Because “What If” Hurts More Than “I Tried”
Sometimes being inspired by your creativity can be invigorating, and sometimes when we let doubt derail us it can be depressing.
Picture this: you’re sitting with an idea in your head for months now: a book, a screenplay, a song, a video game, or even a clothing line. You think about it everyday. It’s vivid, it’s thrilling, and you can almost see the finished product. What if you went for it? What would that feel like?
But just as you get into that image, doubt begins to creep in: “What if it doesn’t turn out how I imagine? What if I fail?”
Here’s the thing: SO WHAT if you fail? And what is failure anyway? So what if it doesn’t go how you planned? At least for a while, you’ll be riding the exhilarating wave of creation, the magical high of being alive and DOING something you really enjoy. You’ll be pouring your energy into something uniquely yours.
And if it doesn’t work out, you’ll still have the experience, the lessons, and the satisfaction of saying, “I tried.”
But if you never start, that idea just lingers in your mind, as a gnawing “what could have been,” whisper tugging at your soul indefinitely. And honestly, isn’t that scarier than trying and failing? Isn’t it worse to wonder?
Let’s dive into why taking a chance on your creativity matters and how you can get started today, even if you don’t have formal training or a big budget.
You Don’t Need Permission for Creativity
The greatest creatives and trailblazers of our time had no formal training or credentials when they started. They simply followed their ideas and let passion lead the way:
• Quentin Tarantino worked in a video store before becoming one of the most celebrated filmmakers in the world. He didn’t attend film school—he watched movies, dissected them, and wrote scripts.
• Vera Wang didn’t design her first dress until she was 40. Before that, she was a figure skater and journalist. She didn’t let her lack of a fashion design background stop her from becoming a global icon.
• Kurt Cobain of Nirvana wasn’t a trained musician. He taught himself guitar and poured raw emotion into his music, reshaping rock forever.
What these creators had in common was a willingness to try, to make mistakes, and to keep going. They didn’t wait for perfect conditions, credentials, or external validation to tell them it was okay. They just started and did what they loved.
The Joy of Trying (Even If It’s Not Perfect)
Let’s say you want to write a book. Maybe it ends up as a messy first draft. So what? You’ve still created characters and worlds that didn’t exist before. If you want to design clothes, even if the fit isn’t perfect at first, you’ve expressed your style and brought your vision to life. Thinking about making music or a video game? Your first project might not break records, but it’s the foundation of your creative journey. And if you really love it, you’ll only want to do it more and more
The simple act of creating something – of bringing your idea(s) to life – energizes you in a way that nothing else can. And you know the feeling you get from following your creativity because you’ve had it before and you love when it hits. Even if it doesn’t go as planned, you still have something tangible to show for your efforts. Use that as inspiration, and for the confidence boost you need to keep creating.
Free Tools to Explore Your Creativity
You don’t need expensive tools or a fancy setup to begin. Here are some freebies online that you can start with today!
Writing:
- Reedsy: Free book-writing templates and tools for authors.
- Manuskript: Open-source writing software for novels and screenplays.
Animation & Video Editing:
- Blender: Industry-grade, free 3D animation and modeling software.
- DaVinci Resolve: Professional-grade video editing software with a free version.
Music Production
- Audacity: A free, user-friendly audio editing and recording tool.
- BandLab: A free digital audio workstation (DAW) for making music online.
Game Design
- Unity Personal: A free version of Unity’s game development engine.
- Godot: An open-source game engine perfect for beginners.
The Worst-Case Scenario Isn’t That Bad
Let’s be honest: what’s the worst that could happen? Maybe your screenplay doesn’t get picked up, or your first video game has bugs. But guess what? You’ll learn. You’ll grow. And you’ll have something you didn’t have before—proof that you’re capable of creating.
The real tragedy would be letting fear stop you from even trying. Because if you don’t create, that “what if” feeling will haunt you forever. And wouldn’t you rather face rejection than regret?
Believe In Your Own Joy!
Taking a chance on your creativity is one of the bravest and most fulfilling things you can do. It’s not about perfection—it’s about the joy, growth, and energy that come from making something uniquely yours. So go ahead: sketch that design, draft that book, record that song, or build that game. Let your passion guide you, and remember, even if it doesn’t go as planned, at least you tried. And for a while,
You don't need more ideas. You need a plan.
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