Do something

Julia ♦ March 8, 2025 ♦ 2 Comments

“The Strawberry Thief” print by William Morris.
The Victoria and Albert Museum, via Wikimedia Commons

“A good way to rid oneself of a sense of discomfort is to do something. That uneasy, dissatisfied feeling is actual force vibrating out of order; it may be turned to practical account by giving proper expression to its creative character.” —William Morris

William Morris certainly earned the right to give us this advice. He turned his creative gifts toward practical uses as an architect, furniture and textile designer, artist, and writer. His textile, wallpaper and home furnishing prints remain popular to this day. In fact, I have some lovely placemats and a mug that feature the design pictured above, which is one of his most famous.

Those who have been reading this blog for a few years might recall that I’ve featured three other quotes from Morris in various posts. I admire how he championed the art of making beautiful, practical things, filling homes with items that are both useful and attractive.

His Kelmscott Press brought beauty back to the printed book, inspired by the illuminated manuscripts of centuries past. During graduate school I did a presentation on the Kelmscott Press and and the role Morris had played in publishing over a century ago. My professor arranged for the Rare Books collection of the Hamilton Library (at the University of Hawaii) to loan a few original Kelmscott volumes for use in my lecture. I was familiar with how closely guarded these items were, and how many restrictions were attached to their viewing– nothing could brought into the examination room, gloves had to be worn, and so forth. So I was surprised they agreed to have my professor borrow them temporarily on my behalf.

Wouldn’t you know, I was so nervous about handling them in front of the class that I dropped one of the books! I was immensely relieved to find, on close inspection, that no damage was done whatsoever. This century-old book was still durable and sturdy. So Morris was certainly practical about the binding of this piece of artistry, designing it to endure long years of use.

Aren’t we fortunate that Morris understood the value of useful action as a channel for creative energy? I lack his genius, but I too have learned the wisdom of having many functional ways to occupy myself, each of them creative in its own way. During the many times of crisis and grief I’ve survived the past twelve years, I have never yet seen a time when doing something did not immediately improve my inner climate. It might be taking a walk, washing the dishes, writing a friend, organizing my books, working on crafts, or exercising to some favorite lively music. If weather allows, working outside in the flower beds is perhaps the best therapy of all. And of course, it’s always a good idea to put the kettle on for a fresh cup of tea!

What kinds of activity do you keep on hand in your “defeat despair” arsenal? Have you explored any new ways to give expression to your own creative character?