I love the idea of pericraft. It's an idea we don't talk about enough as creatives, as it tends to get lost amidst the narrative of "cranking out a novel in the hour before breakfast and rushing off to work." For many years, I would block every hour of the waking day on my calendar, scheduling "writing" first thing in the morning. I thought it meant I was prioritizing my craft.
But... between writing, work, exercise, and general life, I was "booked" from 7am-8pm. At first it worked... I was able to draft a novel... but once that was done, I was completely burnt out. I blame not leaving any time for pericraft. Sure I was writing everyday, but once my creative stores were spent, there was no room in my schedule for replenishment.
Lately I've been putting "do nothing" on my calendar to ensure that I have room for my brain to rest and be open to creative inputs. I think I'll start labeling these blocks pericraft from now on. Thank you!
I really enjoyed your thoughts on pericraft and on head covering. There's something weirdly comforting about having your head covered, and it reminds me of how I always used to hear my hood up to give presentations in school (probably a little unprofessional looking, not that it mattered then). It also makes me think of all the little actions by which you signal to yourself that you are entering another zone or phase of the day, one where you'll do a particular thing, like bowing at the beginning of jiu-jitsu class.
What a great read! And a very good point made, too. It's funny, I was just thinking the other day about all of the supporting work that goes into the actual work. No one ever sees it, but so essential to the task─whatever that may be. Thank you for sharing!
I would describe this as the discipline of preparation. There is an internal peace of gathering- be it ingredients, seeds, paints, music, tools. The headcovering seems to represent a submission to the process, all the pieces, all the steps, and that is virtue itself.
I love this so much. I'm wondering how much we've been influenced by 'hustle culture' as we devalue or simply sidestep the pericraft (excellent word!) in favour of 'producing more and faster'. I have a huge bias here because I think that influence is huge...and ultimately very damaging. We've been harried along in our day-to-days and it leaks over into our creative time -- people who can churn out books or paintings or gardens are lauded and it's the standard to which we are now upheld. I think we're losing so much when we lose that contemplative, meditative approach to our creative acts. Thank you for reminding me of the value of taking my time.
Sally, as always, you weave the mundane with the just-below-the-surface metaphors in a remarkable way. I so enjoyed this and think 'pericraft' should be added to whatever writing lexicon is made next.
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In other news, I've just started my venture into breadmaking. Bought a bread machine but also bought some dried sourdough starter and will activate it soon to try breadmaking for reals. Anyway, about the naming of one's starter....is that really a thing?
I haven’t heard the term before, but it perfectly describes how ideas and inspiration come. Thank you always for your wisdom. And I’m glad that Gertrud is doing well 💛
Love this so much! It all resonates deeply - the bread making, the head covering, the light you shine on pericraft. For me it extends to the idea that it’s about our whole life, not just the few hours we actually “create”. Thank you 🙏
What a beautiful comparison! I’m a fellow impatient baker so it resonated very clearly. Also, please feel free to drop your sourdough English muffin recipe—I’d love to try them!
I love the idea of pericraft. It's an idea we don't talk about enough as creatives, as it tends to get lost amidst the narrative of "cranking out a novel in the hour before breakfast and rushing off to work." For many years, I would block every hour of the waking day on my calendar, scheduling "writing" first thing in the morning. I thought it meant I was prioritizing my craft.
But... between writing, work, exercise, and general life, I was "booked" from 7am-8pm. At first it worked... I was able to draft a novel... but once that was done, I was completely burnt out. I blame not leaving any time for pericraft. Sure I was writing everyday, but once my creative stores were spent, there was no room in my schedule for replenishment.
Lately I've been putting "do nothing" on my calendar to ensure that I have room for my brain to rest and be open to creative inputs. I think I'll start labeling these blocks pericraft from now on. Thank you!
I really enjoyed your thoughts on pericraft and on head covering. There's something weirdly comforting about having your head covered, and it reminds me of how I always used to hear my hood up to give presentations in school (probably a little unprofessional looking, not that it mattered then). It also makes me think of all the little actions by which you signal to yourself that you are entering another zone or phase of the day, one where you'll do a particular thing, like bowing at the beginning of jiu-jitsu class.
What a great read! And a very good point made, too. It's funny, I was just thinking the other day about all of the supporting work that goes into the actual work. No one ever sees it, but so essential to the task─whatever that may be. Thank you for sharing!
I would describe this as the discipline of preparation. There is an internal peace of gathering- be it ingredients, seeds, paints, music, tools. The headcovering seems to represent a submission to the process, all the pieces, all the steps, and that is virtue itself.
I love this so much. I'm wondering how much we've been influenced by 'hustle culture' as we devalue or simply sidestep the pericraft (excellent word!) in favour of 'producing more and faster'. I have a huge bias here because I think that influence is huge...and ultimately very damaging. We've been harried along in our day-to-days and it leaks over into our creative time -- people who can churn out books or paintings or gardens are lauded and it's the standard to which we are now upheld. I think we're losing so much when we lose that contemplative, meditative approach to our creative acts. Thank you for reminding me of the value of taking my time.
Sally, as always, you weave the mundane with the just-below-the-surface metaphors in a remarkable way. I so enjoyed this and think 'pericraft' should be added to whatever writing lexicon is made next.
...
In other news, I've just started my venture into breadmaking. Bought a bread machine but also bought some dried sourdough starter and will activate it soon to try breadmaking for reals. Anyway, about the naming of one's starter....is that really a thing?
I haven’t heard the term before, but it perfectly describes how ideas and inspiration come. Thank you always for your wisdom. And I’m glad that Gertrud is doing well 💛
I'm interested in the covering your head thing. I think I understand that.
Love this so much! It all resonates deeply - the bread making, the head covering, the light you shine on pericraft. For me it extends to the idea that it’s about our whole life, not just the few hours we actually “create”. Thank you 🙏
What a beautiful comparison! I’m a fellow impatient baker so it resonated very clearly. Also, please feel free to drop your sourdough English muffin recipe—I’d love to try them!
Thank you, that was beautifully put and entirely relatable!
Thank you for this, which I needed right now.
I was not familiar with the term “pericraft” before, so it’s nice to have a word that goes with this important concept.
A beautifully expressed reminder of how we most often go wrong in our rush through what we see as the tedium of life... Thank you!