The Not-At-All Incompetent Marketing That Opened the Way to a Summer Festival

This article is an entry for the #ThingsWeCanDoForTheFuture contest hosted by Bungeishunju and note.

—SDG 3: "Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages"

"Jimanyan's Incompetent Marketing." I fell in love with the cute sound of the phrase at first sight 🤩 On that July night when I tapped on it,
I was swimming through a dark sea as "Korokkenosuke" after a night shift. My fortunes and posts were all missing the mark. I felt no strength in my hand gripping my smartphone, wondering, "Is it okay to keep going like this?" But the word "incompetent" rang out like a secret password, patting me on the shoulder and telling me it was okay to laugh even if I failed.

I took the plunge and joined the membership, and received an invitation to a summer festival project set in a lighthouse and a seaside night cafe. The preparation period was ten days. I poured myself into it, fighting off sleepiness to create effects like turning tarot cards into fireworks and watercolor illustrations of Kuro-chan-sensei toasting with coffee.
When
the big day arrived, the article I published received 402 views, 76 comments, and 48 likes in a single night. My Threads followers jumped from seven to twenty-eight, and the light from the screen at 2:00 AM blurred through my tears. My own voice whispering, "I'm glad I kept going," sounded louder than the sound of the waves.

A place where you can laugh at your failures is more effective than an energy drink. During preparation, I scrapped over ten ideas and redid the image generation five times. Each time, stamps flew into the chat saying, "That's interesting too!" Even if you're laughed at, your lifeline doesn't get cut—rather, the sense of security in showing each other our "incompetence" increased the number of times I challenged myself and added depth to my work. I learned firsthand that laughter is a safety belt for failure.

Looking back, the secret to continuing was the detours that served as nourishment. The more you rush for results, the narrower your vision becomes, and both your health and creativity wear thin. But when you dive into a project you love, support and stimulation circulate, and the excitement outweighs the fatigue. I decided to write "Weekly Reward Project" on my calendar. Having plans makes me want to regulate my sleep and meals. Protecting my health is the foundation for keeping the future lit. So, I think I'll light up the Gecko Cafe again tonight and wait for the next festival.

#ThingsWeCanDoForTheFuture
#Korokkenosuke#
#HimawariJimanyan🌻