Reclaiming the Joy of Play
Happy Friday, you vibrant soul!
We’ve reached the grand finale of our Technicolour Takeover, and we’re going out with some paint on our hands and a rebellious spark in our hearts.
Lately, we’ve talked about the “Secret Superpower Socks” and the “Seasonal Flutter.” But today, we’re tackling the biggest hurdle to living in full colour: The Myth of the Masterpiece.
The “Profitability” Trap
Have you ever wondered exactly when you stopped feeling like an artist? For most of us, it happened somewhere between the ages of 12 and 17.
When we’re little, we paint purple grass and six-legged dogs just because it feels good. But as we enter our teens, the “adults in the room” – teachers, parents, even well-meaning friends – start applying a “usefulness” filter to our joy. We are hearing things like:
- “That’s a nice hobby, but how are you going to make money doing that?”
- “Is that really the best use of your time?”
- “Maybe focus on something you’re actually “good” at.”
Suddenly, creativity isn’t a playground anymore; it’s a performance. If it isn’t “monetizable” or “masterful,” we’re told it’s a waste of time. We learn to sit quietly in the “beige” because we’re afraid of being “bad” at being colourful.
Well, today we are officially reclaiming our tight to be “useless” and “bad” at art and play. We are firing the inner critic that was hired by a comment made to us twenty years ago. You aren’t producing a product today; you are nourishing a soul.
The “Zero-ROI” Challenge
I am challenging you to do one zero-stakes creative thing today. The goal? To make something “ugly” and absolutely love the process of doing it. Do something that has zero Return on Investment – it won’t make you money, it won’t go on a resume, and it might not even be “good” by traditional standards. It’s just for you.
- Finger Paint: Use your actual hands. Get messy and forget the “technique.”
- The 2-Minute “Terrible” Poem: Write the silliest, most nonsensical poem about your morning coffee or the dust bunnies under the couch.
- Kitchen Alchemy: Cook something without a recipe. Throw in spices just because the colours look “Technicolour” together.
- Physical Play: Go outside and shoot some hoops or kick a ball around. Don’t keep score, don’t worry about your form, and don’t try to “win.” Just feel the rhythm of the ball and the sun on your face!
- The Napkin Doodle: Draw something ridiculous while you’re waiting for the kettle to boil.
The Final Pivot
Living in full colour means realizing that life is a work in progress. You are the artist, the canvas, and the exuberant cheerleader all in one. In our world, “Good” isn’t measured by how it looks on a shelf – “Good” is simply Done with Joy.
Don’t wait for perfection to start playing. The magic is in the mess!
Your Mission:
I want to hear about (or see!) your “Zero-ROI Masterpiece”! Drop a comment and tell me: what is one creative thing you used to love before someone told you it had to be “useful”? Let’s reclaim that joy together.
Exuberantly, yours
Fabulously Positive
Image for graphic by Riccardo Farinazzo on Unsplash