Myers said that in addition to the therapeutic nature of working with his hands, ceramics has taught him to be more patient and resilient in other parts of his life.
“I used to think that if one thing goes wrong in the pot, then it’s just trashed, and I don’t want to keep working on it,” he said. “But I have been able to change my mindset, so if something doesn’t go as planned, I’m able to adapt. I’ve been able to take that into my classes. If I get one bad grade on something, I don’t just shut down; I’m able to look back over it and see what I did wrong, talk to my professors, and then figure out how not to make the same mistake next time.”
Mindfulness
As a visual communication major, Josie Bradley is focused on digital art. She founded the Printmaking Club last spring as an outlet for tactile art-making.
“Staring at a screen all day can just be so draining, mentally and emotionally,” she said. “My generation, Gen Z, we grew up on screens, and I think crafts are making a big comeback because people realize they need stress relievers and time to be away from their devices.”
A junior, Bradley has minors in art history, architectural studies, advertising, integrated design and interactive media, and she said that working with her hands is an important way to reset and regenerate her energy.
Valentina Turano, senior cognitive science major with a minor in disability studies, is co-president of the Knitting and Crochet Club. As someone who said she feels unproductive when she spends all of her free time on her phone, she said it’s important to step away from digital media.
Even students who don’t completely disconnect from screens while they craft appreciate that incorporating creative hobbies into their days helps them find balance.
“Doomscrolling and excessive social media use can make it challenging for students to be present with themselves and their emotions, as these coping mechanisms operate by allowing the mind to distance itself from reality,” said Ashton Winslow, staff psychologist with the Center for Counseling and Student Development.
The center recently launched the “Knit Happens” group aimed at easing anxiety and perfectionism while strengthening community through knitting. This group was so popular that additional sections are already being explored. For more information, visit Student Wellbeing.
