9-minute read

Trying new things sounds fun until you're standing in the craft store aisle staring at 42 types of sketchbooks and wondering if you're actually a creative genius or just a Pinterest victim.

Whether it’s picking up a hobby, launching a side project, or joining a group class, the idea of beginning can feel... paralyzing. Especially when fear of failure, perfectionism, or even just being "seen trying" kicks in.

This blog is your friendly nudge to start anyway. We’ll unpack why the fear of failing is so loud, how to work with it, and how trying new things can become a joyful, confidence-boosting part of your life, not just another thing you freeze up over.

Why Trying Something New Actually Matters

Sometimes we stick with the same hobbies, routines, or creative outlets long after they’ve stopped feeling exciting. Maybe you once loved watercoloring, or baking, or knitting—but now it feels... blah. Like you're just going through the motions. Sound familiar?

Trying something new isn’t about abandoning what used to bring you joy—it’s about giving yourself permission to evolve. To get out of the slump. To shake off the creative (or emotional) burnout.

New things wake up your brain. They nudge you out of autopilot and spark curiosity. They remind you that you’re more than one version of yourself.

Trying something new can:

• Pull you out of a burnout fog
• Reignite creative energy
• Help you reconnect with parts of yourself that got buried under routine

And honestly? It just makes life feel more alive again.

Why We Fear New Experiences

Let’s get one thing out of the way: you’re not weird for feeling terrified to start something new. You’re human. And if you're neurodivergent, shy, or recovering from perfectionism? Multiply that anxiety by ten.

• Fear of Failure: Somewhere along the way, we were taught that messing up is shameful. It’s not.

• The "What Will People Think" Trap: Trying something new often means being visible—and vulnerable. Which, yeah, isn’t easy.

• All-Or-Nothing Thinking: If you can’t do it perfectly, should you even start?

The real kicker? Most of us assume we need confidence before we begin. In reality, confidence is what shows up after you start. Not before.

Let It Be Messy: From Pressure to Play

Trying something new doesn’t have to feel like a performance. And yet, so many of us hesitate because we’re afraid of looking awkward, or not being good fast enough.
But what if we stopped treating every new beginning like a test, and started seeing it as an experiment?

What if being messy wasn’t something to hide, but proof that you’re in motion? That you learning? That you living?

Letting it be messy — letting it be just for you — can be the most freeing thing you do. Not every try has to lead to a skill, a job, or a side hustle.

Some things can just exist to bring you joy.

Start before you feel ready. Start for the fun of it. Start because starting makes life feel a little more alive.

Build Confidence One Tiny Try at a Time

You don’t need to be fearless. You need to be willing. Here’s how to build confidence while trying new things—not before.

1. Micro-Brave Moves: Don’t start with the scariest thing. Pick something small. A 10-minute YouTube tutorial. One dance class. One sentence.
2. Start curious, not perfect: Curiosity counts more than credentials.
3. Use Affirmations for Self-Talk Rewrites: You’re not bad at this. You’re just new.
4. Expect to cringe: Cringing means you’re evolving.
5. Celebrate Attempts, Not Results: Did you show up? That’s the win. The result is extra.

Confidence comes from evidence. Every time you try, you gather proof that you're braver than your doubts.

Final Thought: Start Before You’re Ready

Trying something new can feel like standing at the edge of a cliff... that turns out to be a sidewalk. Not every leap is dangerous. Some are just different. And different is where the good stuff grows.

You don’t need to wait until you feel fearless. You just need to start. Try messy. Try awkward. Try curious.

Your confidence is waiting on the other side of that first tiny attempt.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychological, or professional advice. If you’re struggling with mental health, consult a licensed professional.