Workshop flow in the age of distractions

Physically Engaged & Mental Rested

Woodworking is not a spiritual pursuit it is a practical hand craft. Yet much is written about people's reverence for the craft and how it makes them feel. There are also many esteemed authors and makers who call bullshit on these statements and say the craft is no no way special or spiritual, it is just the craft.

I believe the growth in the amateur maker community and in particular woodworking is partly a response the the increased number of attention-grabbing distractions in our lives.

We are surrounded by attention-grabbing dopamine-supplying phones, TVs, email, slack, video calls, what's app, Instagram and YouTube. Many of us including myself have attempted to reduce these distractions yet they keep drawing us in like a moth to a flame. I personally find it exhausting.

My workshop is one of the very few places left in the world where my mind can both be engaged and at peace. A place where I can work hard physically yet be mentally rested. I can reach a flow state for many hours at a time without the need of any external "entertainment." Sometimes I play music, but not often. This is also why I enjoy working with hand tools most of the time.

I also get a deep satisfaction from working with wood and learning new skills and techniques every time I am in my workshop. I believe our brains are happier when they are engaged in a task just beyond their current capability, like an enjoyable mental stretch.

This is what I feel people are referring to when they attribute a spiritual or mystic feeling to the craft.

Those of you who work with wood as your full-time profession may not get these benefits due to the pressure of productivity requirements, client expectations and the need to make a living.

Yet, for after-work amateurs like myself, it is a moving meditation, a mental respite from the rest of my world and it brings me deep satisfaction.

I would love to know if your experience is similar or different to mine.

Cheers

David