What’s Really Holding Us Back

Last month’s blog post about what’s actually working on Instagram in 2025 sparked an unexpected wave of responses. The most common reaction wasn’t about statistics or strategy, but relief: “It’s such a relief to know that static images and carousels are working well again. I’ve been feeling so much pressure to create videos when that’s just not what I enjoy doing.“

This collective exhale was palpable. But as I read through dozens of similar messages, something deeper emerged. While many felt liberated from the pressure to create video content, something else was still holding them back from showing up consistently.

When I asked what specifically prevented them from sharing behind-the-scenes content, the answers were strikingly similar:

“Fear of judgment.” “I worry people won’t be interested—it’s imposter syndrome again.” “The need to make it look perfect.”

These responses highlight something important: while Instagram’s algorithms and features constantly shift, these deeper internal barriers persist, especially for creative entrepreneurs.

The Hidden Cost of Perfectionism

Perfectionism is particularly sneaky because it often masquerades as professionalism or attention to detail. As creatives, many of us have spent years training ourselves to spot the tiniest flaws, to refine our taste, and to produce work that meets exacting standards. That’s a valuable skill—it’s likely part of what makes your work exceptional.

But there’s a negative side to these finely-tuned abilities. When it comes to showing up in our businesses—whether on social media, in client meetings, or how we present our work—these same skills can become significant obstacles.

Perfectionism tells us that unless something is flawless, it’s not worth sharing. Fear of judgment convinces us that others are waiting to criticise our work. And the concern that we’re not interesting enough leads us to discount our everyday processes and insights—precisely the content that would actually be most valuable to others.

I know this pattern intimately. I’ve spent hours perfecting a single Instagram post—adjusting the composition, tweaking the colours, rewriting the caption multiple times. And what’s really happening isn’t just perfectionism—it’s fear. Fear that people would judge my work harshly. Fear that what seemed interesting to me would be boring to others. Fear that showing the messy parts of my process would somehow diminish my perceived expertise.

And while I was busy perfecting that one post, weeks would go by without sharing anything at all. The irony? In trying to be perfect, judgment-proof, and undeniably interesting, I was actually showing up less consistently than if I’d just shared more imperfectly.

Why Your “Ordinary” Matters More Than You Think

One of the most common concerns I hear is some variation of “my day-to-day work isn’t interesting enough to share.” We look at our own processes, our workspaces, our everyday tasks, and because they’re so familiar to us, we assume they must be boring to everyone else.

But this is a classic case of the “curse of knowledge”—when we know something so well that we can’t remember what it’s like not to know it. We forget that the very things we take for granted about our work are exactly what others find most intriguing.

Think about it—have you ever watched someone skilled make something that you don’t know how to make? Whether it’s a potter forming a vessel from a lump of clay, a chef quickly chopping vegetables with perfect technique, or a designer pulling fabric samples together that seemingly magically work—there’s something mesmerising about watching expertise in action, even (or especially) in its most ordinary moments.

Your everyday work contains exactly this kind of magic for people who don’t do what you do. The tools on your desk, how you organise your materials, the quick decisions you make without thinking about them—these glimpses into your process aren’t just interesting, they’re valuable.

This applies to knowledge work too. If you’re a designer, writer, or any other creative whose work happens largely in your mind, sharing your thinking process is incredibly valuable. The questions you ask at the start of a project, how you organise your research, the way you work through creative blocks—these insights give context and depth to your expertise.

Remember that what feels basic or obvious to you represents years of accumulated knowledge and experience. The aspects of your work that you no longer have to think about are precisely the ones that others find most impressive.

The Business Impact of These Barriers

These barriers don’t just affect your social media presence—they can impact every aspect of your business:

• They can keep you from reaching out to ideal clients or potential collaborations because you’re afraid of judgment or rejection.
• They can lead you to undercharge for your work because you worry that your true rates will be judged as too expensive.
• They can stop you from sharing your unique perspectives or ideas because you fear they’re not interesting enough to stand out.

Perhaps the greatest cost is what they do to your own relationship with your work. When we only share the most polished, perfect versions of our creative process, we’re reinforcing to ourselves that only certain parts of our work and story are valuable. We start to lose touch with the exploration and experimentation that likely drew us to creative work in the first place.

And that disconnection, over time, can lead to burnout, creative blocks, and a sense that we’re constantly performing rather than genuinely sharing our work.

Practical Ways to Break Through

So how do we move past these barriers? Here are some practical approaches:

1. Leverage carousels to take the pressure off

According to the Metricool data I shared in episode 81, carousel posts are showing significantly improved metrics. And now that Instagram has expanded the carousel limit to 20 images, we have even more space to tell complete stories about our work.

Carousels take the pressure off any single image being perfect. When you have up to 20 slides to work with, no individual image needs to carry the entire weight of your message. This creates space for including those less-than-perfect glimpses into your process alongside your more polished content.

They naturally lend themselves to storytelling, helping you to think about your content as a narrative rather than a standalone moment. This shift in perspective often makes it easier to include context, process, and all the real humanness of your work.

2. Start with “pairing” content

Try combining one polished, finished piece with one behind-the-scenes glimpse. This balanced approach can feel less vulnerable than jumping straight into sharing all the messy parts.

3. Share retrospectively

It’s often easier to share challenges or failures after you’ve already overcome them. “Here’s what went wrong and how I fixed it” feels less vulnerable than sharing in the midst of a struggle.

4. Use captions to provide context

You don’t have to just post a messy workspace photo—you can frame it with a thoughtful caption about your process, what you’re working on, or what the space enables you to create.

5. Focus on who you’re creating for

The more specific you are about who you’re creating for and what value you’re offering, the less relevant general judgment becomes. When you know exactly who your content is for, opinions from outside that audience matter much less.

6. Start small

You don’t need to transform everything overnight. Each small step builds confidence for the next one.

Reframing “Professional”

Let’s reframe our understanding of what “professional” really means. Somewhere along the way, many of us absorbed the idea that being professional means being perfect, polished, and never showing vulnerability or process. But true professionalism isn’t about perfection—it’s about expertise, integrity, and delivering value.

Some of the most respected professionals I know are quite open about their processes, challenges, and even occasional mistakes. They understand that transparency doesn’t undermine their expertise—it demonstrates confidence in the value they provide regardless of occasional imperfections.

There’s actually significant research to back this up. Studies on consumer behaviour consistently show that people are drawn to authenticity and relatability. According to a Stackla survey, 90% of consumers say authenticity is important when deciding which brands they like and support, with 51% saying they believe less than half of brands create content that feels authentic.

This desire for authenticity has only intensified in recent years. As our digital lives become increasingly curated and filtered, with the rise in AI-produced content, there’s a growing hunger for content that feels real, unpolished, and human.

So when we hold back due to perfectionism, fear of judgment, or concerns about not being interesting enough, we’re not just limiting our own opportunities—we’re actually withholding exactly what our audience most wants to see.

The Broader Impact

When you begin to share more authentically on platforms like Instagram, something interesting happens—you start to show up differently in other aspects of your business too. The confidence you build through sharing more openly online often translates to more confidence in client meetings, sales conversations, and networking opportunities.

This shift isn’t just about how others perceive you—it’s about how you perceive yourself. When you regularly share your expertise, process, and perspective, you reinforce your own value. You start to see your knowledge and skills more objectively, recognising the unique contribution you make.

This internal clarity often leads to more aligned business decisions. Instead of trying to copy what others are doing or following prescribed paths that don’t feel right, you become more attuned to what genuinely works for you. Your marketing becomes more authentic, your offerings more distinctive, your client relationships more genuine.

And when your business feels more aligned with who you really are, everything becomes more sustainable. You’re not constantly draining energy by trying to maintain a perfect facade or guess what others want to see. You’re building on your natural strengths and genuine interests.

A Closing Thought

Remember that what feels ordinary to you is often extraordinary to others. The aspects of your work that you take for granted—your process, your thinking, your everyday expertise—these are precisely what others find most valuable and interesting.

You don’t need to change who you are—just share more of it. Your work is already incredible. Let people see it in all its forms—the polished final pieces, yes, but also the messy middles, the thoughtful process, the real human expertise behind it all.

I’d love to hear your thoughts about this. What’s been holding you back from sharing more behind the scenes content, not just on Instagram but in your business as a whole? And what’s one small step you might take to show up more fully? Share your thoughts below or with me over on Instagram—I always love hearing from you.