123 | New Beginnings & The Unknown

Hello beautiful humans,

I just released the song “We Can Begin Again”, so naturally, I’m thinking a lot about beginnings. I’m also living into a lot of beginnings, so my life is a landscape of firsthand learning.

Beginnings are often exciting because we feel the potential of what could be. There is freshness and a sense of newness.

We begin again because we realize we need to make changes in our life, but as we set out on a new path, there is a reality that finds us fairly quickly; we have no idea what we’re doing.

And how could we? After all, we are beginners! We’ve never done this before or been here before.

There’s some element of not knowing that is in the very nature of beginning.

As I was walking this morning, these thoughts were walking in my mind, specifically related to the topic of making YouTube videos. Then, a very simple invitation occurred to me.

Why not embrace being a beginner?

Okay, but how?

Four things came to mind:

1. Let go of what other people think and remember WHY you’re doing something.

2. Accept the discomfort of not knowing.

3. Take stock of the resources and skills you have.

4. Commit to enjoying the process and have fun learning.

1. Let go of what people think and remember WHY you’re doing something.

So often, we are afraid people will judge us for not knowing how to do something or not being at a certain level of knowledge or ability, but it's completely unfounded because you’re a beginner!

In the example of making YouTube videos, I’ve never done it before, so why am I even concerning myself with what someone thinks of my videos? And this goes even further in remembering WHY you’re doing something.

I’m making videos to get better at talking about what I’m learning.

Let’s say I make videos for a year, and someone comments that they suck. Maybe they do, maybe they don’t, but am I trying? Am I learning? Do I enjoy making them? Then it doesn’t matter what anyone thinks of them, because ultimately, I know why I’m doing it.

2. Accept the discomfort of not knowing.

Not knowing how to do something, or how to navigate a new season of life is uncomfortable. Instead of resisting it, just accept it’s part of being a beginner and starting something new.

Then, it won’t surprise you, and you can connect with the truth that you’re not doing anything wrong when it feels uncomfortable.

Being uncomfortable is part of the process. If anything, it actually lets you know you’re on the right track.

3. Take stock of the resources and skills you have.

You may not know exactly how to do this new thing or live this new way, but you do know some things simply by having lived life. You’ve picked up skills along the way and met people who might be able to help you.

There’s also this wild thing called the internet that has endless resources for you to learn.

So don’t focus on what you don’t have or don’t know. Take stock of what you do have and what you do know.

4. Commit to enjoying the process and have fun learning.

From the beginning, make a choice to enjoy the ride. Will there be rough patches along the path? Absolutely, but relish in the joy of being out there going for it.

You can let the process bum you out or energize you. It’s largely a matter of perspective and mindset, and remember, that also takes time to make stronger.

It’s the difference between trying, learning something, and getting down on yourself that you didn’t know what you didn’t know vs the excitement of discovery and going, “Wow! I didn’t know that! I’m going to use that next time!”

So here’s to all the beginnings we are embarking on and will embark on over and over throughout our lives.

We got this,
Shel

P.S. My new song "We Can Begin Again" is meant to be a calm place to land as you navigate change in life. I've also released an "In Conversation" track that talks a little bit about the song. Click below to have a listen!