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Writer's pictureLoopla

Overcoming the Fear of Starting Something New

Updated: Nov 19

As part of a Brisbane Surface Designers’ end of year meetup, we do an art supply Secret Santa. In 2022, I received a couple of Posca pens. A gift that sparked an idea to step away from my usual digital workspace and create something with pen and paper. I generally always work digitally, but this felt like an opportunity to explore something new.


Inspired by the gift, I bought a Moleskin sketchbook, and packed them in my bags for a two-week holiday. I fully intended to draw every day and not even take my laptop on holiday with me. But guess what? The sketchbook and markers came back from the holiday untouched. I felt like I was waiting for the right moment. The perfect idea to justify starting this new creative process.


Posca Pens and Moleskin Notebook of Surface Designer Tammy de Zilva
My Posca Pen Collection has since grown from those initial 2 pens I was gifted.


That "right moment" ended up being a year and a half later.


Looking back, I realise the fear wasn’t just about trying something new. It was about the uncertainty. What if it didn’t turn out well? What if the first few pages were a mess? These questions paralysed me for so long. But the truth is, I should have asked myself a different question: What’s the worst that could happen by starting?


In reality, there was nothing to lose. If the art didn’t turn out well, I could learn from it and move on. But the hesitation and procrastination meant I missed out on valuable time I could have spent exploring, growing, and enjoying the process. Once I finally started, I couldn’t believe I had waited so long.


Each page is an improvement, and many of those early ideas have since turned into patterns I'm now proud of, one of which was recently licensed to a company. The lesson I learned? Starting something new is always daunting, but the fear is almost always bigger than the reality. You don’t have to wait for the right moment because it may never come. Sometimes, you just need to ask yourself, "What’s the worst that could happen?" and take the plunge anyway.


 A notebook featuring a colourful design in a retro colour palette by Tammy de Zilva of Loopla
One of my favourite doodles

If you’ve been hesitating to start something new, whether it’s a sketchbook, a project, or even trying a new skill, let this be your nudge. You might not feel ready, but you don’t have to be. Just start, and you’ll figure the rest out along the way.


Feeling stuck on a creative project or unsure of your next steps? I offer a range of mentoring options, from one on one sessions to group programs, designed to help you overcome the fear of starting and other roadblocks while building momentum. Whether you're looking for accountability, portfolio reviews, or creative guidance, there's a program to suit your needs. Check out my mentoring offerings here!


If you're interested in learning more about my wonderful community of creatives, you can also check out the Brisbane Surface Designers group for in person meetups, or Colourful Connections for an Australia wide virtual meetup.

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