Traditional Japanese crane
I love origami. It’s fun and enjoyable to make and can expand the world for many people in different ways.
When I was much younger, I was actually quite shy (though most people today wouldn’t believe it!) and it was difficult for me to make friends or even stand out in class among the other children. One thing that helped me get out of my shell was origami. I would sit quietly folding different origami models that I learned from my father. Once a model was done, I would place it on my desk and start another one.
Glass centrepiece - vase filled with origami planes
The one folded paper object was enough to grab the curiosity of some children and from there, new friendships were made. The other children would ask me what I was doing and even request certain objects, and I would show how to make certain things like 3D tulips or cranes. This unexpected attention actually helped me interact with others and gain the confidence I needed, because I was introducing a new concept that I knew and loved.
Tulip made with translucent origami plastic sheets
People of all ages can do the same thing, whether it’s to gain confidence, to create a new environment for themselves, or change someone’s mood. For example, sometimes when I’m out and I see children who are cranky or sad, and quite possibly giving their parents a hard time, I try to find a scrap piece of paper and quickly fold an origami crane (traditional Japanese bird).
After asking the parent if it’s alright to give to the children, I would introduce this new “toy”, and it surprisingly quiets them down quickly since most of these children have never seen origami before.
I always get surprised looks from the parents, mainly because it’s not common for random people to approach you with folded paper toys, but once they see the results, the surprise turns to a smile.
One piece of scrap paper not only became a quiet moment for the parent, but also a new curious toy for the child.
Japanese Shuriken (throwing star) strung as decoration
The benefits of origami are truly endless for future advancements and stress relievers in everyday life.
The simple techniques and creations exercise the brain just like solving puzzles and helps personalities grow by building confidence. Also, as I’ve mentioned in an article based on origami benefits, it’s also the perfect tool to train fine motor skills for people both young and old.
