What mindful making can teach us

Mindfulness has a lot to teach us. The practice of being fully present, of being intensely aware of what you are sensing at the current moment has shown that it can help reduce stress, improve our focus, and be less emotionally reactive. But what does it mean to apply mindfulness in our crafting or creative life? 

There is evidence that mindfulness meditation can boost creativity as it helps “create the mental space for innovative ideas.” Artists and makers might even consider their work their meditative time—when they get to focus and be in a state of complete flow. Another way we find to be mindful in our craft is being aware of the work that we do in relation to the world around us. 

Crafting like there is a tomorrow

When it comes to creating sustainably, Common Room and Popjunklove co-founder Maan Agsalud shares that it’s all about taking on a “crafting like there’s tomorrow” mindset. 

The fact that the human race generates so much waste (2.6 trillion pounds of trash every year globally, and, in terms of ocean plastic pollution, the Philippines sadly takes the top spot), it only makes sense for each of us to do our part. Whether it’s boycotting the companies that contribute the most to plastic pollution or choosing to shop small, as makers and artists, we can also transform discarded materials into beautiful and functional art. 

“One of the mess affirmations in creating sustainably with the future in mind—don’t just throw discarded stuff—reclaim it!” Maan adds, “Give waste a second chance. Every reused piece helps craft a more sustainable future”

Getting started

So how do you give waste a second chance? First, it starts with mindful consumption. We are all consumers, but how exactly do we consume? At the first Mess Fest talk, Jodee Aguillon of Glorious Dias emphasizes the importance of mindful consumption. He admits that he prefers “to keep things small and meaningful” when it comes to his vintage clothing brand. “That it’s not just transactional.” 

Taking on that same mindset as consumers means making more mindful purchases, which can translate to less stuff that you’ll eventually discard. And when it comes to throwing stuff away, take notice of the waste you often generate. Are they plastic food containers from all those Grab deliveries? Plastic bottles or juice packs? Piles of paper from all your printouts? What do you do with them? 

For many makers or any arts-and-crafts loving folks, giving waste a second chance means upcycling. You can look into what you want or need around the house, consider how other makers and artists upcycle (plastic bottles as decorations, plastic containers as mold for concrete trays, old clothes reworked as something new), or simply let your creativity guide you.  

Doing it with others

For more ideas on upcycling or simply being able to craft among like-minded people, Common Room provides a space to make something out of messes. At Mess Studio, you can choose to make any one (or all) of the nine upcycling craft projects available—from a dream catcher to a boho glass bottle—using scrap fabrics or paper, plastic containers, cardboard, and empty wine bottles.

Making something out of what would otherwise be thrown away, is always the better option than adding it to the pounds and pounds of waste that end up in landfills and oceans. We can do something with our mess if we only take the time to be mindful of them.