How can we think strategically and compassionately in an increasingly polarized world?
Our sensory experience during gentle craftivism can help us move from reactive emotions to positive, thoughtful action.
“We must combine the toughness of the serpent with the softness of the dove. A tough mind and tender heart.”
Algorthims learn what we interact with in order to make decisions about what to show us to keep us online. The Media and content creators tend to prioritise content that will attract attention and keep people scrolling. To do this, they often appeal to our sense of fear, outrage or worry. This can lead to over-simplistic or divisive coverage of complex injustices, and can cause us to feel frightened, overwhelmed or confused. It also means that we are less likely to come across ideas or thoughts that are different to our own, which can lead to us feeling impatient or defensive should we encounter somebody who thinks differently to us.
In these states we become more susceptible to overgeneralizing, thoughtlessness and us-vs-them thinking rather than deep engagement on how we can be strategic changemakers to complex injustices.
I’m fascinated by our human capacity for empathetic engagement, critical thinking and solution seeking. When we think critically, we are more able to analyse, assess, and reframe a problem. It’s from this place our most effective gentle protests can be created.
Engaging with some of society’s most complex, deep-rooted injustices requires presence and a calm mind for the critical thinking we need for real positive change to happen.
By turning it over in our minds and taking the time to understand and empathise with those directly affected by the issue (as well as the people who we might be protesting at), we can consider the actions that will help create, or make progress towards, making our world a more healthy, fair and kind place for all.
By asking ourselves and each other carefully considered questions during our gentle craftivism sessions alone or with others, we can move into the mindful and critical thinking that is needed to be a kind, strategic and effective changemaker.
These reflections - or ‘crafterthoughts’ - are a key part of considering how we challenge injustice and harm through the values of love, kindness and humility and where we can be of best use to serve the cause.
What are crafterthoughts?
Crafterthoughts are the personal reflections, compassionate thoughts and strategic considerations that we intentionally reflect on as we work on our gentle craftivism projects.
By gently asking’ crafterthought questions’ whilst we are crafting our handmade objects, we acknowledge the complexities of injustice, provide opportunity to empathise with those involved, and think critically about where we can make the most difference using our talents, influence and opportunities.
How do I create crafterthought questions?
The questions we ask ourselves as we engage in our gentle craftivism project are vital little things to best understand the issue at hand and reflect on how we can be the most effective citizens.
They are integral to craftivism, where we use the making process to engage deeply and think critically about how you can be a compassionate, effective campaigner. Each of the 20 projects in The Craftivist Collective Handbook come with three crafterthought questions to consider while you stitch, or you can create your own, too.
Here are some questions to help create your crafterthoughts:
How can you strive to be part of the solutions to the issue you are addressing? Think about the power you have as a consumer, colleague, constituent, friend, or family member.
What are the causes of the injustice you’re seeking to address?
What are groups, organisations or people already doing to tackle the injustice? Can you help strengthen their campaign rather than creating something alone or competing with theirs?
Who has power to help create the change you wish to see? How can you attract their support and involvement?
Are you treating the people most affected by this injustice, the powerholders and everyone in between with dignity and how you would like to be treated if you were in their shoes?
Is there something that you can craft that will attract intrigue and thoughtful/deep engagement rather than fuel polarisation?
How can you be a critical friend with the people you are protesting at rather than an aggressive enemy they close off from through your craftivism tool?
How do I capture my crafterthoughts?
Many studies show that you will process and remember the issue better when you write your thoughts down. This is because learning and memory doesn’t just happen in our brains. Dr Danbee Kim from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) explains in The Craftivist Collective Handbook:
“Some neurons start in our spines and extend a long branch - called an axon - all the way to the tips of our fingers and toes. Within these incredibly long cells, electrical signals travel almost instantaneously. That’s why we can write thoughts as quickly as we think them, and why we’re better at remembering things we’ve written down - our finger movement helps organise the momentary experience of having that thought into a mental landmark that helps us return to that moment and relive it.”
To capture your crafterthoughts, you could doodle images, words, answers, feelings or even more questions to help you process the topic and how your object could be of best use to serve the cause.
Plus, people are 1.2 to 1.4 times more likely to successfully accomplish their goals if they can picture or describe them. Capture all of this in your notebook for you to reflect on at a later date.
How do I create the best environment for my crafterthoughts?
The more thoughtfully prepared your craftivism area is, the more likely it is to create a fruitful place for you and others to delve into the issues concerned and consider how we can be effective and empathetic active citizens to be part of the change we wish to see in our world.
After you’ve stamped, jumped, screamed or danced out any intense feelings of anger and sadness (we should be angry and sad about injustice) we’re better able to engage deeply, strategically and compassionately on the issue. We can consider where we can be of best use to help bring about positive change.
Get all your supplies within arm’s reach in a well-lit space, with a cuppa or some snacks like nuts to give you slow-releasing energy.
Ambient sounds in the background help you focus. Our crafterthoughts playlist made with principle neuroscientist Dr Catherine Loveday at the University of Westminster helps to create an empowering environment to stitch and think without distracting you from the task at hand.
“I recommend repetitive music to get into a contemplative zone” says Catherine, who has researched the effects of music and memory. “Slow music is calming. Lyrics can be distracting. Film soundtracks can be really good because they are designed to create emotion without distracting too much.”
Subtly scenting your space can help to calm the mind and move from reactive emotions to compassionate and strategic thought. Gently invite all of your senses to your craftivism session by spritzing a gorgeous fragrance in the air.
Our Crafterthought Room Fragrance in collaboration with Ånd Fragrance has been created to help you ground in the space, soothe your senses, and inspire mindful reflection.
Soothing lavender blends with sweet floral jasmine and ylang ylang to help our minds engage deeply with the injustice we’re addressing, while citrus-fresh green mandarin and lemon myrtle keep our hearts open and engaged. Reassuring sandalwood and tonka ground us in the space, creating a safe and calm environment for our compassionate crafterthoughts to occur.
Ground yourself, soothe your senses, and let our Crafterthoughts Room Fragrance inspire mindful reflection about crafting a kinder, fairer world.
Now you are ready to begin considering your crafterthoughts questions. Place your crafterthought questions in front of you. Focus on them once your hands know what they are crafting and your mind enters the flow state.
We’re not going to change the world by thinking or empathy alone, but we can’t effectively deliver our gentle protests without them.
Using this time to connect to the issue more deeply and decide how best to stand up against injustice is time well spent on the road to crafting a more beautiful, kind and fair world for all.
We’re not going to change the world by thinking or empathy alone, but we can’t effectively deliver our gentle protests without them.
Using this time to connect to the issue more deeply and decide how best to stand up against injustice is time well spent on the road to crafting a more beautiful, kind and fair world for all.
About the Ånd x The Craftivist Collective Collaboration
It was a chance meeting with Ånd’s founder that led to the creation of the Crafterthought Room Fragrance.
Simon Constantine began creating perfumes in 2007 as the head of ethical buying and perfumer for Lush Cosmetics. The concept for Ånd came from a feeling that the world was suffering in fear and confusion and that it was time for some positive solutions to the problems we all face.
“Obviously perfume is a strange place to start but it’s my craft and a useful way I could see to make a contribution” said Simon.
Because scent has always played an important role in our in-person workshops and events to encourage deep and critical thinking whilst we do our gentle craftivism, crafting a bespoke room scent to create a soothing yet engaging environment for our thoughtful and compassionate gentle protests felt like a heavenly pairing.
Ånd fragrances are formulated from the highest quality, carefully, ethically and sustainably sourced, exquisite ingredients that are lovingly handmade in Britain, cruelty-free, and vegan.
Each 10ml bottle comes with two free sample perfumes from Ånd Fragrance.
Ånd are kindly handling the shipping. Order from their shop here or find out more by clicking the button below.