What Teaching Ages 3 to 70 Taught Me About Overcoming Fear
Behind the Scenes: A Reflection on "Influential Women"
A few days ago, I had the privilege of contributing to the Influential Women newsletter. When they asked me to reflect on one lesson I learned the hard way, I found myself pausing.
Transitioning from a 22-year career in tech to founding my own studio has been filled with moments of growth, but the deepest lesson didn't come from a textbook or a business strategy. It came from watching people at the easel.
Eight Decades at the Easel
In my studio, I’m in a unique position: I teach students spanning eight decades of life—from toddlers as young as three to adults in their seventies. Working across such a wide spectrum gives you a rare front-row seat to human nature.
If you hand a paintbrush to a 3-year-old, there is zero hesitation. They dive right in—mixing colors freely, splashing paint, and enjoying every second of the process without worrying about the final outcome.
But when an adult sits down at a blank canvas? The energy shifts. There’s often a subtle tension—a quiet anxiety about making a mistake, drawing a line crooked, or getting it "wrong."
Pablo Picasso nailed it when he said:
"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up."
Somewhere along the way, we trade spontaneous curiosity for caution. We learn to fear mistakes instead of treating them as stepping stones.
Stepping Out of the Comfort Zone
I know that hesitation well because I spent two decades managing it myself.
During my 22-year career in tech, I loved the problem-solving and structure, but staying in a well-established comfort zone becomes a habit. When you’ve built momentum in one career, pivoting into something entirely creative requires a conscious decision to embrace uncertainty.
The breakthrough lesson for me was realizing that waiting for 100% certainty is a trap. The confidence doesn't come before you take the leap—it comes while you’re in mid-air.
Passion Has No Expiration Date
Stepping out to establish my studio proved something I now share with every adult student who walks through my doors: Passion doesn't have an expiration date.
Whether you are 3, 35, or 70, age should never limit your willingness to try a new path, pick up a new brush, or completely rewrite your story. Perfection is overrated; expression, growth, and joy are what actually matter.
Watch the Full Reflection
I recorded a short video diving deeper into this story and sharing a quick look behind the scenes. You can watch it here:
Over to You
What is one boundary you’ve held back from crossing out of fear or hesitation? If you could pick up a brush—literally or metaphorically—today without any fear of making a mistake, what would you create?
Let me know in the comments below—I’d love to hear your thoughts!
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