Introduction: Facing the Fear of Starting Something New

Starting something new is always daunting. Fear tends to creep in, whether it's learning a new skill, embarking on a career change, or—like many of us here—deciding to upload that first YouTube video. You might be asking yourself:

• "What if people judge me?"
• "What if I’m just not good enough?"

These questions can paralyze even the most creative souls. I will be the first to confess—it paralyzed me for quite a few months. I knew it was fear, yet it was still tough at various times to rein it in effectively and get past it.

But here's the truth: You’re not alone. Every successful YouTuber, regardless of their subscriber count today, once stood exactly where I was—on the brink of something new, with fear and doubt as constant companions. I realized that the hardest part of the journey wasn’t learning how to edit, finding the perfect thumbnail, or optimizing a video for search engines. The hardest part was just starting.

Overcoming fear is the first step to success.

"Fear is just a sign that you’re on the verge of something new, something that could change your life."

In this article, I’m going to share both the technical and emotional aspects that I had to overcome to create my first video. I’ll describe how I faced my fear, let go of perfectionism, and finally took that first bold step toward putting myself out there.

My first video wasn’t perfect, but I made it. And that was the most important step.

The Motivation Behind Creating Content

Tackling Personal Fears: The Real Reason I Started

The reason I wanted to make content in the first place is connected to a personal project I started a long time ago. I decided to identify my most vexing fears and tackle them one by one. There was one fear that was more annoying than anything and another that was limiting. I decided to start with the annoying one first: my fear of heights.

Overcoming the Fear of Heights

I used to enjoy going to Canada's Wonderland when I was younger. It's the biggest amusement park in Canada, and when I lived in Toronto, it was easy to skip school, hop on a bus, and slide up to Wonderland for the day. Despite being terrified of heights, I loved going, which perplexed me a bit. I would never go in the front car since that was madness. I also closed my eyes and disappeared into my mind when the scariest sections came up.

It wasn't a busy day, so I went on all the rides I could, and the scarier, the better. I experienced a new park that day and made it a point to do the same on every subsequent visit. Each time, I am terrified. I am frightened as soon as I hear the "click click" of the cars leaving the platform. I am terrified the most at the first drop and usually start questioning the judgment that led me to climb into this thing in the first place.

I never stopped being afraid. However, over time, I felt more and more courage when facing the fear. I think that is one of the keys. Nothing starts before taking the first plunge so that your mind can start to reassess the actual danger you face and allow you to tap into that well of courage more easily.

Overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking

I have never wanted to be the center of attention. It becomes very uncomfortable for me when the spotlight is on. I would rather be behind the scenes, unseen, and remain anonymous.

I am indeed an introvert. I used to think that meant there was no way I would ever do anything in front of a camera. The misconception that introverts are necessarily afraid of public speaking stems from misunderstanding what introversion truly means. Public speaking coach Catherine Syme of fear-less clarifies:

"Only a small percentage of my clients are extreme introverts. And some are extroverts. They love to talk—until they have to get up in front of an audience! Chatty, bubbly people can become hugely self-conscious as soon as they have our full attention!"
— Catherine Syme, Public Speaking Coach

The statistics are staggering: according to Zipdo, "75% of people suffer from glossophobia or fear of public speaking."

The Evolutionary Roots of Public Speaking Fear

This fear may have evolutionary roots that provided certain advantages to our ancestors. It stems from the importance of social acceptance for survival.

• Group Survival: In prehistoric times, being part of a group was critical for survival. Our ancestors relied on their tribes for protection from predators, the successful hunting of large prey, and overall safety. Being ostracized or rejected by the group could lead to almost certain death.

• Social Judgment: Public speaking puts an individual in a vulnerable position, making them the center of attention and subject to judgment from others. This situation may have triggered our ancestors' fear response, as negative evaluations from the group could potentially lead to rejection.

• Adaptive Response: From an evolutionary psychology perspective, the fear of public speaking can be seen as an adaptive response.

  • Heightened Alertness: The fear response increases adrenaline and cortisol levels, preparing the body for potential threats.
  • Caution in Social Situations: This fear may have encouraged individuals to be more careful about what they said in group settings, reducing the risk of offending others or challenging group leaders.
  • Preservation of Social Status: By making individuals more cautious in public speaking situations, this fear may have helped preserve social status and group acceptance.

Conclusion: Taking the First Step

Overcoming fear—whether it’s uploading your first YouTube video, facing a phobia, or speaking publicly—starts with taking the first step. It’s never easy, but the journey is worth it. Remember, the hardest part is just starting.

What’s your first step? Share your experiences in the comments below or link to your first YouTube video. Let's support each other on this journey of overcoming fears and growing together.