The calming effect of shaving.

I've now been shaving daily for over a year. I knew the whole process had settled deep into muscle memory, but I recently got an impressive reminder.

I got some terrible news yesterday. For hours my hands trembled. Shaving was the last thing on my mind, but I was going to have to pack stuff up and I decided to go ahead and strop a razor.

The moment I had the blade in hand the tremors stopped. My mind quieted down. I could think.

Figuring this was a good sign, I lathered up and gave myself a methodical shave. It was far from my best job, but I didn't nick myself up and it made me feel worlds better.

Your mileage may vary, but I'm now a believer in the therapeutic effects of straight-shaving.

Very sorry you had to receive terrible news to make the discovery.

I think this is part of the reason why I love straight shaving in general, and shaving at night in particular. It can be a very calming, meditative process.

Hoping that good news comes your way soon.

For me straight shaving is a nice and relaxing thing to do and compels yourself to be patient. And as we all know, patience is a virtue.

Stropping always calms me down and centers me. I've been afraid to shave when I was too agitated before, but the Stropping always works.

+1 on the therapeutic effect.
+1 on condolences for whatever news was that bad. 'wish all the best for you.

Sorry to hear about the bad news. I hope things resolve in a positive way.

Agree completely on the Zen of straight razor shaving. I have never enjoyed shaving more than during my last two post retirement years. I have all the time I need and more to shave and can clear my mind with the exception of enjoying all
aspects of my wet shave.
Same relaxation of mind and spirit happens when I am comfortable honing my razors sitting in my garage enjoying a cigar.

Sorry about the bad news - Shaving is my Zen time - full concentration on the shave and me. No extranious stimuli just me and the razor.

Condolences on whatever has caused you pain.
Time is the ultimate healer, but it is nice to find something to sooth in the meantime. Sometimes, something as methodical as whipping up a nice lather and having some alone time as you shave can really calm a worried mind.

Hopes, for the best,
Tyler

Holding a 3-inch piece of surgically sharp steel to your throat does help concentrate the mind. :hmmm:

I am finding the practice to be an interesting confluence of Zen, science, art, craftsmanship, tradition, and the Human condition. There is a lot of "the World" concentrated where the steel and lather meet skin, and in the hand eye and mind of the shaver.

My condolences for the bad news, and the associated pain with it. I know exactly what you mean by the calming effects and I'm glad that something soothed the soul during that difficult moment.

Not to compare my situation to yours, but to give you a "calming " story, I myself had a similar calming experience tonight. I've been having a situation at work that has been very stressful and today I almost lost my cool with some co workers over attitudes and sub-par performance that could end up costing the company quite a bit of money in the short & the long term.

On the ride home I was very wound up and disgusted with how the situation there has deteriorated and how it affected me. I got home still wound up to find my favorite razor back from Lynn freshly honed along with a box of goodies from SRD. Decided to practice some self-denial and took a 3 mile walk before indulging in the box opening ritual on "goodie arrival day." Got back from the walk and I opened the box to see that gorgeous edge glistening under the light. Took a hot shower and treated myself to an amazing shave with an edge that was -- if I said "scary sharp" -- would be doing it no justice. The whole experience was just out of this world: the quiet of the still hot bathroom, the whirling of the old shavemac brush I've had for over a decade whipping up the smell of the hot Speick lather, the sound of the blade on the face, the alum block followed by the ice cold barber towel from refrigerator, some QED Da Vinci water hydrosol finished up with some Speick aftershave left me with a baby's butt smooth face. The whole experience had me so relaxed that I was almost weak kneed leaving the bathroom and all I wanted to do was come lay on the couch and crash. No more nerves, no more problems, day is over. It's good to be home, and relaxing.

This is why I use a straight razor and this is why I wet shave.

I'm glad it had a therapeutic effect for you too in your time of problems.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Nubo

Holding a 3-inch piece of surgically sharp steel to your throat does help concentrate the mind. :hmmm:

I am finding the practice to be an interesting confluence of Zen, science, art, craftsmanship, tradition, and the Human condition. There is a lot of "the World" concentrated where the steel and lather meet skin, and in the hand eye and mind of the shaver.

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Well said. This is very true.

I meditate 20 mins most days and also do Tai Chi. I am learning to consider my morning shave as a similar focus time.

Voidmonster,

Let me add my condolences for your difficult news. And thank you for sharing your story. I suspect that to adopt the straight you've got to be a little meditative anyway, but I also suspect that many of us discover meditation in this process even though we weren't looking for it. The straight shave is just good for what ails ya.