When you make a list do you make it purely for competitive purposes or do you use other factors like fun or paint jobs or just whether or not you like playing with it?

I have only been playing for a couple months and seem to see a lot of folks who make their lists for pretty competitive purposes. Spamming would be a strong word but some folks definitely put things on their list that are pretty damn strong, synergistic, etc.

So, I also read the thread on "is your list hobby", or actually I read both threads.

If I am making a list should I go balls out and max out my codex or should I do what the hell I want and not worry about winning and losing (I'm not getting tabled and everyone says they like playing me, which is ok with me)

Just want some opinions from my locals who are also more experienced than me...