Ep 017: The Beauty of Beginning
Somewhere along the way, many of us decided that being a beginner was awkward. Vulnerable. Embarrassing.
But what if it’s actually brave?
In today’s episode of the Kelsi Bailey Photography Podcast, I’m leaning into the beauty of beginning—and sharing what starting this podcast has taught me about confidence, progress, self-trust, and motherhood.
As an Enneagram 5, I’m no stranger to learning new things quietly behind the scenes. I love researching, reverse-engineering, and mastering skills before ever sharing them publicly. But this podcast was different. Starting it meant beginning out loud, before I felt ready, before I felt confident, and without knowing how it would be received.
And it turns out? Beginning changed me.
In this episode, we talk about:
- Why confidence doesn’t come before action—it comes after
- How progress will always beat perfection (especially as adults)
- Why waiting to feel “ready enough” often keeps us stuck
- What starting something publicly taught me about trusting myself
- How being a beginner again has made me a more patient, empathetic mother
- Why our kids are often braver than we are—and what we can learn from them
- How beginning imperfectly can actually be a gift
A gentle reminder for you
If there’s something you’ve been thinking about starting—a creative project, a business idea, a new habit, or even a hobby—you don’t need to have it all figured out. You don’t need confidence first. You don’t need perfection.
You just need permission.
Consider this your permission slip to begin.
Mentioned in this episode:
- Monthly Mini Sessions for 2026
Each month, I’m offering a limited number of thoughtfully styled mini sessions—including headshots, motherhood, and heirloom sessions. Email subscribers receive priority booking and early access.
Subscribe at kelsibailey.com and tap “Let’s Be Pen Pals” to stay in the loop.
Listen & Subscribe
If you enjoyed this episode, I’d be so grateful if you’d leave a review, subscribe to the show, or share this episode with a friend who might need a little encouragement to begin.
Thank you for letting me zip into your earbuds today. I’ll meet you right back here in the next episode of the Kelsey Bailey Photography Podcast.
