Start Messy, Start Anyway– Overcoming Fear of Starting
Feel stuck at the starting line? Learn why beginning is the hardest step—and how to push through the fear and finally hit “publish.”
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Starting is not about discipline—it’s about fear.
I can barely remember publishing my first blog post more than six years ago. What I do remember is that I didn’t feel paralyzed by thoughts like, “What will others think?”
Not because I believed I was a great writer—far from it. My lack of fear had more to do with what I’d already experienced.
Since meeting my husband in 1996, we’ve run several brick-and-mortar businesses together. Publishing a post online might feel like shouting into the void, but in our businesses, there was no hiding.
We were face-to-face with real customers, every single day.
As a 19-year-old fresh out of high school, I found myself behind the counter asking people what they wanted to eat.
At first, it seemed simple. But when customers were stressed, impatient, or unhappy, things got hard. My heart often raced like I was running a 100-meter sprint—especially when I had no clue how to handle their reactions.
There were a lot of tough moments—fights with customers and doubts within myself.
But the lessons I learned? Every one of them was worth it.
So if you’re just starting your writing or online business journey and the first step feels scary—I hear you.
That fear is real.
But here’s the truth: the first step is always the hardest. And waiting won’t make it easier.
Overcoming fear of starting isn’t about becoming fearless.
It’s about being willing to move forward even when your heart is racing. Just take the step—or don’t. (Like the Rolling Stones say: Take it or leave it.)
But if you’re ready to take it, I’ve created a simple guide to help you go from zero to one.
After reading it, I bet you’ll be ready to hit Publish on that post that’s been sitting in your Substack drafts for too long.
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Why “Zero to One” Feels So Hard
From zero to one is the hardest step—because you have no experience.
It’s totally new, and your brain is freaking out. That’s normal.
Our primitive brain is wired to look for danger, so by default, it starts generating thoughts like:
What if no one reads it?
What if they don’t like it?
I’m not good enough.
I could go on.
But here’s the thing:
There’s nothing wrong with you. These thoughts show up for everyone. You’re not alone—and you’re not broken.
And that’s actually good news. Because it means overcoming fear of starting isn’t some rare talent—it’s a skill you can learn.
So how do you move past it?
By starting. Even if it’s messy. Even if it’s small.
Why? Because action creates momentum.
When you start from zero, you don’t have experience yet—but as soon as you take action, even imperfectly, you begin to learn.
Every mistake, every tiny win gives you feedback.
And that feedback fuels your growth.
With every step, you build momentum. And with momentum, comes confidence.
But none of that can happen until you take the very first step.
What’s Really Behind the Fear
Time to face the truth.
What kind of fear is holding you back from taking the first step?
Whether it’s publishing your first post, writing a note, going live on video, or launching something new—there’s often a specific fear underneath the hesitation.
Let’s look at the most common ones:
Fear of judgment
Fear of judgment is one of the biggest blocks to starting—especially when your work feels personal. You might worry about what others will think of your ideas, your voice, or your decision to put yourself out there.
But often, the harshest critic isn’t out there—it’s the one in your own head, telling you you’re not good enough before anyone else even has a chance.
Fear of wasting time
This fear shows up as overthinking, procrastinating, or waiting for the “perfect” moment. It’s rooted in the belief that your effort—learning, creating, showing up—might all be for nothing.
The thought “What if I give this my all and it still doesn’t work?” can be paralyzing.
But here’s the truth: time will pass anyway.
The real question isn’t “Will this be worth it?”—it’s “What will it cost me not to try?”
Fear of success (and what it demands)
Success sounds exciting—until you realize it comes with new expectations, visibility, and responsibilities. For many, the deeper fear isn’t failing—it’s what happens if things actually work out.
You might wonder: “What if I can’t keep it up? What if I’m exposed as a fraud? What if success changes me or my life too much?”
These are real and valid concerns. But often, they point to the need for clearer boundaries, not less ambition.
You get to grow into success at your own pace—and define what it means on your terms.
Fear of letting go of an old version of yourself
Starting something new means leaving behind the version of you who stayed small, played it safe, or didn’t feel “ready.”
That can feel like grief—even when you know you’re stepping into something better.
Letting go of the familiar—your current routine, self-image, or comfort zone—can feel like losing a part of yourself. But you’re not erasing her.
You’re honoring this person by becoming who you were always meant to be.
Take a moment to be honest with yourself:
What exactly are you afraid of when it comes to starting?
Is it failure, being judged, being seen, or not living up to your own expectations?
Naming your fear is the first step in overcoming fear of starting—because once you see it clearly, it loses its power over you.
Reframing the First Step
“The secret to overcoming fear of starting is giving yourself permission to begin badly—but begin anyway.”
Progress doesn’t come from waiting until everything is perfect.
It comes from being willing to show up—even if it’s messy or awkward at first.
Remind yourself: you’re not in school, and you’re not being graded. You’re simply beginning something new. Whether it’s a Substack, a blog, your first published post, or anything else—starting is the goal.
The world is big. Some people will appreciate what you share, and some won’t.
But if even one person is helped by what you create, that’s already 100% more than if you never started at all.
And here’s another truth: the more you publish, the less anyone remembers your messy beginning. In fact, your imperfect start might be exactly what inspires someone else to take their first step too.
Practical Ways to Push Through the Fear
Overcoming fear of starting doesn’t require a grand plan—it begins with small, doable actions that build safety, self-trust, and momentum.
Here are a few simple strategies to help you move forward today:
Set a 15-minute timer and do one thing.
Fear shrinks when you shift from thinking to doing. Set a timer and write a rough headline, open your Substack draft, or brainstorm 3 post ideas. You don’t need to finish—just start. This creates a feeling of safety by proving to your brain: "I can take small steps without danger."
Create a “tiny win” checklist.
Break your goal into micro-steps—things like “open Substack,” “write 3 sentences,” or “add a headline.” Each check mark gives your nervous system a hit of self-trust and progress. Tiny wins build the muscle of momentum.
Make it private before making it public.
If hitting “publish” feels too scary right now, give yourself space to explore first. Write in a private draft, or publish to yourself only. This gives your creativity room to breathe while building confidence behind the scenes.
Tell someone you trust that you’ve started.
Share your first step with a friend, mentor, or even a fellow creator online. Saying it out loud makes it real—and being witnessed in your beginning can reinforce your commitment and reduce shame or self-doubt.
These small moves are more than just tasks—they’re emotional resets.
Each one tells your brain: It’s safe to try. I can trust myself. I don’t have to do it all at once. And over time, those messages become your new default.
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You’re Building Self-Belief
Every time you take action—even a tiny one—you’re building self-belief.
You’re showing yourself that you’re the kind of person who starts, who tries, who grows.
That matters more than doing it perfectly.
It takes real courage to begin something new, especially when:
No one is watching yet
No one is cheering yet
Your inner critic is the loudest voice in the room
But here you are—reading, reflecting, and getting closer to your first step. That’s brave.
You don’t need to be fearless.
You just need to be willing:
Willing to feel uncomfortable
Willing to try
Willing to move forward imperfectly
Take a moment and ask yourself: What’s really holding me back right now?
Is it fear of failure?
Fear of being seen?
Fear of not being good enough?
Breathe. And remind yourself: It’s just your brain trying to protect you—but it’s lying.
You’re not in danger. You’re on the edge of growth.
You’ve got this.
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