Color Clash as Therapy: How “No Matchy, No Matchy” Can Unlock Inner Peace
The drive for perfection often causes us to forget that true beauty doesn’t follow strict rules. Practice 3 in The Mindful Photography Field Guide, “No Matchy, No Matchy,” is an invitation to abandon preconceived ideas of “good taste” and lean into the beautiful chaos of colors and textures that don’t conform. Through mindful smartphone photography, this practice helps us experience peace by embracing God’s colorful, unfiltered world.
Freedom Beyond Perfection: Finding God in Colors that Don’t Conform
When we let go of trying to make everything fit neatly within boundaries, we free ourselves to see the world through a new lens—one that accepts the unconventional. “No Matchy, No Matchy” teaches us to stop overthinking and start embracing what’s real. In God’s creation, everything finds a place, and as we capture colors that clash, we step away from control and towards gratitude for life’s raw authenticity.
Pause and Focus: A Grounding Breath Before You Begin
The first step in this practice, Focus, isn’t about forcing a state of calm but simply observing where you are. Start by placing a hand on your heart, closing your eyes, and taking three slow, mindful breaths. The goal here is to set aside expectations and tune into your current level of peace. This quiet moment reminds us that mindfulness begins by acknowledging where we are, not where we wish to be. When ready, open your eyes and let your gaze wander without judgment.
Snapping Reality: Embracing Beauty in the Unexpected
Once grounded, it’s time to Capture. Rather than searching for the “perfect” shot, seek out colors, textures, or objects that naturally feel mismatched. Maybe it’s a rusted gate, a neon sign in a wooded landscape, or the whimsical combination of a red coat against a purple sky. As you take each photo, resist the urge to adjust, refine, or “improve” the frame. Instead, let your smartphone serve as a simple tool to document what is.
The goal of mindful smartphone photography isn’t to create idealized images but to engage with reality exactly as it is. In doing so, we allow ourselves to see beauty in God’s diverse creation, discovering peace in places we might typically overlook.
A Gift with No Strings: Sharing Your Work to Spark Joy
The final step in “No Matchy, No Matchy,” Shine, is about connection. This is where we break away from self-focus and send our creation into the world with a generous spirit. Without posting for social media likes or external validation, share your favorite photo with someone who might need a smile or a lift. This can be as simple as texting it to a friend, emailing it to a family member, or even using it as a wallpaper to brighten your day.
This step embodies the spiritual act of giving freely. In sharing, we experience the joy of blessing others without expecting anything in return—a practice that Jesus taught by example. Through these gestures, we not only shine our light on others but deepen our own inner peace.
Rewiring Our Idea of Beauty
What makes “No Matchy, No Matchy” so transformative is its power to challenge us to find beauty in imperfections. By stepping away from rigid ideals, we start to see that real beauty often defies neat categories. Practicing mindful photography with a focus on colors and textures that “don’t match” becomes a tangible way of accepting both ourselves and others as they are. Through the three steps—Focus, Capture, Shine—we remind ourselves that God’s creation doesn’t need perfect symmetry to be beautiful, and neither do we.
A Different Perspective on Mindfulness
Every time you choose to let go of perfection and see the world as it is, you’re not only capturing a moment but rewiring your mind to live more freely. “No Matchy, No Matchy” isn’t about discarding beauty but about expanding our understanding of it. Each photograph that doesn’t follow conventional “rules” is a testament to the freedom we gain by releasing control and embracing what’s in front of us.
Takeaway
In The Mindful Photography Field Guide, “No Matchy, No Matchy” opens the door to creative freedom and inner peace by embracing imperfection. Through mindful smartphone photography, this practice invites us to find beauty beyond conformity and connect with others through authentic self-expression.
Shine Your Light,
Joe
PS:
If you found this post helpful, you'll love my book, The Mindful Photography Field Guide: 15 Smartphone Photography Practices for Inner Peace. It’s packed with practical tips and inspiring stories. Ready to dive deeper? I also offer one-on-one mindful photography training to help you master skills that lead to inner peace. Reach out to me via my contact form and let’s connect.
