Next time I would try to expect even less of myself and remember it takes time and humility to relax enough to truly begin learning. I was haunted by the clay. It would be willing to do what I asked of it, but first I would have to learn how to ask. Joan Wickersham’s latest book is, “No Ship Sets Out To Be A Shipwreck." Her column appears regularly in the Globe.

 OPINION

Being a beginner is a lot harder than it sounds

I was humbled by a demure-looking piece of clay. 

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/05/30/opinion/beginning-pottery-lesson-essay/