Before this past spring, my only ceramic masterpiece was a wobbly little cup from high school- “masterpiece” being a very generous way to describe it. But I had very toxic habits and expectations due to the my perfectionist mindset- and I quit the art as soon as I didn't feel that I was automatically the best at it.
My interest in ceramics never really went away, however, so I signed up for a DAAP wheel-throwing workshop- with the intention of it serving as an honors experience. I expected it to be fun, and was excited for how I could turn this into an experience about work-life balance. 
And yes that all still carried through the experience, but the focus shifted completely toward the practice of ceramics itself- which I think was the underlying point for this entire thing. That this could be something entirely separate from my responsibilities- not something I am doing solely as a means to support these responsibilities, but instead, to completely escape. 
Amid a hectic semester, ceramics gave me a quiet space to focus, mess up, and actually enjoy the process. I wasn’t great at first, but I kept showing up, practicing, and learning. And slowly, I got better.
This experience reminded me that growth doesn’t have to be perfect, and creativity doesn’t need a deadline. I’m proud of the wobbly pots, the patience I’m building, and the joy I’ve found in trying something new. I’m excited to keep learning, whether through clay, plants, or something totally unexpected.
The point is: I’m giving myself permission to explore.