Why Starting Is Easy (& the Dip Feels Impossible)

“Never quit something with great long-term potential just because you can’t deal with the stress of the moment.” – Seth Godin

About a year ago, I started my Instagram account. 

I was excited and optimistic, ready to share my ideas and vision. But stepping back into the world of social media after being away for a while felt both unfamiliar and a little overwhelming.

A lot had changed in just a few years. I thought I’d pick things up easily, but the more I tried, the more I felt like a total newbie fumbling around in a space that had grown too advanced in my absence. 

It was a classic case of the Dunning-Kruger effect in action.

Why You Feel Like an Expert — Until You Don’t

The Dunning-Kruger effect is a phenomenon where people with limited knowledge tend to overestimate their abilities. When starting something new or learning a skill, you might feel more confident than you should because you haven’t yet encountered the full complexity of the task.

This overconfidence can often be a double-edged sword. It pushes you to take action, but it can also make the inevitable challenges feel more frustrating when you run into them.

It’s a process that shows up everywhere ― from learning a new language to starting a new job ― and it applies to learning or trying anything new. 

At first, it feels simple.

When you’re just starting out, you think you know more than you actually do. But as you dive deeper, you start to see just how much there is to learn.

Over time, with knowledge and persistence, you begin climbing the growth curve, eventually reaching a point where your confidence aligns with your actual competence.

🚀 Summiting Mount Stupid: The Initial Overconfidence Phase

Starting an Instagram account after years away from social media felt like the perfect example of this.

I thought I could just dive in and make quick progress — how hard could it be to post a few short videos and watch the followers roll in? 

I was eager to create and share, convinced that I had a grasp on what would resonate with my audience, and I was sure I’d start seeing engagement and growth right away. 

I thought, "I have a unique perspective to offer. This will be easy."

Looking back, I realize I was standing at the peak of Mount Stupid. The excitement of starting something new, combined with the unrealistic belief that success would come easily, kept me going in the face of initial setbacks. 

But my early overconfidence was met with the cold reality of shifting social media algorithms, the complexities of short-form video, and the constant pressure to post new content.

I struggled to find my footing and I began to question whether I was even cut out for this at all.

🫠 Sinking into the Valley of Despair: The Dip

After that initial burst of enthusiasm, reality quickly set in. 

I realized how much I didn’t know, especially when it came to short-form video. And I simply lacked the skills and the strategy to grow in a crowded digital space.

Social media made me feel like I was creating to feed an algorithm instead of being true to myself. The pressure to chase trends, optimize for engagement, and post constantly drained my motivation and replaced it with a sense of obligation.

So, I took a step back. I needed time to figure things out, to refine my approach, and to get clear on what I was really trying to achieve.  

The beginner’s phase had tricked me into thinking I knew more than I did, and now I was in the uncomfortable phase where I was fully aware of just how little I actually knew. 

Seth Godin fans will recognize this as the dip. It's the point where progress slows down, obstacles feel insurmountable, and the temptation to quit is at its highest.

I was starting to feel the weight of imposter syndrome. I found myself wondering, Am I good enough? Do I even know what I’m doing? There were moments when I felt like I was faking it, wondering if others were seeing through my efforts.

But here’s the thing: that feeling is normal. Everyone goes through it.

There’s a famous Ira Glass quote about being a beginner that I love. In it he talks about the gap that exists between your work and your taste and how, “You’ve just gotta fight your way through.” 

💡 Ascending the Slope of Enlightenment: The Sustained Growth Phase 

I’m willing to accept that struggle is part of the process. 

Every video that falls flat teaches me something new about what works and what doesn’t. Every post that underperforms is an opportunity to reflect and experiment with different approaches. 

The real challenge isn’t giving up when things aren’t going as planned, but rather continuing to show up and adjust as you go. It’s about embracing the process, even when progress feels slow or uncertain. It takes consistent effort and a willingness to fail ― and then try again.

I’m still figuring out how to tell stories effectively in a 15-second video, how to improve my editing skills, and how to engage with my audience in a more meaningful way. 

At the same time, I’m exploring other ways to build a business outside of social media, where I can express myself more authentically and form genuine connections, free from the manipulative influence of profit-driven algorithms. This blog is one example of that approach.

The growth phase isn’t about instant results; it’s about putting in the work, staying curious, and maintaining the belief that progress is happening, even if it’s not always visible right away. 

I’m committed to the long game and confident I’ll find my way.

Learning to Embrace the Messy Middle

A year ago, I dove in with the excitement and confidence of a beginner. But as the challenges piled up and doubt crept in, I quickly discovered just how much more there was to learn.

Instead of letting this realization hold me back, I’ve come to understand it as part of the process ― a necessary step in gaining true competence.

This is top of mind for me having recently started this blog. I know that there will be moments where I feel overconfident again, only to be humbled by new complexities. But now, I’m more equipped to handle those moments with a sense of curiosity, persistence, and optimism. 

I think it’s helpful to remember that the journey of starting something new is rarely linear. Sometimes, progress is slow, and the road ahead is filled with obstacles. 

But these challenges aren’t signs of failure ― they’re proof that we’re moving beyond the surface level and truly engaging with the work. 

I’m still sitting in the dip, but I’m confident that with time and effort, I’ll reach the place where the hard work pays off and the plateau of sustainability doesn’t feel quite so far out of reach.

If you’re starting something new or struggling through the dip, the best advice I can offer is to keep showing up, stay curious, and trust that growth is happening, even when it feels slow. 

The process might be challenging, but it’s shaping you into someone who can truly master the craft ― and that’s where the real success lies.

That’s all for this one.

Thank you for reading.

I hope it helped.

TLDR: Starting is easy, but the messy middle is where the magic happens.