Growth is never easy. Think back to those growing pains in your shins as a kid — real growth hurts. There’s no magic movie montage button. Growth isn’t overnight; it’s the result of countless small, conscientious decisions that nudge you toward a clearer, stronger version of yourself.

When I started crocheting, I knew it would be tough. I’ve never underestimated the time and dedication mastery demands. But I was optimistic. I wanted to take another swing at being good at something. And like they say — you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.

Ten bucks for a crochet hook and some yarn seemed like a cheap investment to see if this would stick. And I was right. The tip from my very first commission covered that cost, and since then, it’s become more than just a hobby. It’s a challenge. It’s uncomfortable. And honestly? That’s the point.

The unknown of a new project can be thrilling — or intimidating. Me? I tend to land on the anxious, overthinking side of the spectrum. It’s a character trait I’ve been wrestling with for years. But the only real solution is to keep moving. Even if it’s crawling. Even if some days I only manage to string a couple of chains together.

I work on consistency. Not perfection — consistency. When I miss a day, I pick it up the next. Because even if the path isn’t always clear, the goal stays the same: make cool shit people actually want to buy. And the only way to get there is to keep making, keep showing up, and let the reps pile up.

Life, of course, doesn’t wait for us to be ready. It’ll slap you upside the head while you’re staring at your phone or daydreaming about your next big idea. And the hard truth? Nobody starts perfect. Most people aren’t even close to ready when they begin.

The trick is to start anyway. Build systems that catch you when you fall. Set reminders, adjust your environment, pick your fallback habits carefully. Because long-term success isn’t about perfection — it’s about having the resilience to keep coming back.

I’m a naturally lazy person. I’m working on changing that, one stubborn day at a time, as I build my work skills and confidence outside of it. And I’ve realized the way you do that isn’t by brute force. It’s by redefining your identity.

Once you start seeing yourself as someone capable of discipline and follow-through, the actions follow. Confidence follows. And the beautiful, frustrating thing about this whole process is that it’s not linear. Some days you’ll grow 10%. Some days it’s 0.1%.

But over time — consistently — you’ll average out to that mythical 1% better every day. And eventually, you’ll realize you’ve become the person you were chasing all along.