Taking risks is a part of creative work. The discomfort gets easier – if you exercise it regularly.
I was reminded this today as I sent part recordings to my students. When I’m making part recordings regularly, I get used to my voice and lose my discomfort in publishing demo recording featuring me. But with a large gap since my last sung part track, I found myself back to my usual mortification, feeling deeply unwilling to push send, even after I’d finished editing and mixing.
I think the same is true for all risky creative work. It’s why it’s easier to write every day than once a month, and why it’s easier to teach on the second day of school than on the first. Discomfort is not durable, it requires maintenance.
Yesterday’s discomfort diminishes today’s discomfort, making it easier to be creative. But if I don’t practice my creativity today, it’ll get harder again tomorrow.