Craft over catharsis.

I like reading, 📚

I like writing, ✍🏾

I like sharing,

I like exploring, and I like art. All the above, connect you to something. If I create by writing, I will want to share. Writing is an art, and a preserver of history, culture, and values. While art allows me to explore. Craft is a generic term for all kinds of art. It is not selfless but desires to share. It looks for a problem to solve, and solutions to adapt. When I think of catharsis, it is a temporary state, fleeting, might be exciting, and less involving. It sounds lazy, laid-back, and a bit selfish.

The Bottleneck

Catharsis is self-help, and would not survive time, as other needs continue to compete for attention in the human psyche. There is always a need. Like babies grow out of all kinds of phases, the thing they love the most is exploring, and it comes with independence to discover new things. Without creativity or willingness to explore and share, there would not be much fun to life. Catharsis sounds like a bottleneck.

‘Consumerism, a roadblock to create.. a permanent state of cathartics’ I would say.

If I pour water out of a jar, it will be of use again. Catharsis is a one-way street; the next break, the next gig, the next fix, it is stagnant, and it gets ‘old’. There would be no recycle, reuse, and reduce. “A rolling stone catches no moss” , I heard. A consumer of information is useful for one thing: - The collective. I want to be different, I want to create, I want to believe in something.

“How long will you love simplicity?” Proverbs 1:22 KJV.

Out of work at what was supposed to be the peak of my career. I traded vocational skill for community initiatives, that were out-of-work opportunities for voluntary roles, community development, and social enterprise. I had learnt to churn my God-given skills where needed. I never known work that felt like it before, so rewarding it never felt like work or passing time, but a chance to finally put those skills to-use at leisure.

The Best-of-both ☕️

Craft is the ‘best-of-both’. Picture a day one felt the need for motivation, but it is raining. Listening to the sound of rain, or look up a recipe online to bake, or even learn the art of making coffee, will pass time. Alternatively, while baking, on impulse grab a sketchpad. Imagine, bringing the rain inside with you, albeit on paper. However, all that gives power to create a best-of-both scenarios, and Craft is an art-piece in the making. Experience above momentary respite, where catharsis even becomes a product of creative art on impulse (but) is not only just complementary, but fleeting. Creativity leaves you full, catharsis leaves you empty and craving.

A Hub for Creativity

I would go for craft over catharsis any day. Recently, someone even auctioned an idea, that sold a painting in the thousands of dollars, called the ‘Invisible Painting’ I heard. My preference is still craft over catharsis. I recall a time of unemployment of late. Where people would do things for me in the spirit of community activities by involvement in local projects. I would not at the time give back what I could buy in the usual way, but would treat them to a manicure, or polish nails, ‘Craft-as-a-Service’, (CraaS), I call it. As a form of gratitude, it nurtures a talent and perfects a skill for a worthy cause.

I had not run out of options, but busting with the need to release, the craft, an idea born, to fill others in the least expected places. So full, the feel of pouring out that passion, contrary in catharsis, becomes a channel of expression but in ‘craft’ never runs out or leaves one empty. It looked to pour out in others, a passion for presentation of painting nails and making natural DIY remedies of the same, for feel good moments in the Home. I received another gift, and while returning the favor, I lack nothing. Polish a friend’s nail, and that is how I let it all loose in design, nail art, and feel-good moments. Preferably, craft over catharsis any day.

Not having materials, or steady income then did not stop me from doing what I love, in the spirit of voluntary work, collected and recycled items, another craft in the making, that even gained me a sewing machine, as a gift in the spirit of faith and friendship over similar values, skill and outlook on life, while creating lasting connections. In the least expected places. “ I would still take this craft, and experience to the bank, any day.” I call it My ‘Craas’ over Catharsis. The latter sounds lonely. This Craas is not simple, less intelligent, or insensitive in experience as ‘Crass’ behaviour, although it does seem to sound like it. On the contrary next to Catharsis, it is the hub for creative ideas and craft. That is why I prefer craft over catharsis.