Welcome to The Friends Theory, where we use pop culture and story to reframe the way you see your life, work, and what you’re capable of.

This week, we’re remembering how to use our imagination and have some funnnnn, babe.

3-minute read.

A quick note before we get into it:

I haven't written one of these since August.

Six weeks. Which is somewhat embarrassing. I was having a really good time — holiday, life, the general business of living — and then one week turned into two, and two turned into six, and here we are.

The irritating thing about letting something slip is how easy it is. You tell yourself you'll pick it back up next week. And then next week comes and goes. Then you start to overthink and question. And then you realise that next week is starting to sound a lot like a Sunday Someday. And I know where someday goes (to a place of regret).

I love writing this newsletter. I love that people read it. I'd kick myself if I let it become one of those things I look back on and think: I wonder what would have happened if I'd just kept going.

So. Here we are. We're back.

The One Where Peter Remembered How To Play

Insights from Hook (1992)

🎬 Picture it:
If you haven't seen the movie Hook, here's what you need to know. Also, go and watch the movie Hook.

Peter Pan grew up. He became Peter Banning. He married Moira. He became a hotshot lawyer — overworked, stressed out, no fun at parties, and very much the kind of person who takes work calls at his kid's baseball game.

He forgot who he was.

The whole film is him trying to remember. And also trying to save his kids, because Hook kidnaps them, which as motivations go is fairly significant.

The whole movie is a roller coaster of "when did I forget who I was and when did I forget how to play?" But there's one specific scene that captures it all.

Peter is back with the Lost Boys, training to remember how to fly, how to crow, how to bangerang, so he can go and rescue his kids. After a lonnnnng day of it they sit down to eat. Peter is knackered and starving. Alas, the table is completely empty. But all the other kids are going absolutely mad for it — piling their plates, taking enormous bites of absolutely nothing, having the time of their lives.

Peter stares at the table. He's starving. He doesn't get it.

He goes back and forth with Rufio — the Lost Boys' new leader — in a brilliant word fight. And then Peter picks up a spoon, pretends it's full of food, flicks it at him, and watches real food land on Rufio's face.

Peter looks at the table.

It's covered. Massive turkey legs. Pies with primary-coloured whipped cream piled high. Mountains of food in every direction.

The scene ends in the most joyous food fight.

I said to my wife when we were watching: "I always wished I could have food like that." So colourful. So joyful. A huge table, friends, food fights, everyone laughing.

It just makes you laugh.

Ever Been Here?

When did we stop doing that?

Using our imagination. Letting ourselves play. Deciding, even for a moment, that the table is full.

I know, I know. There are bills to pay and mouths to feed and the daily grind doesn't stop for anyone. And look — the world is an absolute dumpster fire right now. The economy, the climate, the threat of AI extinction. Oh, and an orange buffoon who is being anything but the leader of the free world. Everywhere you look there is noise and negativity and despair, and it is so depressing.

But sometimes you gotta let loose. You can get back to that childlike way of being. It doesn't mean disregarding your responsibilities or going through some huge evolution. It just means finding a moment. I’ve found a few and they were fab. 

Two weeks ago I went to a rave at Luxembourg airport. I'm serious. Outside, to the right of the main entrance was a DJ, a bar, and a view of the runway. It was very Ibiza, except the only planes I saw were Ryanair and EasyJet . My new friend and I danced and laughed and I was home by 11:30pm. And it was ace. 

Yesterday I played with my son in the garden and we were both swinging on the one swing, laughing so hard.

When it's not my turn to do bedtime, I put my headphones on, play Charlotte de Witte techno, and dance around the kitchen cleaning. I probably look ridiculous but I don’t give a flying and who cares anyway. 

Where can we find these moments of joy and bring more of them into our lives? Because Lord knows we need it.

Try This On:

I don't have a specific reframe this week. Maybe not every edition needs one. It doesn't have to be smart or clever. It just has to be true.

So here's what I'll say:

Find a moment in your day to have the most fun. Pretend the table is full of the most incredible food you've ever seen. Pretend it so hard you start to feel it.

Where is your food fight?

The world will still be a mess tomorrow. The news will still be terrible. The bills will still exist.

But so will you. And that's more exciting than the alternative.

Final Thought

Peter Banning eventually remembers who he is.

It takes his kids getting kidnapped. It takes going back to the Lost Boys. It takes a word fight with Rufio and a spoon full of imaginary food. It's a real extreme, if we're honest.

You probably (definitely) don't need all of that.

You might just need a rave at an airport. Or a garden swing. Or hard techno and a mop.

Let’s let our hair down and have a dance, shall we? 

See you next week. For real this time 🤞🏻
Lucy xx

P.S. If you’re feeling ready for a food fight but not sure where to start, start here 👇

Thanks for reading The Friends Theory. I appreciate you so much ❤️