Small Joys, Big Lessons
- JP de la Rama
- Nov 3
- 3 min read
How a Simple Halloween Night Reminded Me Why Artists Create
“Joy isn’t the absence of work — it’s the soul of creativity. When you play, you don’t just rest your mind — you awaken your art.”
Setting the Stage
It’s that time of year again — when kids light up at the sight of candy, costumes, and the thrill of knocking on strangers’ doors, yelling “Trick or treat!”
My five-year-old was no different.
Despite me still recovering from last week’s flu, her excitement was contagious.
She wanted to dress as a princess again — this time, Princess Peach — a last-minute decision that had us rummaging through her old birthday costume box.
And as we walked house to house under the village lights, I couldn’t help but wonder: What goes through a child’s mind during this night?
For me, Halloween wasn’t even part of my childhood — it wasn’t a local tradition back then.
But seeing her eyes light up at every handful of candy made me realize something profound about joy, creativity, and imagination.
Finding the Lesson Behind the Fun
As an artist, I’ve learned that wonder — the kind kids have naturally — is the core of creativity.
Kids don’t overthink. They don’t question whether something makes sense or fits a “brand.” They simply dive in, live in the moment, and let their imaginations lead.
When I was her age, my world wasn’t filled with trick-or-treats or cosplay.
I had to find imagination in the simplest places — doodling on paper scraps, building worlds in my head, inventing characters from nothing.
That innocence, that curiosity, was the spark that led me into art in the first place.
But as adults, and especially as professionals, we lose that spark.
Deadlines, invoices, and expectations take their place.
We start thinking more about what sells instead of what excites us.
We stop playing.
And that’s when creativity begins to die.
Watching my daughter that night — running from house to house, holding her pumpkin bucket like it was treasure — reminded me that creativity begins in joy.
It’s not about output, perfection, or profit.
It’s about play.
Reclaiming Joy as an Artist
Sometimes, the best creative breakthroughs come not from pushing harder, but from stepping back — and allowing yourself to enjoy the world like a kid again.
That night, despite feeling under the weather, I didn’t think about work, algorithms, or clients.
I just laughed. Took pictures. Watched her twirl in her princess dress.
And strangely enough — by the time we got home — I felt more inspired than I had in weeks.
The next morning, I picked up my sketchbook and doodled something that wasn’t “for work.” It wasn’t for social media.
It was just for me.
And that’s the lesson: joy is not a distraction — it’s fuel.
When you allow yourself to rest, play, and reconnect with what makes you human, your art becomes alive again.
Pro Tip for Artists:
If you’re feeling burned out or uninspired, take a day to do something pointless.
Dance with your kid. Rewatch your favorite childhood cartoon. Go outside and sketch what you see.
Creativity isn’t a machine — it’s a living thing that thrives on wonder.
Call to Action:
If this story resonates with you, take a moment today to rediscover joy.
Don’t wait for “motivation” to come back — go out and play.
What’s one childhood memory or moment of joy that made you fall in love with art in the first place?
Reply, comment, or share your story — I’d love to hear how you keep your creative spark alive.
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