Tag: Creative Confidence

  • How I Crossed the Bridge of Self-Doubt and Insecurity as a Designer (And How You Can Too)

    Hey you,

    I see you. I see the late nights spent overthinking your designs, the hesitation before sharing your ideas, and the voice in your head whispering, “Am I good enough?” I’ve been there. I’ve sat in that exact same spot, staring at my screen, wondering if I even belonged in this field.

    But here’s the thing: I made it through. And if I can do it, so can you. Let me share my story and the lessons I learned along the way. Maybe it’ll help you find your own path across that bridge of self-doubt and insecurity.

    1. I Realized I Wasn’t Alone

    When I first started, I felt like everyone around me had it all figured out. They spoke confidently in meetings, presented their work with ease, and seemed to know exactly what they were doing. Meanwhile, I was second-guessing every decision I made.

    But then I had a conversation with a senior designer I admired. I confessed how lost I felt, and to my surprise, they said, “I still feel that way sometimes.” That was a turning point for me. I realized that self-doubt isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a sign that you care. And caring is the first step to becoming great at what you do.

    2. I Started Small

    I used to think I had to create masterpieces right out of the gate. Spoiler: I didn’t. And neither do you. What helped me was starting small. I focused on one task at a time—whether it was perfecting a button design or improving the hierarchy of a landing page.

    Each small win gave me a little more confidence. Over time, those small wins added up, and I began to trust myself more.

    3. I Learned to Separate Feedback from My Self-Worth

    Early on, I took every piece of feedback as a personal attack. If someone didn’t like my design, I felt like they didn’t like me. It took me a while to realize that feedback isn’t about me—it’s about the work.

    I started asking better questions: “What’s not working here?” or “How can this better serve the user?” Shifting my mindset from “I’m not good enough” to “How can I improve this?” made all the difference.

    4. I Found My People

    One of the hardest parts of being a new designer is feeling like you’re on an island. I rarely spoke up because I was afraid of saying the wrong thing. But then I found a community—online forums, design meetups, and even a few coworkers who became my sounding board.

    Having people who understood what I was going through made me feel less alone. They encouraged me to share my ideas, even when I wasn’t sure they were “good enough.” And you know what? More often than not, they were.

    5. I Embraced the Messy Middle

    I used to think that great designers just magically came up with perfect solutions. But the truth is, design is messy. It’s about experimenting, failing, and trying again.

    I learned to embrace the messy middle. Instead of stressing over getting it right the first time, I focused on iterating and improving. Each iteration taught me something new, and slowly, I began to trust my process.

    6. I Stopped Comparing Myself to Others

    This was a big one for me. I’d scroll through Dribbble or Behance and feel like I’d never measure up. But then I realized something: comparison is a thief of joy. Everyone’s journey is different.

    I started focusing on my own growth instead of someone else’s highlight reel. I celebrated my progress, no matter how small, and reminded myself that I was on my own path.

    7. I Found My Voice

    Speaking up was terrifying at first. I’d rehearse what I wanted to say in my head, only to stay silent when the moment came. But I realized that my ideas mattered—even if they weren’t perfect.

    I started small. I’d ask a question in a meeting or share a thought in a Slack channel. The more I did it, the easier it became. And over time, I found my voice.

    8. I Learned to Be Kind to Myself

    This was the hardest lesson of all. I was my own worst critic, constantly beating myself up for not being “better.” But I realized that growth takes time. I started treating myself with the same kindness I’d show a friend.

    When I made a mistake, I reminded myself that it was part of the process. When I felt insecure, I acknowledged it without judgment. Slowly, I began to believe in myself.

    9. I Realized Confidence Is a Journey, Not a Destination

    Even now, I still have moments of self-doubt. But I’ve learned that confidence isn’t about never feeling insecure—it’s about moving forward anyway. It’s about trusting yourself enough to take the next step, even when you’re not sure where it will lead.

    You’re Stronger Than You Think

    If you’re feeling stuck, unsure, or insecure, know this: you’re not alone. Every designer has been where you are. The fact that you’re here, trying to grow, shows how much you care. And that’s the mark of a great designer.

    Take it one step at a time. Celebrate your wins, learn from your mistakes, and keep going. You’ve got this.

    With love and solidarity,
    Someone who’s been in your shoes 💛

    P.S. If you ever need to talk, I’m here. Sometimes, just knowing someone understands can make all the difference.

  • Gandhi Jayanti: Lessons from Gandhi Ji for Design, Travel, and Creating a Larger Impact

    Gandhi Jayanti: Lessons from Gandhi Ji for Design, Travel, and Creating a Larger Impact

    As we celebrate Gandhi Jayanti, the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi is one that transcends the boundaries of history. He was more than a freedom fighter; he was a thinker, an innovator, and a leader who used simplicity and empathy as his tools to inspire change. While we often speak of his non-violent resistance and leadership, there are valuable lessons we can apply to various fields—especially design, travel, and making a larger impact.

    Design with Purpose: Simplicity and User-Centricity

    At the heart of Gandhi Ji’s approach was simplicity. His iconic image—dressed in a simple dhoti, weaving khadi—was not just a personal statement but a design choice that connected deeply with people. He eliminated the unnecessary, focusing on what was essential.

    In design, we often get lost in aesthetics and trends, but Gandhi Ji’s life reminds us of the power of simplicity. A well-designed product isn’t about making it flashy; it’s about ensuring it serves its purpose efficiently. Gandhi understood his audience—the people of India—and tailored his actions accordingly, much like how designers should always keep the user at the core of their process.

    Lesson: Prioritize empathy and simplicity in design. It’s not about what looks good; it’s about what serves the user’s needs effectively. Good design solves problems and does so in the most intuitive way possible, much like Gandhi’s strategies.

    Travel as a Means to Connect and Understand

    Gandhi Ji was a man of the world—South Africa, England, and, of course, India. Each journey he undertook wasn’t for leisure but for understanding and connecting with people. Whether it was his travels to rural India or his time spent in the cities of Europe, Gandhi used travel as a way to immerse himself in different cultures, perspectives, and experiences. It’s easy to get caught up in seeing travel as a break from work or a momentary escape, but it can be much more.

    As someone who loves travel, I’ve found that it’s not just about visiting new places but understanding the people and systems within them. It broadens your worldview and helps you design solutions that are more holistic. Gandhi’s travels allowed him to gather perspectives from different walks of life, and this understanding enabled him to communicate and connect with millions.

    Lesson: Travel with intention. It’s an opportunity to see the world through new eyes, to understand diverse user needs, and to be inspired by the world around you. Use these experiences to fuel creativity and empathy in your work, much like Gandhi Ji did.

    Impacting the World: Small Steps with Big Results

    Perhaps one of the most significant lessons we can draw from Gandhi Ji is that making a larger impact doesn’t happen overnight. It is the result of consistent, small steps over time. From the Salt March to advocating for non-cooperation, his actions were methodical, strategic, and aimed at long-term change.

    In our world of design and product management, we often aim for massive, disruptive changes, but the truth is that lasting impact comes from thoughtful, incremental improvements. Whether it’s refining a user experience, enhancing accessibility, or working toward sustainability, these small shifts eventually lead to larger societal impacts.

    Lesson: Be patient and persistent in your pursuit of impact. Understand that even the smallest design tweak or project decision can have a ripple effect. Take it step by step, just as Gandhi did, trusting that your efforts will contribute to the larger whole.

    Final Thoughts

    Gandhi Ji’s legacy is not just one of political leadership but of profound empathy, simplicity, and action. As we reflect on his life this Gandhi Jayanti, let’s remember to carry his lessons into our work. Whether we’re designing the next big product, traveling to find inspiration, or striving to make a difference in our communities, we can look to Gandhi Ji’s life for guidance. In a world filled with complexities, sometimes the simplest, most human-centered approach can have the most profound impact.

    Happy Gandhi Jayanti! Let’s take these lessons forward as we continue our journeys—both personal and professional.