The Joy Equation

There are two things that a pandemic is good for: self-reflection and endless Instagram scrolling. I’ve been doing plenty of both lately in my search for small moments of joy.

I’m an avid reader and observer. I watch and analyze. I collect quotes, books, and trivia like an eight year old who eagerly combs the beach, gathering every seashell they can find and adding it to their bucket. I take in so much, yet often contribute little of my own. What this time has helped me discover in myself is an imbalance - the source of a stagnancy I can’t shake. I’ve learned that input requires output. Joy is an equation, made up of multiple variables. Leave one out and things start to fall apart.

The brilliant Maya Angelou said “Find some beautiful art and admire it, and realize that that was created by human beings just like you, no more human, no less.” And really, is there anything more human than the act of creation? We’re all destined to create in some way or another, yet many of us refuse the call. It’s scary to put a piece of yourself out into the world. To create something authentically true to you is a brave act in and of itself. To take that part of you and send it out into the world is paralyzing. However, when we take a step back and realize that our favourite poem or song or painting was created by just another human, someone like us, with the same doubts and insecurities to overcome, the act of creation begins to seem a little less terrifying. 

To be human is to create. I want to highlight some other humans who have figured out the joy equation. They've cast aside their doubts and harnessed their own brand of wonderful weirdness to provide content that inspires and incites laughter. Authenticity is a concept that’s hard to nail down but when you know, you know. You know? It’s more of a feeling than anything else; a recognition that someone is in alignment with their purpose. It’s a sense that they’re on the right track and are having a good time while they’re at it. Something that brings me joy is seeing others live out their purpose in a way that’s unapologetically unique and just so them. It was difficult to narrow down, but I’ve selected three creators that I see as being unapologetically, authentically themselves in the work they share with the world.

Unbridled Weirdness

Photo: "You're doing f**king great, sweetie."

One of my favourite artists on Instagram is @zeppelinmoon. She creates colourful and humorous renditions of animals, usually accompanied by a silly quote or poem. Her Etsy shop bio says “I like to draw animals; especially the unloved, the feared & the endangered.” She embraces the weirdest and quirkiest of animals in the same way that she embraces her own unique style of illustration. 

This photo was recently part of a fundraising initiative in which she sold digital downloads of her prints to benefit charities supporting COVID-19 patients. These sloth beauties have now taken their rightful place as my phone’s background image, giving me a moment of joy and encouragement every time I pick up my device (which is often these days, let’s be real).

Unique Passion

Video: "The signs in quarantine"

This video was created by comedic sketch sensation, Benito Skinner. Skinner is a satirical god. No celebrity is safe from his humorous, yet good-natured, ridicule. Aside from his uncanny Lana Del Rey and Kardashian impersonations, videos featuring the various zodiac signs’ personality traits are amongst his most popular. I chose to feature “The signs in quarantine.” 

Whether or not you consider astrology a pseudoscience, Skinner's different characterizations of each zodiac sign are hilariously and inappropriately embodied here. His passion for entertainment is unmatched; the effort put into the makeup and costumes alone is worth checking out. Skinner is another creator using his unique passion and sense of humour to add joy and levity to a bleak situation. The over-the-top style of this video in particular makes me laugh every time I watch it. 

Unabashed Creativity

Social media account: @jamesvictore

Author and speaker, James Victore, embodies unapologetic creation, which he sums up in the title of his book, Feck Perfuction. Victore uses his social media platforms to encourage others to embrace the mess, the quirks, and the chaos that make one human. He shares posts that uplift and inspire, but in an often humorous manner that doesn’t feel tired or contrived.

He dives deep into the very theme that’s been top of mind for me throughout this pandemic: Creation is human; it is necessary. He encourages others to learn how to be comfortable amidst the discomfort of sharing yourself with others. He argues that you, like your creations, don’t need to be perfect and polished; you simply have to be sincere. You just have to keep showing up. These reminders, along with his unique manner of sowing inspiration, bring me joy. 

Throughout this exploration and mining of media, I’ve unearthed the following joy equation: 

unique passion + unbridled weirdness + unabashed creativity = joy

It’s as simple as that. And, like most things, it may be simple but it's definitely not easy.