Imperfect

overcome creative fear

In 8/26/2025, Rainmaker thinks out loud:

i've been wondering how creatives find the confidence to put their works out

Seeing fellow creatives consistently ship imperfect works proved how feasible it was for me. Acknowledging that imperfection, Jeremy's Just Start suggests shipping before you're ready, then continuing. For me, shipping instills the confidence to repeat the act. Could the same cycle apply to you?

i've got all of these ideas rolling around in my brain for things i'd like to write and stories i want to share with people but there's a few thing stopping me like what if people hate it or somehow i lose my voice?

While others own their impressions, don't forget that haters are pollinators too. True haters often show and share how much they value you, notably when you're in danger of escaping their purview. Their different perspectives can feel refreshing once in a while. They can even be spun toward your side at times with masterful enough exchanges.

Like yourself, I own my attention. Cycle through production and consumption to intuit who values you most and who you value most. Shift your focus to your fans who crave your attention. Better yet, drift toward your mutuals who cherish you and return the favor. Let love augment hate.

Alternatively, you can play while ignoring or preventing responses. Many people blog without exposing contact methods or acknowledgment of those interacting with their words. You can translate that carefree, hands-off nature to many other hobbies and pastimes.

i don't think there'd be anything worse for me than creating something so personal and then having a shift in opinion or thought and not being able to relate with it anymore, if that makes sense

Change is the only constant. Like our own physical bodies at practically every time scale, our personalities aren't immune to shifting. Recording your thoughts and opinions can help bridge gaps between them over time. Think of the practice like highway markers or leaving a path of bread crumbs behind you. The inevitable art of letting go of opinions can be met by the offloading of them elsewhere, in the hope that they jog or bolster your memory for later. Sometimes, you learn more from your process away from something than interacting with the object itself.

so it's stopping me for now, i suppose

Alban's Mostly good advice on how to start something prescribes learning by doing as circumventing coping mechanisms like technical problems. These, like the above hypothetical questions, make sure you don't suck by preventing tries in the first place. May you cast more spells conducive to growth than aversion. Instead of holding yourself back through perfectionism, you can start now, even if you're not "ready" yet. Even if you think it's impossible, rest assured that this is how your favorite artists got started too.

i was just thinking about it because there's a newsletter/journal at my uni where people can submit their writing and i'd like to

Give it a shot. Pseudonyms or other playful disguises can ease the burdens of shyness or anxiety. Enough bravery can present the opportunity to meet, if not co-create with, fellow writers working on such newsletters and journals. How fun and exciting could that be?

Bustling locales like universities having so many people, places, and things to interface. Try widely. Mimic the networking and exposure to novelty that the real world demands. You can repurpose such handy preparations for the professional world for your network of friends too. Instead of waiting for others to step into your life, you can step into theirs and say hi.

Want to reach out? Connect with me however you prefer: