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As I grow older, there is one crucial thing I finally stopped doing: hesitating to start a task due to excessive anxiety and perfectionism.
I used to cling to the illusion that I must make full preparations before taking any action, fearing that inadequate preparation, negative judgments from others or potential failures would ruin everything. This excessive caution had long confined me to my comfort zone, making me miss countless precious opportunities to explore new possibilities.
But now, I abandoned this harmful mindset and learned to start messily instead of waiting for the so-called perfect moment. I realized that excessive deliberation only leads to stagnation, and there is no absolute perfection in the process of trying new things. What matters is not being fully ready at first, but having the courage to take the first step and move forward bravely.
A vivid example is my attempt at a side hustle. I had never raised a cat before, and I was full of apprehension about making mistakes that might harm cats' health or cause them to run away. However, I overcame my trepidation and resolutely became a part-time in-home cat feeder without waiting for flawless preparation. Gradually, I accumulated experience through practice and served dozens of lovely cats successfully.
This experience made me understand a profound truth: not starting is equivalent to definite failure, while taking the first step at least brings the possibility of success. We should stop being imprisoned by unnecessary worries and embrace every new attempt with courage. Only by daring to start can we break through limitations and discover a better self in the process of constant exploration.
