Some Things Just Want to Exist

8 Aug

Not everything needs a purpose. Some things just want to exist. An idea, a strange shape, a scrap of fabric joined to something unexpected. A story, a color, a smell, a feeling. Anything can be a beginning. Sometimes you feel like making something, even though you don’t know what it is or what you’ll do with it. That’s enough to begin.

You can follow that feeling without having to explain it. Let something come through your mind, your eyes, and your hands so you can see it exist.

The pieces in the photo are my examples. I’m sharing them to invite you to experiment too. Follow something that catches your attention—a material, an object, a story, an emotion, or a slightly ridiculous idea that won’t leave you alone. It doesn’t have to make sense. It can just be fun to find out what happens.

Where to begin

If making something without a plan feels unfamiliar, start small:

01. Choose one thing that attracts you—a scrap of fabric, a word, a color, a curious object, or a feeling. You don’t need to explain your choice. ‘I just like it’ will do.

02. Make one small move. Crumple, fold, stitch, wrap, draw, or put two things together.

03. Look at what happens. What catches your attention? What do you feel like trying next? You only need the next small step, nothing beyond that.

04. If you get stuck, change something. Turn it upside down, take something away, make a hole, or try a different material. See whether that gives you somewhere to go.

05. Let yourself stop. Leave it, return later, or decide it’s finished. It doesn’t have to keep growing just because there’s more stuff on the table.

Use materials you already have and feel comfortable playing with. Scraps and leftovers can make it easier to begin because there’s less pressure to get things ‘right.’ You don’t have to know what you’re making yet.

Follow the bits you enjoy

Maybe you like a lumpy shape and want to make it even lumpier. Maybe two colors look wonderfully strange together. Maybe your experiment starts looking like a creature, and you want to give it legs. Or far too many legs.

Follow that curiosity for a while.

You don’t have to keep every addition. You can undo something, cut it apart, or leave a loose end because you like it that way. You can discover what you’re making as you make it. It might surprise you. It might also refuse to stand up.

What’s it for?

You might find a use for it later. You might never find one.

Experimenting has its own value: enjoying the materials, trying something unfamiliar, discovering an unexpected combination, or laughing at what you’ve made. You don’t have to come away with a lesson or a masterpiece. Something came through your mind, your eyes, and your hands. Now it’s here—a curious little addition to the universe.

What do you feel like making, to see it exist?

If you make it, I’d love to see. Tag me on Instagram @maiiou.creates so I can admire what you create.

Keep exploring! 🖤