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I've started making art. Some pastel, some watercolor, some pen and ink. It's bad or it's stuff that shows that I'm a beginner and compared to everyone who shows their art online it's bad.

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Keep going Rhys! One thing that helped me is that I archived the work I made and in like 5 months to a year I’d go back and look at what I sue to make and compare it with what I’m making now. If you’re consistent you’ll see a change!

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I started my Instagram journey two months ago with a simple idea in mind: ‘make something bad and doing something small with Reels.’

From one video to another, I learned something new and improved how I shot, script, gears, learned cinematic angles, etc.

Until I felt like I had this fear and doubt about what to launch next because I kept raising the bar higher than I could maintain. I have a full-time job, two kids, and a lot of unpredictable situations with work and family.

So here I am, pausing my journey–thinking about how my experiment with videos could work around my life.

I’ve learned it’s not just about experimenting with what you will produce but also with your operating system–how you will integrate the system into your life.

If you’d like to say hi to me on Instagram 😆

https://www.instagram.com/the.buddyman

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Thats amazing! I checked out your video! love what you're creating. It's authentic and I can see you're putting in time to get the angles and shots! Keep it up man.

Great advice on integrating the system into your life. That's something I know I'll have to work on when I start doing youtube.

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Thank you, Temi. That’s very kind of you! You too, looking forward to what you will be cooking on your YouTube. And all the best for the prep of the baby boy. Exciting times!

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Thank you so much thomas!!

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I can relate to that. I have often avoided starting projects or abandoned others because I didn't believe I could ever be good enough. Reminds me of Churchill's "Perfection is the enemy of progress."

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Wow, awesome content! I just discovered you lol!! Congrats on your new baby. <3

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This piece of advice is what unlocked me when I was younger and is subsequently why I’m here now. And with every new start, I still have to remind myself of it. Look at every successful artist’s early work and you’ll see a lot of bad stuff. It’s what the journey is.

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So true! Thanks for sharing and reading, Zach! We all need that reminder that it’s ok to start out bad. It’s only up from there if we’re consistent!

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This was very relatable Temi but also surprising to read that someone at your caliber has fear of being bad at something new. It's great to see that you're taking the advise of your friend and starting small and allowing something great to manifest over time. Wishing you all the best for your son's arrival!! Life is gonna get very real for you soon and hope you can still carve out time for this journey with YouTube 💛

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Nkem! Thanks so much for reading!

Honestly that’s why I created this newsletter. People assume because of all my accolades I’m exempt from feeling fear or anxiety but it’s the opposite. It almost get’s worse the better you get at other things cause when you have to try something new you almost wonder if you’re wasting your time and if you should go back to what you’re good at.

Last year I started making physical products (jackets, Basketball, hats etc) and it took almost 3 years to just put something out cause I kept 2nd guessing myself. Now people are asking me when my next drop will be. I’m still learning and growing but it’s been exciting to learn something new. I want to take this same approach to youtube as well. Approach it like a kid! and just have fun.

I’m excited for my son to arrive! I know life will change and i’m excited for my new normal.

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It's true—literally all good art starts from bad art. In fact, what makes art good isn't when it comes out as perfect on the first try, but it's that effort and care the artist places into it to polish and edit!

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100% agree with you!!

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Very relatable. I've been in that situation where you wait for perfection before making something. Over time you realize that the process of creating is where your growth happens. Mistakes and all.

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YES! I’ve lost years cause I’ve been waiting for perfection and now I’m realizing the best time to start is now. And it’s better to make the mistakes now and learn.

I think of it like when a kid wants to draw. They don’t think too much, they just do. I want to approach art and my creative endeavors like that. fearless and reminding myself “mistakes are welcome here”

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Very well said. Couldn't agree more!

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So exciting to follow your youtube adventure! Thank you also for sharing your honest thoughts.

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Thanks for reading Martha! I have my first video script almost done so I’ll be posting on september !

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Marta** sorry auto correct 😅

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Its okay dont worry!!!

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Yuhu!!! 🙌

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I just started my channel and it's all about making bad art :) I believe in you. You clearly have the fundamental understanding of embracing the process down in order to continue design work and writing in this blog. That part of you trying to figure it all out on the first video is the part of you that will bring your channel to an elevated level of taste above the rest. When one part of you generally has too much control, however, it can be really difficult to embrace the part of you that loves learning new things, loves new challenges and desires that self sustainability away from corporate capture. Embrace being new and the fears associated with it, and perfectionism will work for you rather than against you. Thanks for sharing and allowing me to relate as always Temi <3

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Thanks so much for this! A month later I’m just seeing this and it resonates even more now. THANK YOU! What’s your Channel id love to take a look

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Thank you for your vulnerability in sharing this with strangers on the internet and thank you to Joe for the awesome reminders for both you and me (us). Make bad art. Be brave. Something we like to say is: "an idea is only a failure if I never take action to bring it to life"

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So true!

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“It's about granting myself the permission to experiment, learn, and evolve without the overwhelming pressure of perfection.”

this has been a theme to my creative journey this year, especially as i’ve also relaunched my youtube. i listened to a sermon recently that helped me begin to break down the walls of perfectionism that i’ve been attached to for so long. allowing myself to create “bad art” has been so liberating, especially with youtube shorts! a video i was ready to re-record after i’d finished editing it (in order to get better framing) ended up being my highest performing short/video overall.

i’m excited to see all you’ll share on your channel! and congratulations to your family! praying for a safe delivery 🫶🏿

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