The trick to building confidence isn’t waiting until you feel ready—it’s pushing yourself just far enough outside your comfort zone that you grow without burning out.

That means starting with what you have. If taking on a full client load feels impossible right now, don’t. Start smaller. Your own home is the perfect training ground. Experiment, problem-solve, refine your style—without the pressure of getting everything right the first time. Then, take the next step. Offer to help a friend or family member. Get comfortable making decisions. Practice working with vendors. Document your progress.

Bit by bit, project by project, you create a body of work and the self-trust to back it up. And that’s the key—building trust in yourself as you go, instead of setting the bar so high that you quit before you even get started.

You don’t have to overhaul your life overnight. You just have to move forward—one step beyond where you were yesterday. And if self-doubt is telling you that you’re not really a designer until your client list is full? Call its bluff. Because the only way to fill that list is to start.