Do not let the dispiriting feedback loops of ‘can we make this look more like shit?’ and ‘can we just cut all the stuff that was useful?’ dissuade you from the original spark that brought you to design.
You must fight the siren song or they will lull you into rocks. Rocks of sad MVPs, unfulfilled potential, and creative scurvy that makes you wonder if you actually are terrible at this job.
As you are beaten down, strive further. Treat every project like it's going in your portfolio. If it’s boring, make it interesting for yourself. Improve your skillset. Go absolutely hog wild and tear that shit down. Start from the ground up. Redesign the whole damn thing if you must. Whatever you must do to avoid the siren’s lure.
You do not always have to share these special explorations. It’s okay to make something outlandish every now and then. It can help inspire change and often will let you consider solutions you would not have thought of in whatever barely consistent hellscape you may inhabit for 8 hours a day.
Making bad shit feels bad. It’s an instinctual response. While these may rarely make it to production, they will invigorate you creatively. They might even invigorate your PM if they have any passion left in their body.
Whatever you must do, avoid the siren song.