forsaken subway. Building in time into my mornings for my daily rituals. Though it might seem little, the cup of green tea, the meditation, the sun salutations, the candle, the reading, the writing, the keeping the phone silent and in the other room–every little part of my morning is a big part of why the rest of my day goes smoothly.

In the clay studio, it's hard not to want to rush through "the stupid" stuff: wedging clay, washing tools, cleaning the wheel, wiping down surfaces. It's easy to slog through them, just trying to get them over with as soon as possible. Today, I actually enjoyed the process. The washing. The cleansing. The way that water makes everything shiny and fresh again. All the new pops of blue that I'm seeing everywhere. All the little things that bring me peace and a moment of stillness.

Måns gave me a Baleia Blu blue "claypron," and it's the best. It's split down the middle, so that it actually works when you're on the wheel. And it's so beautifully blue.

Little buddha was covered in snow today. As still and as peaceful as stone.

Tools in their jar. Tools washed clean and ready to go again. Green tea. And a lump of clay that didn't work out. It's drying in this form, and I'll rewedge it to start again as another form for another day.

On cold days like these, the hot water is such a treat. Also, loving these new bright blue bats.

And speaking of all the little things that bring me peace and stillness, I packed today in with lots of it, every little bit I could get.

Candle, green tea, Chimichanga snuggles. Not pictured: journal writing. Also not pictured: currently reading The Three Body Problem.

The Goose is the best. I have no words. This little angel is my sun.

This island girl is never going to feel at home in the cold. But snow is pretty, though.

I like how it makes everything quiet.

The 5 main food groups, as far as I'm concerned: genmaicha green tea, croissants, cheese, and eggs. Not pictured: dumplings. Also not pictured: NPR and podcasts on the importance of slowing down.

My OG Brooklyn neighbors never cease to impress me. This man in my neighborhood walks around with a cane and the most fashionable hat I've ever seen. I'm convinced he's a poet. Today, he's pouring more salt on the sidewalk. First day of spring in New York City.

Took my time to get to the clay studio, as you can see. Once I got there, it was amazing. On brand.

It's not always pretty. I got in a great groove here and ended up pushing it too hard.

But I ended up with two pieces like these. Aiming to be bodies of new Gaudí-inspired mugs. Subtle curve, but I'm scheming super funky-lookin' handles that curve to the shape of your hand.

And the bowls are coming along nicely. Still too wet to trim, but I'm loving how consistent I'm becoming. These all started as 1.5 lbs.

Just eyeballed the circumference for each, so depending on how these turn out, maybe I'll actually measure them next time.