What I’d Tell Younger Me: Creative Truths I Wish I Knew Sooner

What I’d Tell Younger Me: Creative Truths I Wish I Knew Sooner

I know I’ve still got a lot of life ahead. I don’t even have a credit card yet. Buying a house? Not anytime soon. But I have found some creative rhythm and balance in my work. And if 15-year-old me could see where I am now, she’d be pretty impressed by all this hard-earned wisdom. So here’s to the 15-year-olds, and the ones who still feel like them, who could use a little encouragement.

It might be easy to understand, but it will take time to get it right the first time.

This is a quote from one of my 8-year-old piano students during one of our first lessons. We started to read music on the staff: a challenging skill that needs to be learned early and carefully in order to become fluent. I kept asking questions, running drills, and playing games to guide her and encourage her progress. Then I asked, “Is this making sense? Is it easy-peasy or a little tricky?” Her response stopped me:

“It’s easy to understand, but it will take time to get it right the first time.”

Wow. This little 8-year-old perfectly captured where she was in her learning. She understood the concept, but she also recognized the value of repetition and patience — that the skill would take time to master, even if she got it.

This lesson applies to any skill we try to master. We might know the ideas well. We might be experts with years of experience. We might have the resume, experience, and portfolio. We can confidently say, “Yes, I understand.”

But do we really know it well enough to perform without thinking? To teach others? To make it simpler, better, or faster? To build on our skills so we get it right the first time, every time?

We can. And we should never stop developing those skills. 

There is no such thing as being over prepared, but there is such a thing as being inflexible.

As a member of Gen Z, I find that people my age lean into a  “go with the flow” mindset. We say things like “We’ll see when we get there” or “I’m not going to worry about that yet”. Honestly, I respect that. I like how my generation prioritizes our energy elsewhere rather than stressing over things before it’s necessary. 

Conversely, that mindset spills into areas where structure and planning are essential. Marketing a song release, planning an event, or leading a team require planning beyond “I’ll figure it out when we get there”. If we wait for the “right time”, we are already too late. We may not want to overthink it, but having a strategy makes a real difference. How we prepare, plan, and delegate directly impacts how well we execute.

Personally, I like to have a plan. As an event producer, creative director, and music producer, I try to wrap my head around every task a few weeks in advance. I ask:

What are the objectives?

What could go wrong?

What are the time and budget constraints?

How can I make this easier for myself and others?

Small steps like this don’t have to be stressful, especially when you leave room for flexibility. When you plan with both intention and adaptability, you create a safety net. You’re not only prepared for what you expect to happen, you’re equipped to handle what you didn’t see coming. Have a plan for how to react in a way that is successful, not stressful. 

You don’t need permission to be an expert with what you know right now. 

If I had known this in middle school, I would have had a lot more confidence. We look at our heroes, role models, and mentors with admiration. Here’s their biggest secret: they’re making it up as they go, just like you. 

I released my first single on a whim, and to prove to myself that I could. Was it my best work? Yes — at the time. And that’s okay! Do I cringe at it now and wish that I used better equipment and spent a bit more time in the production stage? Absolutely. But the fact still stands, I did it anyway with what I had. I had the experience to just go for it and try something new. And that makes my expertise special. 

What sets them apart isn’t magic. It isn’t luck. It’s experience and the opportunity to share it with the world. You have that opportunity, too. 

The universe doesn’t hand out "experience". Titles don’t fall from the sky. Nobody becomes “qualified” by accident. 

If you show up, work hard, and invest in yourself, you already are an expert. You deserve to launch that product. Release that song. Share that art. You’ve spent your whole life leading up to this moment.

Take up space. Claim the mic. Make it yours. Be the expert. 

You don’t need permission to run your life. 

Summary

If I could tell 15-year-old me anything, it would be this: mastery takes time, preparation builds confidence, and action creates expertise. Growing your craft takes patience, grit, and a willingness to keep learning. It won’t click on the first try. But when you prepare with intention, you set yourself up to grow. Growth doesn’t require permission. Nobody hands it to you, you give it to yourself. You can start right now and see where your wildest ideas take you. If you’re already putting in the work, you’re already on your way. Take up space. Trust yourself. You’re more capable and more qualified than you think.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give your younger self about creativity or confidence? Share your thoughts below—I’d love to hear your story!