If You’re Not Scared, You’re Not Growing

Nerves mean something’s at stake.

Every time I create something new — a newsletter, a post, a product — I feel it. That flutter of doubt. A voice whispering, "Nobody wants to read your shit".

It’s uncomfortable. But it’s also a gift.

Nerves mean you’re in the game. They mean you’re doing something that matters.

The moments I wasn’t nervous? They were forgettable. The stakes were too low, the outcomes didn’t matter.

But nerves? They show up when you’re pushing boundaries. They’re proof you’re growing.

As we get older, we tend to shy away from the things that push us outside of our comfort zones. We play it safe, stay small, and rarely feel exposed.

But that’s not where the magic is.

Nerves are fuel. Channel them. Use them. They’re a sign you’re alive, awake, and willing to care deeply.

If you’re nervous, you’re in the arena. And that’s where the bold go to win.

This atomic essay was inspired by this Ted Mosby quote from the TV show "How I Met Your Mother".

My wife and I have been rewatching the show, and when I heard that line, it really stuck with me:

I hope this inspires you to take a chance, to be bold, and to push yourself outside of your comfort zone.