Reframing the Ridiculous

👋 Happy New Year, you brilliant messes,

Ever look at something in your life—whether it’s a task, an object, or even yourself—and think, “Not bad... but also, not great. Just kind of meh?”

Not bad enough to burn in a dumpster fire, but not good enough to merit more than a passing glance?

Well, here’s a little trick from the Dumb Thinker’s playbook:

It’s called reframing.

Reframing is the magical skill of taking whatever feels meh and turning it into something that’s worthy of your precious brain space.

Think of it as your very own pair of rose-colored glasses that you get to slap on anything.

But here’s the key: You’re not making any material changes to the object, or task—instead, you’re changing how you perceive it.

Giving it a new, more interesting context.

The Power of Reframing
When you reframe something, it stops being just another random object or idea and starts to feel like it actually matters. Take the 🪨 Pet Rock—in the 1970s, some genius decided to sell actual rocks in boxes, claiming they were “low-maintenance pets.” Yes, that’s right, a rock—a thing that literally does nothing. But by calling it a “pet,” it went from being a literal chunk of earth to a must-have absurd novelty. Genius, right?

Or take 💫 fidget spinners, which were initially just spinning toys for bored kids, but somehow, with a little marketing magic, were transformed into “productivity tools” that helped people focus.

And let’s not forget 🌊 water bottles. At their most basic, they’re just containers for water. But with the right spin—suddenly they’re “eco-friendly hydration essentials” that you can’t live without. Add a fancy label, and now you’re willing to spend $30 on a thing that holds water. It’s incredible how a little reframing can turn the dumbest thing into a “must-have accessory” that feels like an innovation.

Other Real-World Reframing Examples:

🥑 Avocado Toast: What started as a humble breakfast choice—literally toast with avocado—has been turned into the millennial status symbol. It’s no longer a snack; it’s “the ultimate self-care meal”. Add a sprinkle of narrative, a dash of influencer buzz, and voilà—now you’re paying $15 for mashed avocado on bread and feeling great about it.

🖍️ Adult Coloring Books: These were supposed to be for kids, right? But somehow, someone figured out that if you slap the label “stress-relieving” and “mindfulness tool” on a coloring book, suddenly it’s not just for children—it’s a wellness trend. Forget relaxation with a glass of wine; now you’re “centering yourself” with a pack of Crayolas.

👕 Upcycled Fashion: That old sweater that’s been hanging in your closet for decades? Just "old used clothing." But add a little flair, rebrand it as “vintage” or “upcycled fashion,” and suddenly, it’s an eco-friendly statement piece. It’s amazing how calling something “upcycled” can make it feel like you’re not just recycling clothes—you’re part of a movement.

Reframing isn’t just for objects or ideas—it can work wonders on how you see yourself. 

If you’re feeling like you’re stuck in the mundane, or maybe you’ve fallen into the “I’m not living up to my potential” trap, it’s time to reframe the situation.

For example: feeling old and not as useful with your younger peers?

Reframe yourself as a “vintage 90’s girlboss with distressed edges.” 

Sure, you’ve got a few more years on you, but that only means you’ve got the wisdom and charm of a collector’s item—plus, you’ve got those battle scars that make you stand out!

In Sanskrit, māyā (माया) refers to the magical art of transforming the ordinary into something extraordinary.

It’s like giving something a complete makeover—not with a new look, but by changing how we see it.

You’re not just calling it a “mess” anymore; suddenly, it’s a “creative space.”

Take your cluttered desk.

What was once a chaotic jumble of papers and coffee cups?

Now, it’s “a workspace filled with creative potential.”

Congratulations, you’ve just worked a little māyā magic.

Reframe something, anything!

1️⃣ Spot It: Find something in your life that feels blah—a forgotten object, a daily routine, or even a fleeting moment.

2️⃣ Reimagine It: Give it a new meaning or label. Think of how you can add more fun, more pleasure, or more meaning to it.

3️⃣ Show It Off: Snap a picture of your newly reframed discovery.

4️⃣ Rebrand It: Craft a caption that spins your ordinary find into something extraordinary. Bonus points for being clever, quirky, or ridiculously over-the-top.

5️⃣ Share It: Post it on social media (or just share it with a friend). Watch as others start to see what you see—a little brilliance in the mundane.

✨ Don’t forget to tag us if you do—because nothing’s more fun than watching dumb ideas come to life. Let’s see what you’ve got! 🚀

The Reframing Toolkit:

✓ Rebrand: Take something ordinary and give it a catchy, buzzworthy name. When you rebrand something, you elevate its status and make it sound more important.

✓ Add an Experience: Reframe something by adding an experience around it. When you wrap the mundane in a layer of fun, exclusivity, or humor, it becomes something worth paying attention to.

✓ Over-Hype It: Turn the ordinary into something legendary. Talk about the most mundane things as if they’re the next big thing. Sell the excitement. 

✓ Attach a Vision: Reframe something by tying it to a larger purpose or future vision. Whether it’s a messy corner of your office or a piece of broken furniture, explain how it’s part of a bigger, visionary project.

Thanks for embracing the power of dumb thinking with me today!

SHARE YOUR REFRAMING MOMENT WITH US: Tell me about a time you took something mundane or “dumb” and reframed it into something remarkable. The best story wins our “Reframing Workbook” AND a signed copy of my book, Dumbify.

Stay conceptually ridiculous,
David

P.S. Know someone who could use a fresh perspective? Forward this email—sometimes the best way to make the ordinary extraordinary is to rethink it from a new angle.