What happens, Reader, when we are so focused on something being perfect that we forget to acknowledge the effort to simply show up?

What happens when we are so constrained by the fear we might fail that we forget even to give something a go?

What happens when we live with secrets, with parts of us trapped, too afraid to express, explore, and uncover?

We struggle.

We hurt.

We stop.

Perfectionism is a key source of many people's anxiety and stress, and it can show up in the most curious ways. It is one thing to feel like we are not meeting the needs of our children or workplace, it's another to think, I can't make art because it won't be 'good enough'.

Creative mental health care uses art making to start to unpack and challenge our deeply seated views of ourselves, with curiosity and compassion. By learning how to be comfortable with "less than perfect", we open ourselves up to a way of believing we can show up in all our versions. We can be less than perfect.

Today, Reader, I wanted to share a thought with you.

What if, instead of thinking "If this isn’t perfect, then it’s worthless," we tried reframing it to:
​"If this helps me feel calm and brings even a moment of joy, it is worth everything."

You don’t need to be “good at art” to join us. You just need to be willing to play.
​Permission to Play isn’t about making something beautiful. It’s about creating space to breathe, notice, and express without judgment.

Our next live session is coming up, and I’d love to invite you to join us. Whether you’ve been to one before or this is your first time, you’re welcome.

If you're not already in the Permission to Play community, now’s the perfect time to jump in. It’s a space for gentle encouragement, creative prompts and community creating, and the kind of support that says, “you don’t have to do this perfectly — just come as you are.”

Click the button to join the group for 14 days FREE and attend this weekend session!

Let’s keep showing up — imperfectly, together.

Until Soon.

With Kindness,
Delphie Joy xox

PS: Recently, I have been struggling most with perfectionism and how I show up for families suffering from the devastating blockade and bombardment in Palestine. I have been selling my artworks and donating 100% of the money from these paintings to families in Gaza. I can't do everything for everyone, which is hard, but I am zooming out and seeing that, even my small contributions are doing SOMETHING, and for that I am grateful.

If you haven't already followed me there, please come and say hi on Instagram.

I hope you might join us on Sunday in the PTP group, it is always a light in the week, especially ones that feel dark.

With love on the wind xox