Don't Let the Fear of Imperfection Stop You from Starting!
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The Paralyzing Fear of Imperfection
Starting something new can be scary.
Whether it's going back to school, a new job, or setting up a new routine; fear of the unknown can be overwhelming, even paralyzing.
But is what you’re feeling really fear of the unknown? Or is it fear of imperfection?
The Fear of Starting
We’ve all been in this position at some point in our lives. We stand on the edge of something new and hesitate to take the first step because we’re afraid.
“What if I fail?”
“What if I’m not good enough?”
“What will they think?”
Trust me, I get it.
I’m finally restarting my content creator journey after almost 6 months since posting my last video. I’m starting with a new blog, a new YouTube channel, and a new perspective.
So why if I’ve done this before and had success on the levels that were important to me in the past…why was it so hard to jump right into a fresh start?
I realized that I didn’t fear starting as much as I had a fear of imperfection.
Breaking Free of Perfection
With my previous channels, I was so focused on perfect aesthetics: getting the perfect shots and angles, and showing the best parts of running my business, that I lost sight of why I wanted to create content in the first place.
I wanted to give people more of a realistic perspective of life. As a Native New Yorker, as a millennial, as a mom. An authentic look inside of what it looks like to be on the grind in a high-cost city. But I allowed the fear of imperfection to convince me that even though it was real, it still had to be pretty.
I had this big, elaborate plan for launching this blog and my new YouTube channel. I wanted to create warm, cozy, aesthetically pleasing posts and videos. You know, the ones with perfectly lit rooms, minimalist decor, and flawless editing. But then I looked around my home and realized—that's not me right now.
My apartment walls are grey and it can get dark quickly because the sun sets behind my building. And since I’m not a 5 AM girlie (nor will I pretend to be for content); I frequently run out of daylight to catch those perfect “golden hour” shots.
I don't live in a cute cottage surrounded by nature. I live in Queens, NYC, probably the furthest thing from that cottagecore vibe you can imagine.
I’m also tight on space, so I had to turn my dining room and part of my living room into my home office. My kitchen has dark wood cabinets that I didn't choose, and my bathroom is about the size of a small walk-in closet.
But you know what? It's my cozy home for now, and I love it.
This is my reality, and it's time I embraced it instead of trying to fit into someone else's aesthetic. I had to let go of the fear of imperfection to get out of my own way and just create!
Embracing Authenticity
When we admire others' results, we don't usually see the challenges that went into their journey—the sleepless nights, the sacrifices, and the doubts.
I forgot to remember this when it came to me!
People have congratulated me and been in awe over things I’ve accomplished and in my head I’m like, Thank you so much, but damn, this was a bunch of hard work!
Some people get paid to portray perfection, so I get it. But for most of us, that's not the case.
I've been on both sides, trying to present a perfect image and feeling pressure to meet unrealistic standards. It's exhausting.
Chasing perfection was stealing the joy out of creating for me.
The Beauty of Imperfection
Mistakes and imperfections are part of what makes us human. They're how we learn and grow.
I've made plenty of mistakes, and I'm sure I'll make more. But that's okay.
The only true failure in life is when you give up on yourself.
It's not about never falling; it's about getting back up every time you do.
Just Start Now
So, whatever you've been thinking about starting, just start. Whether it's a new hobby, a business idea, or a lifestyle change; you'll make mistakes and might even fail a few times. But that's part of the process.
Don't wait for the perfect moment, or until you feel completely ready, because that moment might never come.
Start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can.
Give yourself grace.
Be kind to yourself and allow yourself to be a beginner. Give yourself grace when things don't go as planned. It’s okay not to have all the answers and feel uncertain. What's important is that you're still taking steps forward.
Watch the video:
I'm excited to be on this journey of embracing imperfection. I hope that by sharing my experiences, I can encourage and inspire you to do the same.
Here’s the video that was 5 months in the making and literally 2 days whipped together when I threw that 5-month plan out.
Enjoy Bookies! Catch you soon.