Chapter 1: The Journey of Self-Discovery

Two years ago, I embarked on a journey into the world of sketching.

I enrolled in a course and began with basic sketches. Without much thought, I shared them on Instagram. To my astonishment, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. People praised my creativity and expressed admiration for my work. One individual even asked me to design their book cover, while a writer friend sought my help to illustrate a children's book. Additionally, a friend requested a portrait, and my niece wanted a sketch of her dog. I gladly accepted these projects, but then I stopped sketching entirely.

It had been a year and a half since I last picked up my pencil and iPad, as I became convinced that my sketches were subpar. I fixated on my mistakes and felt disheartened that, despite dedicating years to practice, I hadn't seen improvement.

Any artist can empathize with this struggle. When we view someone else's creations, we often see beauty, brilliance, and remarkable innovation. Their ideas seem fresh and inspiring, leaving us wondering how they generate such genius. We think, "I will never reach that standard; my ideas are too mundane. I’ll never be as innovative as they are."

This feeling often washes over me when I read books, write articles, or post on social media. I find myself admiring others' work, which only amplifies my insecurities. Yet, despite these feelings, I continued to write. I shared my stories and perspectives—nothing extravagant, just my everyday thoughts.

One day, a reader commented on one of my articles, saying, "This is fantastic! How did you come up with it? It’s brilliant." Naturally, I brushed it off, explaining why I thought it was nothing special. However, this comment led me to a profound realization:

Everyone tends to underestimate their ideas. Even renowned physicist Richard Feynman felt that what he shared was rather obvious. What seemed evident to him was astonishing to others.

Many successful songwriters have confessed that their biggest hits were songs they initially considered unremarkable. Dolly Parton, for instance, thought her song "Jolene" was simple and nearly silly, yet it became one of her most iconic works.

Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, often grappled with doubts regarding his innovations. While developing the original iPhone, he questioned whether people would find it useful or appealing. Yet, the iPhone transformed the smartphone landscape, becoming a cornerstone of modern technology.

Even Stephen King nearly discarded the manuscript for "Carrie," believing it lacked merit. It was only thanks to his wife, Tabitha, who retrieved it and encouraged him to complete it, that "Carrie" became his first published novel and launched his illustrious career.

All creators, at some point, wrestle with self-doubt. What feels ordinary or obvious to them may indeed be extraordinary and motivating to others.

We're often poor judges of our own creations. Perhaps the best approach is to share our work and allow the world to respond.

Thus, I think it’s time for me to dust off my pencil and iPad, embrace my unique viewpoint, and share my sketches with the world.

What about you? Are you holding back something that feels too mundane to share?

For more insights, check out my writing on Substack.

Chapter 2: Embracing the Ordinary

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