Fake It Until You Feel It: A Creative’s Survival Guide

We’ve all heard the phrase “Fake it until you make it,” but let’s be honest—sometimes, “making it” feels impossibly far away. What happens when you’re in the middle of a tough personal situation, juggling self-doubt, exhaustion, or just a lack of inspiration? That’s where my personal mantra comes in:

✨ Fake it until you feel it. ✨

This isn’t about pretending to be someone you’re not. It’s about stepping into the version of yourself that already exists beneath the fear, exhaustion, or uncertainty. It’s about using action to shift your mindset rather than waiting for motivation to magically appear. Because here’s the truth—motivation follows movement, not the other way around.

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Energy Follows Action

One of the biggest myths about creativity, leadership, and success is that they require you to feel a certain way first—confident, ready, inspired. But in reality, those feelings are often the result of action, not the precursor to it.

Have you ever dreaded starting a project, only to feel totally engaged once you got into it? That’s energy following action. Your brain adapts to what you’re doing, not just what you’re thinking. By taking even the smallest step forward, you shift your energy and create momentum where there was none.

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Your Brain Listens to You

The way we speak to ourselves has power. If you tell yourself, “I’m not ready. I’m not good enough. I’m stuck.”—guess what? Your brain will believe you. But if you act as if you are ready, competent, and capable, your brain starts catching up.

This doesn’t mean ignoring reality or pretending problems don’t exist. It means recognizing that self-perception is fluid. The way you carry yourself, the words you use, and the actions you take all reinforce your identity. If you step into confidence, even before you fully feel it, your brain will eventually adjust to that new reality.

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Small Wins Create Big Momentum

When things feel overwhelming, the key is to break them down into the smallest possible steps. You don’t have to tackle everything at once. You just have to do something.

• Write one sentence instead of a whole chapter.

• Reach out to one contact instead of solving your whole career crisis today.

• Take one deep breath before diving into a difficult conversation.

Small wins build confidence. Confidence fuels momentum. And momentum makes everything easier.

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It’s Not About Being Fake—It’s About Allowing Yourself to Step Forward

People sometimes hear “fake it until you feel it” and assume it means being inauthentic. But this isn’t about pretending—it’s about allowing. Allowing yourself to show up even when you’re unsure. Allowing yourself to take up space even when you’re uncomfortable. Allowing yourself to trust that action will bring clarity.

So, the next time you feel stuck, uninspired, or full of doubt, try it:

✨ Fake it until you feel it. ✨

You might just surprise yourself with what follows.