For the longest time, the thought of putting myself out there on social media absolutely terrified me. I’ve always loved creating art, jewellery, books, handmade pieces but showing myself online? Sharing my face, my voice, my thoughts? That felt like an entirely different challenge.
I was scared of judgment. I worried that no one would care about what I had to say. And honestly? I was afraid of failing. But deep down, I knew that if I wanted to grow my business and build a real community, I had to push past the fear and just start showing up.
Being visible online is intimidating. It brings up self-doubt, perfectionism, and old memories of feeling judged, overlooked, or unheard. My anxiety had me overthinking everything, every post, caption, and video. What if I said the wrong thing? What if my content wasn’t good enough? What if people thought I was cringey?
But those "what ifs" were keeping me from something way more important: connection.
One of my biggest fears? Sharing my mental health journey. I’ve struggled with anxiety, panic attacks, and depression for most of my life, and opening up about that online felt….and still feels….well terrifying. What if people saw me differently? What if they thought I was weak? But then I realised so many others were feeling the same way. And by sharing my experiences, I could help someone else feel less alone. That’s what made it worth it.
Even now, I still struggle. Some days, the weight of it all makes it hard to function, let alone create and run a business. But I’m learning that it’s okay to have those days. It’s okay to be honest about the ongoing battle. I don’t have to pretend everything is perfect, because life isn’t—and that’s okay.
Lately, I’ve been on another journey, trying to understand my body and the deeper triggers behind my anxiety and depression. I’m in the process of potentially being diagnosed with PCOS or endometriosis, and while I don’t have answers yet, I know this is something I need to face head-on. It’s scary, but I’m learning that knowledge is power. The more I understand my body, the more I can take control of my health and, hopefully, feel better both physically and mentally.
So, I started small. Sharing little behind-the-scenes moments, writing personal captions, creating this blog. It felt awkward at first, but over time, it has gotten easier. I still have a way to go to feel comfortable, and I guess that’s why I’m sharing this—to put it all out there for the world to hear.
I had to remind myself: people connect with realness, not perfection. They just want to see you. The quirks, the flaws, the journey.
And the more I engaged, the more I realised—my audience wasn’t there to judge me. They were there because something in my work or my story resonated with them. Seeing their kindness and support? That changed everything.
Since stepping out of my comfort zone, I’ve grown in ways I never expected. Not just in business, but in confidence. I’ve connected with like-minded souls, received heartfelt messages from people who appreciate my work, and I’m building a brand that feels genuinely like me. And for that, I am so sincerely thankful.
If you’re scared to put yourself out there, I get it. I’ve been there. But trust me, the more you do it, the easier it gets. And the right people? They will see you, support you, and celebrate you.
So take that first step. Your community is waiting. ❤️
