Embracing Starting Now - Why It’s Okay to Start Messy…and Scared
Happy New Year, Friends!
Are you ready to hit the ground running this year? If, like me, you found December draining and exhausting, your first reaction might be, “Not yet!” And that’s okay. Sometimes, just the thought of starting something new feels overwhelming, especially when our energy is running low. How are we supposed to muster that kind of drive?
Just start.
But the truth is, starting is often the hardest part.
When I say “just start,” I don’t mean with force or unrealistic expectations. I mean it with compassion for where you are and however you’re feeling right now. Starting doesn’t mean diving in with hours of daily effort or having every detail perfectly planned out. In fact, it’s often the expectations we set for ourselves—the idea that we need to get it just right—that hold us back.
We think, “If I’m serious about this, I should have a full plan in place, I should be able to dedicate all this time, and I should never waver.” But let’s relieve some of that pressure right now: none of that is true.
High expectations can make any goal feel overwhelming, and the fear of missteps can stop us before we even begin. The reality is, no matter how much preparation we do, there’s rarely a “perfect” time to start, and no journey happens without pivots, adjustments, and a few wrong turns. It’s like staring at a blank canvas—full of possibility but also intimidating. Enter all the “what ifs.” What if I’m not good/smart/talented enough? What if I don’t have enough experience? What if I fail?
Those “what ifs” are part of being human. But here’s something powerful to consider: curiosity can be your ally here. Instead of overthinking, ask yourself, Am I curious enough to find out? Am I curious about where this step might lead, what I might learn, or how I might grow?
And when fear creeps in, try balancing it with a positive “what if.” What if it works out better than I imagined? What if I’m more capable than I think?
Here are some reminders I’ve found helpful for getting started, even when I didn’t feel “ready”:
Progress over perfection: Let yourself be imperfect. The real learning and growth happen along the way, not before you begin.
Don’t compare your start to someone else’s middle: Every journey is unique. Comparing yourself to others often overlooks the challenges they’ve already navigated.
Start small: Break it down. A single step, no matter how small, is still a step forward. Showing up is more important than how big the step is.
Reconnect to your why: Why does this matter to you? What core values are driving this goal? Aligning your actions with your values can quiet the fear and spark your motivation.
Fear isn’t a stop sign: Fear doesn’t mean you’re on the wrong path. Tune into the feeling of expansiveness versus constriction—sometimes the most meaningful steps feel scary.
You don’t need to be the best: You don’t have to have it all figured out to make a difference. What matters is showing up.
Consistency matters more than intensity: You don’t have to take massive leaps every day. Small, consistent actions build momentum and create change.
Starting isn’t about doing everything all at once—it’s about doing the next aligned thing, no matter how small.
The first step often feels the hardest, but it’s also the one that changes everything. So, start with what you have, where you are. Tap into your curiosity, lean into your “why,” and take that first step toward the life you want to create.
You don’t need to see the whole path right now. One step is enough to begin.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Christina
