I came of age (am coming of age?) in the social media generation, and I love it. I love being able to share photos, speak to people around the world and follow so many inspiring people who are doing great things. But sometimes it feels like everyone I follow online is miles ahead of me when it comes to creating the life they want to live. If I go on Instagram on the right day I’ll be greeted with a feed full of people publishing books, starting up million dollar companies and showcasing feature films. And it’s great, inspiring in fact, but we don’t always see the hard work that went into it, know of the nights spent wondering if their dream would ever become a reality or fully understand that what feels like overnight success is in fact years of hard work, disappointment, failing and finding the courage to start again. We glorify (at least I glorify) the frame-able moment but we rarely see what must come before. The start. In my life, I’ve found that starting is often the hardest part. Once I’m in the process of doing something my goal becomes more achievable, but I keep finding myself getting stuck before I even begin. So fearful that it won’t work out that I’m too scared to try, so comfortable in dreaming that I never live those dreams out. Starting is the hardest part, it requires courage and a willingness to persevere. Seeking discomfort and putting yourself in situations where there’s a chance that you might fail. But you’ve got to start somewhere. Today I’m launching a podcast ‘Starting (Is The Hardest Part)’. I love listening to interviews with people whose work I love, young people who are #goals and mature people who’ve created for themselves the kind of lives I want to live. But when you only see other peoples frame-able moments, trying something new can feel daunting. So every few weeks I’m going to be releasing a new episode about Starting. I’m going to speaking to people I know and people I wish I knew who are still at the start of creating the lives they want to live. Those at the beginning of their journeys who are yet to have their big moment but are succeeding in the very act of starting. We’ll be talking about anticipation and excitement, doubt and insecurity, honestly exploring what it is to be starting out without sugar coating or only showing our highlights reel. Starting is the hardest part, but you’ve got to start somewhere and that’s what I’m doing today. I’m not sure where I’m going yet, but now that I’ve started at least I know there’s a journey in store here’s Episode 0. Starting is the hardest part. But you've got to start somewhere. Music: Sad Marimba Planet by Lee Rosevere Contact me: startingpod@gmail.com Tweet me: @rufarofaithh