Meraki: Labor of Love

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What goes on in your head when you hear the word "task"? Probably one of these things: chore, goal, mission, labor, effort. And the list goes on and on. We connect so many ideas to such a word, especially in our current world where time can be equated to productivity. But is that all there is to it?

Credits: tamsoam

The way we see it, tasks can be anything that stems from routine, responsibility, and passion. Routine chores that are necessary can include tidying one's room, doing the dishes, folding the laundry, and so on. These are the tasks we do on a daily basis that almost feel monotonous but are necessary to keep the flow of daily life continuous and free from interruption.

The second kind of task is born out of responsibility. It can also be said that this type gives us purpose and a goal to accomplish. We give priority to these tasks because we know that they are vital to achieving our long-term goals. While we know that the first kind is also important, we tend to pour more of our time into this one because we are bound by responsibility to fulfil them.

The third kind requires passion and doesn't feel like a task at all. The more you do it, the happier and more content you become. It is the type of task that you even insist on doing. You put a piece of yourself into your task and in a way, the product is a reflection of your combined efforts and passion.

Credits: renaudruhlmann, duolanga, kleinerkaries, eyecon, why-yu, grazie, vicuna & ornella

The Greeks have a word for that: meraki. And while it has no direct equivalent in the English language, it is easy to be inspired by its meaning. Meraki is putting your essence into the things you do. By adding love, creativity, and passion into the mix, your supposedly simple or trivial task becomes a labor of love.

This can come in all forms of hobbies, trades, crafts, or jobs. It's a beautiful word that adds color to an otherwise gray world that is more often than not burdened with productivity and long work hours. It's even applicable to our beloved photography, may it be with taking pictures, spending time in the darkroom, or experimenting with different gear, techniques, and film types.

Credits: oceanroller, lou__, adamo-75 & tsingtao

Putting a piece of yourself into what you're doing is a great exercise in creativity. It nurtures your soul and in turn makes you better in the long run. It doesn't matter if you're not the best in your craft right now or even a year later. Don't lose sight of what's important to you just because you're not getting the results you've imagined.

Continue with your passion project no matter how long it takes as long as it gives you joy and lets you grow. Let the concept of meraki guide you to where you need to be – fulfilled with the amount of soul you put into your craft and proud of doing work that gives your life meaning.


How about you? What hobbies, crafts, or trades do you feel most passionate about? Share them in the comment section below!

written by cheeo on 2023-03-17 in #culture #culture #analogue #words #film-photography #meraki

2 個留言

  1. deni083
    deni083 ·

    I do meraki while making film photos, that requires your piece of mind, attention and soul

  2. sylvann
    sylvann ·

    Reminds me of the Japanese philosophy of Ikigai! 💕

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