Yea absolutely! And sometimes you don’t even have to be two steps ahead either. I think it’s perfectly ok to work things out as you write. That way you and your readers can discover things together. Even better ☺️💫
Gosh, I hugely relate to your post and that feeling of the pressure to write something profound too. Your post reminds me of the Denise Duffield Thomas quote - 'Don't be a guru, be a contributor' - I remember reading that a few years ago and feeling this relief that it was OK not to know everything. And you are so right when you say that the person you love learning from the most aren't the ones that considered themselves to be experts.
Oh wow, I've never heard of that quote before but it hits the nail on the head, doesn't it? Thank you so much for sharing, that's incredibly beautiful. I'm so glad this post resonated with you! Sending love!
Definitely. So good to have these quotes and reminders when things feel hard, they can give us that bit of inspiration or push just when we need it the most.
This really speaks to me. Just get work out there. It doesn’t have to be perfect. I think that may be my problem. Holding my cards too close. And re the importance of connecting with someone to be able to learn from them. How many college professors and thinkers are number one in their field, but maybe not the best at connecting with others and impacting knowledge. There’s definitely a sad disconnect there.
You make such great points, Britta. Is it worth holding your cards so close that you miss out on connections and ways to make an impact? I definitely know I have in the past!
And you're so right about college professors too. I'm sure there are incredible ones out there but I think what you stated is a sad reality for a lot of them.
Love that you took the struggle and made it into your art!!! There is a lot to be learned by simply showing our humanness I think. That’s what inspires me anyway! Xx
Thanks for this post, I can totally relate to it. I am new to substack and new to writing. I feel the need to put pen to paper and share my thoughts but have no expertise in anything. Worrying that people will think "who the f*&^ does he think he is writing about that" :) Great post, thank you.
Congrats on your new adventure, Richard! I don't think you'll find any of those kinds of people in this space, Substack is such a great community and super supportive. I'm sure you have so much knowledge and insight to share, and so many people who need to hear it!
Thank you for this. I feel it will be such a true reflection for many. Thank you for being two steps ahead in sharing these vulnerabilities, in turn helping me take two more steps forward. You may not have been aiming for profound and impactful, but you hit the mark anyway in my eyes.
It makes so much sense. I struggle with perfectionism and the fear of judgement. Being two steps ahead means I can genuinely support those that want my creative work. I often work it out as I write and can often feel like I’m ‘winging’ it but actually, it’s simply energy at the right time x
"They are the ones that I can relate to, that know just enough about what I want to learn but are still on the journey with me." Yes, this exactly! We're all in it together. That's what I'm most interested in. 🩷
This is wonderful, Hunter! Doesn’t this just take a whole heap of pressure off?! To not be perfect or an expert, ah that feels so incredibly freeing, thank you so much for sharing! 🤍
Drawing... I was so nervous giving you your picture on holiday... I felt as if I was being somehow vain by thinking I oilfield be good enough to draw something good enough to gift... but then I thought of the kids and when they were little.. they would draw me a picture and gift it to me not to get praise but through love ... it didn’t matter if it wasn’t a Picasso... although some noses were definitely in the wrong place... they just wanted to give me love in the form of a picture... I have had issues with self confidence for a long time especially with my art.. so to me it took courage to hand you that picture... whether it be art or writing or baking it is always better if created from the heart xxxx
Aw, thank you so much for sharing this, Jenny. The picture is beautiful and we love that it's in our home for Maverick and I to enjoy. You captured us perfectly!! We love you so much. And you should always share your art, it's beautiful!
Yes, to it all Hunter. I believe we are all healers in our own way and doing our best is enough. Our actions, our words send out ripples into the ether and we will probably never know just how many souls we have showered a little light on. So often our feelings of inadequacy are not for the reasons we think they are. A beautiful post x
This is so beautiful, Tracey. Thank you. And you're absolutely right. I love how you describe it as showering a little light on, what a magical way to put it.
What a marvellous reframe, as a recovering perfectionist, its a timely reminder. I'm just in the process of relaunching my Substack and I've had to remind myself constantly that it doesn't *all* have to be in place before I share it with the world. Now, after reading this, I can say to myself "I only need to be two steps ahead" not finished, not perfect. Thank you.
So glad this resonated with you, Debs! And yes!! Just two steps ahead. I'm so excited for you to be back in the Substack world, and can't wait to see all you have to share!
Hey Hunter! I saw we have just connected on Instagram and I am so glad to have now found you on Substack as well 🎉 I absolutely loved this article. Even though I know deep in my bones, "it doesn't need to be perfect," I feel over time when we get caught up in the hustle of life, it is easy to forget, or at least, it isn't at the forefront of your mind. So, reading this post was the perfect reminder once again, to just DO THE THING.
Hi Jesse! I'm so glad we've connected too! I found you when Emma shared your page and loved that you are on Substack as well!
Ah yes, I feel that same way! I know in my heart and yet sometimes my logical mind gets me all caught up in the going, going, going perfectionism mindset. So grateful this resonated with you!!
So grateful you enjoyed reading. Thank you for your sweet comment, and you're right, there is so much gold to be found in truly living and sharing that lived experience!
Yea absolutely! And sometimes you don’t even have to be two steps ahead either. I think it’s perfectly ok to work things out as you write. That way you and your readers can discover things together. Even better ☺️💫
Ah so true! It really is such a journey, isn't it?
It is indeed! (Also I meant to type ‘yes’ not ‘yea’ above! Silly autocorrect 😆 )
Hahah I love a good 'yea' 😆
The perfect example of not worrying about everything being perfect before you hit send! 😆
Very, very true! I love it!
Gosh, I hugely relate to your post and that feeling of the pressure to write something profound too. Your post reminds me of the Denise Duffield Thomas quote - 'Don't be a guru, be a contributor' - I remember reading that a few years ago and feeling this relief that it was OK not to know everything. And you are so right when you say that the person you love learning from the most aren't the ones that considered themselves to be experts.
Oh wow, I've never heard of that quote before but it hits the nail on the head, doesn't it? Thank you so much for sharing, that's incredibly beautiful. I'm so glad this post resonated with you! Sending love!
Definitely. So good to have these quotes and reminders when things feel hard, they can give us that bit of inspiration or push just when we need it the most.
It really is! When I was a teenager I kept a journal full of quotes to return to when I needed them. Maybe I should start that up again!
That's a fab idea, could be a nice little creative project too, like an art journal!
Ah yes! You're so right!
I LOVE that! Don't be a guru, be a contributor. 💖💖💖 Thanks for sharing that!
Such good advice!!
It really takes the pressure off doesn't it, just knowing that.
Oh, what a brilliant saying. I love that
This really speaks to me. Just get work out there. It doesn’t have to be perfect. I think that may be my problem. Holding my cards too close. And re the importance of connecting with someone to be able to learn from them. How many college professors and thinkers are number one in their field, but maybe not the best at connecting with others and impacting knowledge. There’s definitely a sad disconnect there.
You make such great points, Britta. Is it worth holding your cards so close that you miss out on connections and ways to make an impact? I definitely know I have in the past!
And you're so right about college professors too. I'm sure there are incredible ones out there but I think what you stated is a sad reality for a lot of them.
That is a good point! I need to just release music, damnit! It’s going to happen soon!
Love that you took the struggle and made it into your art!!! There is a lot to be learned by simply showing our humanness I think. That’s what inspires me anyway! Xx
Thank you Lauren! I think you're right, and how wonderful it feels to be seen, even when it's imperfectly.
Thanks for this post, I can totally relate to it. I am new to substack and new to writing. I feel the need to put pen to paper and share my thoughts but have no expertise in anything. Worrying that people will think "who the f*&^ does he think he is writing about that" :) Great post, thank you.
Congrats on your new adventure, Richard! I don't think you'll find any of those kinds of people in this space, Substack is such a great community and super supportive. I'm sure you have so much knowledge and insight to share, and so many people who need to hear it!
Thank you for this. I feel it will be such a true reflection for many. Thank you for being two steps ahead in sharing these vulnerabilities, in turn helping me take two more steps forward. You may not have been aiming for profound and impactful, but you hit the mark anyway in my eyes.
Thank YOU for this. It means so much to me that what I wrote resonates with you. I so appreciate you!
It makes so much sense. I struggle with perfectionism and the fear of judgement. Being two steps ahead means I can genuinely support those that want my creative work. I often work it out as I write and can often feel like I’m ‘winging’ it but actually, it’s simply energy at the right time x
Exactly!! The right energy at the right time, I love that! I feel like I'm winging it too a lot of times, but I guess that's just the magic of life.
"They are the ones that I can relate to, that know just enough about what I want to learn but are still on the journey with me." Yes, this exactly! We're all in it together. That's what I'm most interested in. 🩷
I feel the same! It's more interesting to be on the journey than watching the journey after it's already unfolded.
This is wonderful, Hunter! Doesn’t this just take a whole heap of pressure off?! To not be perfect or an expert, ah that feels so incredibly freeing, thank you so much for sharing! 🤍
You're so right, Sophie! It feels like taking a nice deep breath!
Drawing... I was so nervous giving you your picture on holiday... I felt as if I was being somehow vain by thinking I oilfield be good enough to draw something good enough to gift... but then I thought of the kids and when they were little.. they would draw me a picture and gift it to me not to get praise but through love ... it didn’t matter if it wasn’t a Picasso... although some noses were definitely in the wrong place... they just wanted to give me love in the form of a picture... I have had issues with self confidence for a long time especially with my art.. so to me it took courage to hand you that picture... whether it be art or writing or baking it is always better if created from the heart xxxx
Aw, thank you so much for sharing this, Jenny. The picture is beautiful and we love that it's in our home for Maverick and I to enjoy. You captured us perfectly!! We love you so much. And you should always share your art, it's beautiful!
Yes, to it all Hunter. I believe we are all healers in our own way and doing our best is enough. Our actions, our words send out ripples into the ether and we will probably never know just how many souls we have showered a little light on. So often our feelings of inadequacy are not for the reasons we think they are. A beautiful post x
This is so beautiful, Tracey. Thank you. And you're absolutely right. I love how you describe it as showering a little light on, what a magical way to put it.
🙏
There’s no bad art, everything’s beautiful in its own way since it’s unique and made by a human being ✨
You're right!! Creativity is such an incredible part of being human, too.
Reminding us to just be who you are! Some will relate and I do! Thanks!
Thank you so much, I'm really glad you related to it!
What a marvellous reframe, as a recovering perfectionist, its a timely reminder. I'm just in the process of relaunching my Substack and I've had to remind myself constantly that it doesn't *all* have to be in place before I share it with the world. Now, after reading this, I can say to myself "I only need to be two steps ahead" not finished, not perfect. Thank you.
So glad this resonated with you, Debs! And yes!! Just two steps ahead. I'm so excited for you to be back in the Substack world, and can't wait to see all you have to share!
Hey Hunter! I saw we have just connected on Instagram and I am so glad to have now found you on Substack as well 🎉 I absolutely loved this article. Even though I know deep in my bones, "it doesn't need to be perfect," I feel over time when we get caught up in the hustle of life, it is easy to forget, or at least, it isn't at the forefront of your mind. So, reading this post was the perfect reminder once again, to just DO THE THING.
Hi Jesse! I'm so glad we've connected too! I found you when Emma shared your page and loved that you are on Substack as well!
Ah yes, I feel that same way! I know in my heart and yet sometimes my logical mind gets me all caught up in the going, going, going perfectionism mindset. So grateful this resonated with you!!
Aww yay, small words! She is just the best isn't she?
Totally hearing you and 10000% agreee!!
Really enjoyed this read 🤎 thank you lovely. I'm very much the same - sharing my experience as I am experiencing. So much gold in that.
So grateful you enjoyed reading. Thank you for your sweet comment, and you're right, there is so much gold to be found in truly living and sharing that lived experience!