"You do not have imposter syndrome. You have imposter moments."

Ever felt like a total fish out of water trying something new? This podcast episode dives into the messy, beautiful world of being a beginner, where you might totally embarrass yourself but also experience the pure joy of discovery! Amy & Bernadette get real about their own beginner adventures (trapeze lessons, anyone?) and laugh about how keeping a playful "who cares if I look ridiculous" attitude makes all the difference when you're stumbling through something new. They toss around the juicy idea that "more risk equals more life" – basically, the more you're willing to be a clueless newbie, the bigger and more exciting your life becomes! Between sharing funny stories about garden tours and podcast attempts, they explore when to keep your new passion private (because sometimes other people are total buzzkills) and when to put yourself out there. Bottom line: embracing your inner beginner might feel super vulnerable, but it's absolutely worth it if you want a life filled with rich experiences and not just comfortable sameness.

LISTEN

"If you're a beginner, you're gonna fuck up. You're gonna embarrass yourself. You're gonna feel like a fraud."

  

IN THIS EPISODE

1. Play is the antidote to discomfort: Approaching being a beginner with a playful mindset helps counteract the anxiety and self-consciousness that often accompanies trying something new.

2. Imposter moments, not syndrome: Most people don't have full-blown imposter syndrome but rather experience temporary "imposter moments" that can pass with time and practice.

3. More risk equals more life: Taking risks by trying new things as a beginner directly correlates with having a richer, fuller life experience.

4. First experiences have special value: As we age, we have fewer "firsts" in our lives, making it important to intentionally seek out new experiences.

5. Beginners naturally experience discomfort: Feeling confused, overwhelmed, and uncomfortable is completely normal when you're starting something new.

6. Private practice versus public sharing: There's an important distinction between learning something privately and sharing your beginner efforts publicly.

7. Dreams differ from promises: People often mistake someone's verbal exploration of ideas and dreams for concrete plans or promises.

8. Our brains resist beginnership: The brain naturally gravitates toward familiar activities, making it necessary to consciously push yourself toward new experiences.

9. Perfectionism blocks progress: Waiting until you're "good enough" before sharing your work can prevent you from ever taking the first step.

10. Beginnership doesn't require mastery: You can try something new without committing to becoming an expert—it's perfectly fine to sample experiences.

RESOURCES

• Minneapolis Institute of Art
• Luke Hillestad Painter