The quiet thump of clay being wedged onto a canvas cover table and the touch of slippery clay on his hands was an important part of Mark Bishop’s life now.

He hadn’t touched clay since high school but the simple act of shaping clay was reassuring now in his late forties. 

Mark spoke with the studio owner Sarah Jenkins about the universal fear of starting something new as an adult. “Adults often struggle with the learning curve because we’re used to being proficient in our jobs and our daily life,” Jenkins said. “But the struggle is precisely where the real learning happens.” 

Mark listened to Jenkins advice and made sure not to focus on his clay being perfect. Instead he focused on completing it and not smoothing over mistakes repeatedly.

He polished his masterpiece making sure to follow Jenkins advice on patience for molding and shaping clay.

Mark pulled a finished glazed mug from the kiln. It was slightly lopsided and the rim was not smooth. Yet, it held coffee perfectly despite its imperfections. He was very proud of what he created from his own two hands.

It is a reminder that the pursuit of a hobby can shape our well-being just as much as others shape clay itself.

In High School, he found himself drawn to clay. He enjoyed how he could shape it and the process of it. 

After graduating, life took over and so he stopped his hobby to focus more on his future. Mark worked on getting a stable job, getting married, and supporting his growing family but he started getting stressed in his late forties. 

He found himself feeling aimless and not knowing what to do in his own personal time. So he started to ask his friends for things he could try out.

His friend suggested he needed an outlet from everyone, a place away from home and work where he could just be by himself. 

He started to think of touching clay again. But he didn’t know how to find a suitable studio where he could feel relaxed and learn about clay without being stressed.

Through sheer luck, he stumbled upon a community studio online that offered beginner classes. The studio had a peaceful and friendly atmosphere. This is when he met Jenkins and his new favorite hobby. 

The very first time he shaped clay in the studio was when all his stress melted away and he started enjoying himself. It was a form of meditation to him where he focused on the clay only.

The studio became a safe place for him to relax and let go of his worries. It was a place where the pressures of the outside world melted away and disappeared.

He realized that he didn’t need to be an expert and create masterpieces when there was no need for perfection.

He was no longer anxious about it not being good enough or perfect.

“It forces you to slow down. You can’t rush this; the clay does its own thing and you just need to follow it,” Bishop said.

His hobby made him learn how to listen and be kind to himself. It taught him a lesson about patience and how beautiful imperfections can be when looked at from a different point of view.