Episode 20 Transcript
Owning Your Expertise: Stepping into Your Role as a Creative and Finding Your place in the Creative World (Part 1 of 2)
It’s the end of April, and we’re deep into spring now. And honestly, I've been doing a lot of reflecting lately. One thing I’ve realized is that I’m not fully leaning into all of my expertise. Even though I’ve been designing, creating, and teaching for years, there’s still so much more I want to do. I sometimes find myself hesitating to fully claim my role as a leader in the creative world—at least, in the areas I’ve discovered I really, really want to play in.
Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever sensed that you were holding back your true potential, afraid to fully step into your creative power in certain areas? Maybe it’s the fear of being seen as an imposter, or maybe it’s the uncertainty of whether you’re truly ready. But here’s the thing: sometimes, we need to own what we already know and stop waiting for permission to claim our expertise.
And that brings me to what I’ve been thinking about recently, which is exactly what we're going to explore today—owning your expertise. It’s something that many creatives wrestle with, including myself. It’s about understanding that your experience and skills are valuable, even when you don’t have all the answers. It’s about stepping confidently into your role as an expert, especially in those areas where you feel pulled to create, lead, and teach, sell.
This episode is actually the first part of a two-part series where we’ll talk about why owning your expertise is so important and how you can actually do it. We’ll dive into what’s really going on when you feel that nagging sense of discontent—because that little nudge of unhappiness is often a sign that you're meant to grow into the expert you’re destined to be. And in the next episode, we’ll dig into why that discontent is actually a tool for transformation and growth.
So What Does It Mean to "Own Your Expertise"?
Now, we’re not talking about a piece of paper that says you’re qualified or a list of awards that make you feel validated. While credentials and accolades are nice, they’re not the essence of true expertise. Owning your expertise is about embracing the journey you’ve taken—the skills, knowledge, and experiences that have shaped you. That’s what I mean about owning it! It’s about acknowledging your unique perspective, which is unlike anyone else’s, and recognizing that your journey and the things you’ve learned along the way are invaluable.
Let’s put it this way: expertise is a mindset, not just a title. It’s not about being the most knowledgeable or the best at what you do—it’s about being unapologetically you in your craft. It’s the confidence to step forward and claim what you’ve learned, even when you’re still growing, even when you don’t have all the answers. It’s not about waiting until you feel “ready” or perfect—it’s about stepping into your role right now, with the knowledge and experience you’ve gathered.
When you own your expertise, you stop second-guessing yourself. You stop comparing yourself to others who seem to have it “more together” or who might have more credentials. Instead, you see your own growth, your own journey, and your own unique story as what sets you apart. And the beauty of it is, you get to define what expertise looks like for you.
For me, I know that I’ve spent years building skills that go beyond just making clothes or patternmaking. I’ve spent years digging into design analysis, manufacturing, garment design and construction, historical fashion, fabric properties & manipulation—these are the areas where I own my expertise, and I embrace them fully. I’m still learning, but that’s part of owning your expertise: acknowledging that there’s always room for growth, but not waiting to start until you’re at the “end.”
Owning your expertise isn’t about perfection; it’s about taking ownership of what you already know and allowing that to evolve over time. It’s about being present in your work, trusting in your process, and recognizing the value in your creative journey. When you do this, you naturally become more confident in the work you’re putting out there.
So, if you’re finding yourself in a place where you feel like you’re not “there yet”—whether it’s because you’re still learning, still experimenting, or still figuring it out—let me tell you this: you are already an expert in your own right. Your skills, your experiences, and the way you approach your craft all come together to form something completely unique to you, and that’s something to be proud of.
Now, let’s talk about the pitfalls of hesitation and playing small, because this is where a lot of creatives get stuck. I’ve been there myself, and I’m sure many of you have too. You know what you’re capable of, but for some reason, you hold back. Maybe you’re afraid to step into your full potential, or maybe you feel like you haven’t quite “earned” the right to fully claim your expertise. This hesitation can be really subtle, but over time, it can have a big impact on both your creativity and your business.
One of the biggest risks is stagnation. When you don’t step into your role as an expert, you stay stuck in a comfort zone—a place where you’re not challenging yourself or taking the risks that lead to growth. You might be creating, but there’s a sense that something is missing, or that you’re not moving forward as fast as you’d like. Creativity thrives when we push ourselves, but if we’re holding back because we’re afraid of being “too much” or “not enough,” we lose the spark that drives our work.
Another major pitfall is self-doubt. When you’re hesitant to fully claim your expertise, you start questioning your worth. You might find yourself saying, “Am I really qualified to teach this?” or “Who am I to charge this price for my work?” That’s when you’re playing small—and that’s where the trouble starts. When you hold back, you’re not just robbing yourself of the chance to grow—you’re also robbing others of the opportunity to learn from or enjoy your unique perspective.
This is where the danger of creative stagnation sets in. Constantly questioning yourself, waiting for external validation, or trying to get everything “perfect” before you take action keeps you from moving forward. The more you hesitate, the more you stall your own progress, and that leads to burnout and frustration. You may start to feel like you’re spinning your wheels, stuck in a loop of indecision and fear of failure.
But here’s the thing—your expertise is valuable because it’s unique to you. It’s built from your experiences, your perspective, your creative journey. And the world needs that. You have a voice that no one else has, and that’s why stepping into your role in the creative world is so important. Your authenticity is what will draw people to you, whether they’re looking for guidance, inspiration, or just someone to show them what’s possible.
Confidence in your expertise or your rightful place isn’t something that magically appears when you feel “ready.” Confidence is built through practice and action. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about showing up consistently, being willing to experiment, and trusting that your unique voice and perspective are valuable. The more you take action, the more you build that confidence. And with every step you take, you get closer to the expert you’re meant to be.
So, the question is, what’s keeping you from stepping into your role as an expert? Is it the fear of judgment? The fear of failure? Or maybe the fear of not being perfect? Whatever it is, remember that the only way to break free from hesitation is to take that first step. You don’t need to wait for everything to align perfectly. All you need to do is embrace your expertise, start practicing, and take the action that will lead you to real growth.
Here’s the truth about expertise: it’s a journey, not a destination. And this is where a lot of creatives get tripped up. We feel like once we reach a certain point, we should be “done” or that we’ve somehow “arrived.” But owning your expertise isn’t about that—it’s about accepting that it will evolve over time. You’re not meant to be the same person or creator you were last year, last month, or even last week. Growth is a constant.
It’s okay to grow into your role in the creative world. You don’t need to know everything, have all the answers, or be the best at every aspect of your craft. What matters is that you commit to the process of growth. As you learn and expand, you become more authentic in your work, and that authenticity, that will bring and build deeper connections with your audience. They will see your journey, and they will resonate with it because it’s real.
Now, here's the thing with growth: it often comes with discomfort. You’re going to feel a little bit of disconnect at times, like you’re stepping outside of your comfort zone. It’s normal to feel like there’s this sense of unhappiness or discontent when you’re growing, because with growth comes change—and change is uncomfortable. It’s that nagging feeling that you’re not quite where you want to be, but you know that you’re headed in the right direction…sort of!
I’ve certainly felt this in my own journey. Even though I’ve been doing what I love, I’ve had moments where I’ve felt misaligned, like I was doing so many things but wasn’t really embracing the full scope of what excites me. I had to sit with that discomfort, acknowledge it, and understand that this sense of discontent wasn’t something to avoid—it was a sign that I needed to reclaim my expertise in certain areas.
Discontent is often the key to unlocking the next phase of your journey. It’s like a compass that guides you toward the changes you need to make. When you feel disconnected or frustrated, rather than running from those feelings, lean into them. Ask yourself, “What’s this trying to tell me?” You’ll often find that the areas where you feel the most discomfort are the ones where you need to grow the most. The discomfort points you in the direction of the expertise you’re still building or the new creative directions you’re meant to explore.
This is the beauty of the growth process—it’s not linear, by any stretch! There are going to be times when you feel on top of the world and times when you feel uncertain. But that’s the path. It’s okay to be in the messy middle of the journey. What’s important is that you keep moving forward and accept that growth, like expertise, is a lifelong process.
And that’s the thing with owning your expertise—it’s an ongoing process. It’s not about achieving perfection or waiting for permission. It’s about claiming what you’ve already learned and leaning into the growth that’s ahead. And with that comes the inevitable next question: If you feel discontent with where you are now, what do you do with that? Is it something to fight against, or can you use it as a compass to help guide you further into your expertise?
In the next episode, we’re going to explore why discontent, that feeling you might be trying to ignore, is actually a compass—a guide that can show you where you need to go next in your creative journey. I’ll explain how to use that discomfort to your advantage. I’m going through this process myself right now, and I’m excited to share with you how you can turn it into something powerful. So make sure you tune in next week to learn how to use frustration and discomfort in your creative journey as a tool for growth and greater ownership of your creative expertise. Until then, keep creating and embracing your expertise—one step at a time.
