Why I spin?

I have been spinning for nearly four years now. As many people at the time, being stuck at home over the Covid epidemic made me think of something to do with my time. I'm not a person who is able to stick to one hobby at a time, I'm not a one trick pony. I tend to spread myself over few activities, trying to fit them, on or few at a time, into my busy working life.

An activity needs to be the right kind of thing to stick with me, as, while quite curious and imaginative, am also very impatient. I can't remember the countless times I tried to learn the piano (I'm not giving up yet), drawing (less optimistic about this one) or running (really, what's the point?). But few hobbies stuck at an early age and I keep being drawn to them for good few reasons.

One is photography. I started in my mid teens and it was wildlife that captured my interest. Being able to observe it in solitude and quiet, seeing it at its ease, admiring its beauty. It is one of the most difficult and challenging things to do, but because of it, oh so satisfying. It allows to me to try to create, to try to craft an image I want to be happy with, in less than ideal circumstances, often lying low covered in mud or grass or hiding behind trees, wishing I could be invisible. The subject, the colours, the light, it all needs to come together, as if from nothing at all, to transform into somethin special. Yes, this brings me so much joy.

The other interest I have is in knitting. Since learning at a young age, I found it so freeing Playing with colours, textures and shapes, I was able to make items that did not exist before, from a simple piece of string. And don't get me wrong, a lot of the early ones (and a fair bit of the later ones) were awful, but they were mine to make and it was the making, the process that captured me.

Finally, the gardening. And as before, it's the colours, the textures, the process and its changing nature that draws me in. The infinite possibilities in creating spaces from a match of soil and few seeds, of seeing it grow and change with every season and seeing how it changes me and my feelings about it.

All of these hobbies above are highly creative, allow me to use my hands and imagination, pose a challenge and calm my busy mind.

When I discovered spinning, it fit right it with the others. It made me pause, stop the overthinking train in my head. It allowed me play with colours, use my hands, create actual physical things, from something that once was a part of a lovely animal. Being of natural origin, I know that even if I discard it, it will break down into a natural elements without harming the earth. It also makes me connected to the past, as I know my ancestors spun, knitted or weaved the wool, making sure the people around them were clothed warm when they needed it.

Spinning is such a grounding experience, just like photographing wildlife, knitting or gardening. It requires you to stop and play it your full attention. It rewards you with surprises and delights if only you give yourself to it. And I gladly do.