5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting My Creative Journey

They say your path defines your destination — but sometimes, your courage does.

I didn’t come from a design background. In fact, I started in engineering — a world far from colors, layouts, or user journeys. Shifting from that to UI/UX design wasn’t just a career change… it was a leap of faith.

It meant learning everything from scratch. Starting over. Feeling like a beginner again.
But I kept going — because something in me knew this is where I belonged.

This journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s been real. And if you’re standing at the edge of your own creative leap, maybe these five things I’ve learned along the way will help you feel a little less alone.

5 things that will surely help you when you start your journey -

1. You Don’t Need to Be Perfect to Begin

   When I started, I knew nothing about design — not even the basics. Everything felt overwhelming, unfamiliar, and far from perfect. But I chose to begin anyway.

   With time, patience, and a lot of hard work, things slowly started making sense. I’ve realized that no one starts off as an expert. What truly matters is your willingness to learn, adapt, and grow.

   Perfection isn’t the goal — progress is. And sometimes, just starting is the bravest thing you can do.

2. Creative Ruts Are Normal — and Necessary

   I felt stuck when I entered university — everyone seemed more experienced than me. It was intimidating at first, but that phase taught me to slow down, adapt, and keep learning. Sometimes, being stuck is just the beginning of growing in a new direction.

3. Consistency Beats Sudden Motivation

   In the beginning, I was full of motivation but like most things, it faded.

   Consistency didn’t come naturally to me at first. But with time, I realized that showing up matters more than feeling inspired. I became more mindful of my actions, picked up from where I left off, and started again. Assignments helped me stay on track, and when there weren’t any, I gave myself tasks and deadlines. It’s not about waiting for motivation — it’s about moving forward until it finds you.

4. Feedback is Gold, But Not Everyone’s Opinion Matters

   Not all feedback is equal — some builds you, some breaks you. I’ve learned that being honest with yourself is just as important as listening to others. It’s okay to admit mistakes, but it’s also okay to ignore overly harsh or unhelpful opinions. The key is knowing who to listen to — friends, mentors, teachers, or anyone who truly wants to see you grow. Constructive feedback helps you evolve; the rest, you learn to leave behind.

5. Your Voice is Your Power

   I used to seek validation from others — and honestly, I still do sometimes. But I’ve come to realize that not everything needs approval. People will always have different opinions, and not everyone will appreciate your path. What truly matters is how you feel about your growth. You’re the one who’s learning, evolving, and showing up. So trust your instincts, listen to your inner voice, and make choices that feel right to you. That’s where your real power lies.

Wherever you are on your journey — just starting, restarting, or somewhere in between — know that growth isn’t linear, and creativity doesn’t follow a rulebook. Trust your pace, your voice, and your story. That’s what truly makes your journey beautiful.