There have been many times that I started writing a blog and deleted it less than 2 sentences in because it felt imperfect. It felt like no one was going to be interested or the comments were going to be filled with how inaccurate my information was. The same fear popped up when I was trying to do a podcast as well. 

Where did this all come from? My guess is that it started with the comment sections on the internet. The ridicule people have gotten for mistakes (not just the big ones either) or even being obsessed with something that we love. Our minds have a tendency to navigate to those negative comments and forget about the positive ones that are mixed in. Looking at magazines or even social media photos can sometimes give a complex because of how perfect they are. Turn that around and people will complain about the amount of photoshop involved to make it so unrealistic.

So with negative comments coming from both ends of the spectrum, is there any hope of a middle ground?

Yes. Recently there was a post on an account I follow on Instagram that made the case for starting before you’re ready. In the world where everything is so curated and edited, including all the AI content now being put out into the world, people are wanting authenticity. Being authentic and yourself is the best way to attract people to your little corner of content creation. Seeing someone at the start and following their journey by celebrating their successes as they learn and grow, that’s something to see. At least for me. I love seeing someone’s journey as they build something incredible by being true to themselves rather than catering to the internet.

Granted, it may not feel or look like you are actually attracting people or followers at first. Sticking with it by showing all your imperfections and flaws, that is what attracts people. The more authentic content you put out, the more you attract the people looking for what you are creating. Yes, people will have preferences for what they want to see you create, but that’s always a passing fancy. You being yourself and creating what you love draws people in. The ones that stay are definitely your crowd. 

Boiling this down, I still have this fear of being myself. I feel like the content I create isn’t good enough or perfect enough to show the world. However, at some point you will have to stop and say “enough is enough, this is done” on whatever project you have. If it feels like you, and the authentic you, then it’s done. You can’t people please and cater to the world all the time without giving up parts of yourself that you love. It starts to be a drain on mental health. 

While the paralysis of perfectionism will always be there and still be real, you can work through it. I know that’s what I’m doing here. So, I encourage you to do the same. Avoid chasing the likes and be true to who you are. If you like edited and curated video, perfect! Keep doing it. If you feel like that’s who you have to be, but really you want a more relaxed style, then do that. There are so many options in the world and so many people doing content creation, but there is only one you. There is only one you that is doing things your way. 

Join me in being imperfect and true to yourself. Until next time, safe exploring everyone.

Check out my YouTube channel, new videos coming soon!!