Starting Is the Hardest Part (and That’s Okay)

I think we sometimes underestimate just how hard it is to start something.

Whether it’s launching a product, building a website, showing up on social media, or finally hitting “publish” on a blog post like this one - the very first step can feel enormous. Like dragging a stubborn boulder uphill in the rain, with a toddler balanced on your hip and 35 tabs open in your brain.

The Myth of Motivation

There’s this idea floating around that if you really want something, you’ll find the motivation to do it. But what I’ve learned is… motivation is flaky. It shows up after you start, not before. You have to go first.

And that’s the trickiest part — because starting feels so vulnerable. It means investing time, money, energy and hope into something that doesn’t exist yet. It means taking a risk without a guarantee. And it often means putting things out into the world before they’re perfect (which still makes me twitchy, by the way).

Gaining Momentum Feels Like Magic (Eventually)

But here’s the bit no one tells you: momentum is earned.

You don’t get it at the beginning. It comes slowly — one tiny action at a time. One listing. One social post. One sale (if you’re lucky). One encouraging message from someone who gets it. One long night where you finally figure out how to do that one annoying thing.

And then… the snowball starts to roll.

Not fast. Not dramatically. But enough that it starts to feel real.

The Investment No One Sees

People often see small businesses online and think: “That looks fun! I could do that too!” (And yes, you absolutely can.) But what you don’t always see is the investment behind the scenes - not just financially, but emotionally and logistically. The time spent making mistakes, the supplies, the software, the postage, the £4.87 you made on Etsy that took three hours to create and list!!

It all adds up. And it’s scary, especially when the return isn’t instant. But sometimes, the best investment is just giving your ideas a proper chance to grow.

Patience… and a Lot of Bravery

If I’m honest, I’m still not brave enough to show up on TikTok or Instagram with me in it. Not my face, not even my voice on a voiceover. The idea makes me want to run and hide.

And yet… here I am quietly building. Learning out loud. Finding small, consistent ways to put myself and my work out there - even when it feels awkward or scary.

Because that’s the truth of it: you don’t have to do it all at once. You just have to start where you are, with what you’ve got.

Keep Going (Even If It’s Slow)

If you’re in the early stages of something — or circling the edge, wanting to start but too scared to leap — please know this: it’s normal for it to feel sticky, slow, and uphill.

You’re not behind.
You’re not doing it wrong.
You’re just in the part that no one shows.

Keep going. Keep nudging the boulder. Trust that your tiny actions will stack up, even if it takes a while to see the results.

Tufty Studios didn’t start with confidence or strategy or perfect branding. It started with an idea and a stubborn need to make things. And here I am — still growing, still figuring it out, still showing up.

You’re allowed to go slow.
You’re allowed to start small. 

You just have to begin.

Rosie x