What’s Really Stopping You from Taking that First Step? Unpacking the Fear of Starting…

Have you ever found yourself staring at a blank page, postponing an important phone call, or delaying the launch of a new project, even though you know exactly what you want to achieve? 

This “fear of starting something new” is a universal human experience that affects everyone from aspiring writers to seasoned entrepreneurs. It’s an invisible barrier that stands between you and your greatest achievements, often whispering doubts and creating imaginary worst-case scenarios to convince you that staying in your comfort zone is the safest option. The good news is that understanding what truly stops you is the first critical step toward moving past it.

You really don’t need to be perfect

One of the most powerful and often hidden culprits behind our reluctance to begin is the perfectionism trap. This relentless internal critic (whom I have named the “success bully“) demands flawless execution from the outset, leading to an “all-or-nothing” thinking pattern. When we believe our initial efforts must be perfect, we set an impossible standard that guarantees disappointment and creates a paralyzing fear that prevents us from taking even the smallest first step. Remember, “you can’t edit a blank page”, and every expert was once a beginner. The need to get everything right the first time is often the “silent killer of new beginnings,” preventing many people from ever starting.

It’s okay to feel nervous

Another core psychological mechanism at play is our brain’s natural response to uncertainty. Our brains are wired to perceive the unknown as a threat. The amygdala, our brain’s alarm system, activates when we face new challenges, triggering a “fight-or-flight” response that can manifest as physical symptoms like an increased heart rate or stomach discomfort. While this biological response evolved totect us from physical dangers, in modern contexts, it can overreact to challenges and prevent growth and innovation. Starting something new inherently involves stepping into uncharted territory, which explains why we feel this trepidation.

Beyond perfectionism and uncertainty, there’s also a powerful identity protection mechanism. As long as we haven’t started, we can maintain the comforting belief that success remains possible. However, once we begin, we risk discovering our limitations and facing potential failure. This phenomenon explains why many people prefer to say “I could have” rather than “I tried and failed”. Not starting preserves the possibility of success in our minds, even if it guarantees we’ll never actually achieve it. This can manifest as imposter syndrome, where we question if we are the type of person who can successfully achieve X. Challenging this and stepping into a new identity can feel fraudulent at first, but it’s a necessary “growing pain”.

Move beyond overwhelm

Finally, the sheer magnitude of what lies ahead can create an “overwhelm trap”. When we fixate on the entire journey—the hundreds of steps between here and our destination—starting feels impossible. Large goals naturally generate large fears. This “knot of anxiety in our stomach” makes the beginning feel like the steepest part of the mountain. Fear also often disguises itself as practicality or prudence, leading to excuses like, “I’ll start when I’m more prepared” or “This isn’t the right time”. We might tell ourselves, “I don’t have enough time” or “I need more resources (or more certifications, degrees, etc),” but these are often just convenient explanations for deeper internal resistance.

Recognizing these fear patterns—whether it’s procrastination, talking yourself out of opportunities, or creating elaborate “what if” disaster scenarios—is the foundation of change. Understanding these psychological mechanisms is the first step toward overcoming this common barrier. Remember, fear of starting is “not a personal failing” but a “universal human experience”. The difference between those who achieve their goals and those who don’t often comes down to this simple truth: successful people feel the fear and start anyway. 

The perfect moment you’re waiting for doesn’t exist; the obstacles are almost always about internal resistance. 

Step into 2026 and challenge yourself to just keep moving forward, one step at a time.