Handmade
Last week I wrote about the importance of handwriting, and the need to keep doing things that are uniquely human. Today, I want to focus on the importance of making by hand. In the last three weeks, we have had our lives unsettled by the changes happening at the Federal levels of our government. There have been calls to boycott the corporations or individuals that will benefit from the attacks on the Labor Department, USAID, Department of Education, and others, as well as, the elimination of programs that support diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Make a gift - knit a chicken!
Resistance may be to buy handmade. There are many people in our communities who have spent years learning and perfecting their skills in the arts of ceramics, painting, sewing, knitting, weaving, woodworking, and more. They have their products for sale at local gift shops, farmer’s markets, craft fairs, or their own websites. These products are unique and showcase the personalities of the folks who made them. These products are meant to last. Sure it may be a bit more expensive to buy handmade products, but the money will go to a local maker, someone you can look in the eye and speak with. This person maybe your neighbor. How satisfying is this purchase instead of the one you get from a corporation that doesn’t pay its workers a living wage or produces its products in a foreign country where workers and the environment are exploited. Locally spent dollars stay local supporting the growth of your community versus the growth of a billionaire’s bank account.
Handmade blank greeting cards
Another form of resistance maybe to learn to do it ourselves. In the past our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents learned to make do, use up, repair, and reuse when things got tough. It’s time for us to utilize those same skills.
Need help with skill building you are in luck, here are some suggestions of where to turn to. Your local library will have plenty of books that can teach you plus many of them have groups of people who gather together who would love to teach a skill. Check out the local school system - they may offer night school classes that you may take for low cost. Call up a parent, grandparent, aunt/uncle, or cousin that you know who has skills to teach you. Follow the delicious smells of cooking that emanate from down the hall and ask that neighbor what they are making and would they be willing to teach you. Seek out the little old lady or gentleman who lives on your block with the fabulous garden to teach you how to grow your own food and flowers. You are going to learn how to get out of your comfort zone and talk to people and ask for what you need.
This is what community building is all about. This is how you can help heal your soul. This is how you build skills to pass along to other people. This is how people can find a purpose and stop turning to addictive behaviors. Using our own hands to make, bake, grow, build, etc. keeps us human.
Drying and saving the herbs grown in my garden
Making it ourselves can help us unplug from the endless consumerism that can enslave us. Get away from the marketing messages that tell you to keep buying the latest thing in order to fit in. Wear your clothes a little bit longer. The fashion industry is the world’s second largest polluter behind the oil industry. A great deal of fast fashion clothes ends up in the landfill. Take a look around and see how you can reuse things that are in good shape. Donate, regift, repurpose, or refuse to buy it in the first place. Realize that buying can be an addictive behavior in itself. Remember you are enough. You don’t need a pile of things to know that you are enough.
Homemade oatmeal whole wheat bread.
Take a moment to see how consumerism may have co-opted your life, your holidays, your world view and make peace with that. We need to buy the basic needs of everyday life, but remember we have control of who we buy those from. Whenever possible consider buying from your local farmer or maker, or buy the raw materials so you can make it yourself.
In the week ahead, use your dollars wisely. Take care of yourself and your family during these unsettling times. Remember to stay human!
Best wishes,
Maryanne
