Creating content of any kind can be daunting and it was no different for me. It wasn’t until I started creating social media posts for others that I realized that I could, and probably should, start building my own social presence. It didn’t make it any easier though. While I had the ideas, I didn’t have the consistency or willpower to keep it going which made creating seem pointless.

Have you felt like this?

Things started to change when my life took yet another downward turn. I didn’t have anything to lose. The worst that could really happen is that no one liked my content. That didn’t seem so bad with everything else that was going on. Plus, I was beginning a new journey. It was the perfect time to bring everything together.

Yes, yes, yes, this was only a few weeks ago but it all still applies.

Especially since I’m getting ready to launch my YouTube channel.

But what kept me from making videos and keeping up with social media before?

My Life Wasn’t Aesthetic Enough

This was a HUGE part of my hesitancy. When I watched videos from my favorite creators their lives seemed so perfectly crafted. Yes, I knew it probably wasn’t always like this but I couldn’t help but feel like I would never match up. After all, I live in a house with a toddler and two dogs and a house filled with crap that I don’t have the willpower to go through.

This shouldn’t have been an excuse at all. I could have shown my life exactly how it was but it was something I couldn’t get past.

I found myself buying items to alleviate this flaw but it just brought more things into the house. We were already living with a bunch of stuff that we weren’t allowed to get rid of that kept us from decluttering.

This time, I cleaned up the areas that I wanted to film (to the best of my ability with my lack of energy in the third trimester). I decided that as long as I tried to at least straighten up that would have to be good enough for now until we were able to move elsewhere.

I’m Not Pretty Enough

If I can’t count the number of times I thought of how beautiful my favorite creators were and how I was nowhere near that. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have a problem with my appearance. I’m very happy with who I am but I wasn’t sure I was ready to put it up on the screen for everyone to see.

My excuses always centered around how I needed a haircut or I needed to put on makeup. The funny thing is, though, that whenI finally did pick up to camera to film I didn’t do either of those things. Plus, there were also ways that I could film where I wasn’t in the frame.

While this was originally a big setback, I think I can safely say that I am moving past this. If people don’t like how I look then that’s on them. They don’t have to watch.

My House is Loud

I don’t remember the last time my house was just quiet. With dogs and a toddler, there’s always something going on. Someone always has to be making some sort of sound. It seemed impossible to record anything without being interrupted.

Sure, I was somewhat right. No one wants to hear kids’ songs in the background of a video while I’m trying to talk about where I’m at in my coding journey or how I keep p. However, there are ways to get around this. It only took months of watching creators I admire to realize that I could just do a voiceover and not have to worry about it.

I would just have to set aside time in the evening after the tiny human went to bed.

I Was Too Tired

“I should have started this at the beginning of my pregnancy.”

It would have been easier and I could have gotten the ball rolling before I was dragging myself to bed any chance I got. I didn’t want to have to think about filming my days when it was difficult enough just to make breakfast for myself, much less two other hungry individuals.

Believe me, I’m still exhausted all the time and you can see it on my face since putting on makeup is too much for me at this point.

I do feel a sense of pride though when I finish filming a section of content, no matter how short or long it is. That’s what keeps me going. I know I’m in the process of creating something and that all I need to do is push through. The real test is always editing the footage.

I Don’t Live An Interesting Life

Ha! I have a toddler. Every day is a new adventure.

I don’t travel or go to events but, let’s be honest, I own a business, work from home, am going through a web development course, have a toddler, and spend my free time (what little there is) playing video games. There has to be something interesting about all of that. Plus, my lack of general life management skills makes everything that much more unpredictable.

If I ever get up the courage to talk about the family dynamics of my life, there would be so much more juicy content but we’ll see. I don’t want to piss everyone off just yet. That’s my husband’s job.

No One Would Watch My Content

All that work and no one watching made me not even want to start. I’m sure this is the biggest setback for most aspiring creators. If you don’t have the certainty of success it makes the process seem harder from the very start.

I don’t think I’ve completely gotten over this but I would say that I have stopped caring as much. So what if no one watches? I created something and that’s good enough for me. I can go back and watch it and remember everything that went into it. Plus, I’ll probably have learned something in the process.

The Conclusion

Even though I had so many reservations with starting to create content, I decided that it was something that I needed to try. It could be one big failure but I was sure that I could learn many valuable lessons that I could carry forward.

I think the big takeaway is that you aren’t going to know what is going to happen unless you try. You may have to make some sacrifices to make it happen but, who knows, it may be worth it in the end.

Don’t wait. Just start.

Time to see what happens!

S.S.S.