Embarrassment is the cost of entry
Embarrassment is Necessary
In a previous blog about cheat codes to leverage in 2025, we talked about how every dream has a cost of entry. For aspiring content creators, that cost isn’t just investing in equipment or learning new skills - it’s emotional currency. Specifically, it’s upfront embarrassment.
Nothing tests your resolve quite like posting your first TikTok while knowing your college friends might see it.
Or sharing your thoughts on LinkedIn when your former colleagues could stumble upon them.
Or starting a YouTube channel when your family might question your life choices.
Every successful creator you admire started with content they probably cringe at now.
Those polished influencers with millions of followers? They have “first posts” buried deep in their feeds that they'd rather forget. The difference is, they posted anyway.
So if you’re still keen on becoming a content creator this 2025, here are some helpful mindset shifts that can push you to show up online (regardless of what your brain’s telling you).
Mindset Shifts to Help You Post Despite the Fear
1. Reframe “Cringe” as “Growth in Progress”
What feels cringey today is actually just you developing your voice. Think of it like any other creative’s portfolio. The first piece of artwork is never their best, but they’re necessary steps toward mastery. And for you, each “embarrassing” post is actually just evidence that you’re brave enough to learn in public.
2. Your Current Circle Isn’t Your Target Audience
The people who you think might judge are most likely NOT the audience you want to create content for in the first place. And that’s okay! Your content is meant to reach people who share your interests, value your perspective, and need what you have to offer. Your high school classmates’ opinions won’t matter when you’re connecting with your true audience.
3. Normalize Starting Small
Stop waiting to be perfect. When I was a beginner, I’ve heard countless experts and influencers say that you’re never really “in the game” yet until you’ve created and published 100 pieces of content MINIMUM. Why? Because chances are, those first 100 posts aren’t going to be that good. But those are the reps required for you to hone multiple content creation skills over time: ideation, scripting, content management, editing, engagement, SEO, etc. So if you’re starting out, give yourself permission to be a beginner. Focus on quantity over quality initially. The quality will come naturally as you find your rhythm and voice.
Actionable Steps to Push Past the Fear
Mindset work is just the first step. To actually improve as a content creator (or any professional for that matter), you have to take action. You have to actually create content then post for the entire world to see. So here are some things you can do as you work on establishing your personal brand online:
Start with a Soft Launch
Create content for 2 weeks without posting
Get comfortable with seeing and hearing yourself
Practice your format until it feels less awkward
Build a Support System
Find other beginning creators
Join supportive online communities
Share your goals with at least one person who gets it
Set Realistic Expectations
Commit to posting consistently for 90 days
Accept that growth will be slow at first
Focus on learning rather than perfection
Create a ‘Hater Strategy’
Decide in advance how you’ll handle negative comments
Prepare responses for well-meaning but discouraging family members
And keep in mind: criticism often means you’re becoming visible enough to notice
The Truth About Getting Started
Just one last note…the reality that you also need to accept as a content creator is that the embarrassment never fully goes away. But you can get to a point where you stop letting it control you. Each time you post despite the fear, you’re not just creating content. You’re building resilience. You’re showing others that it’s okay to start, to be imperfect, to grow publicly.
Remember: your current comfort zone was built by doing things that once made you uncomfortable. Content creation is no different. The cost of entry might be embarrassment, but the reward is finding your voice, building your community, and potentially creating the career of your dreams.
So go ahead.
Post that first video.
Write that first thread.
Start that podcast.
You’ll thank yourself one day for paying the price of entry.
