A few years ago, I had a friend who dreamed of starting her own business. She had the skills, the knowledge, and a vision for what she wanted to create. But every time she thought about putting herself out there, she froze. It wasn’t the fear of failure that held her back—it was the fear of people watching her fail. The idea of friends, family, or even strangers seeing her stumble made her hesitate. So she stayed in her comfort zone, waiting for the “right time” to start. Sound familiar?

Trusting yourself is one thing, but actually showing up in that trust is something entirely different. 

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Once you decide to go after what you truly want—whether it’s making a change, starting a business, or stepping into a new version of yourself—people are going to notice. And that’s where a lot of us freeze. We’re not just afraid of failure; we’re afraid of being seen failing. We worry about what people will say, how they’ll judge us, and whether we’ll look foolish. 

So instead of taking bold action, we hold back. We stay in our comfort zones. We shrink ourselves down and play it safe. Or, we convince ourselves that we need to wait for the perfect time, as if we’ll magically feel 100% ready someday. (Spoiler: That day never comes.)

Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Let’s dive into why the fear of being seen is so powerful, how it keeps you stuck longer than you realize, and three ways to push past it so you can finally show up as the person—and business owner—you’re meant to be.

Why the Fear of Being Seen Keeps You Stuck

Let’s be real—most of the time, it’s not the action itself that scares us. It’s what other people will think about it.

Think about this:

• You’re not just afraid to start a business. You’re afraid of people seeing you struggle to land your first client.
• You’re not just nervous to post content online. You’re nervous that your friends and family will judge you.
• You’re not just hesitant to pivot in your career. You don’t want to explain to people why you’re making the change.

We all care about how we’re perceived. That’s human nature. And in today’s world, where everything is online, public, and visible, the fear of being judged is even bigger.

But here’s the truth: Most people don’t fear failure as much as they fear other people seeing them fail. And because of that, we end up holding ourselves back. We tell ourselves:

• I’ll start when I feel more confident.
• I need to prepare more before I put myself out there.
• I should wait until it’s perfect.

But let’s be honest—how much time have you already wasted waiting to feel “ready”? How many opportunities have you let slip by because of fear?

The good news? You don’t have to stay stuck in this cycle. Let’s talk about how to push past it.

Three Ways to Overcome the Fear of Being Seen

Reframe Judgment as Proof That You’re Doing Something Bold

If people are watching, it means you’re doing something worth watching. No one judges the person who plays it safe. They judge the ones who take risks, step up, and do things differently.

Instead of seeing judgment as something negative, see it as evidence that you’re on the right track. The people who make the biggest impact in the world are the ones who dare to be seen.

A great example of this? Think about your favorite entrepreneurs or creators. Every single one of them had to start somewhere, and I guarantee they had critics. But they kept showing up—and that’s why they’re successful today.

Detach from Opinions That Don’t Matter

Ask yourself: Whose opinions actually count? If someone isn’t living the life you want, why are you letting their judgment hold you back?

The people who truly support you won’t judge you. And the ones who judge? They were never your people anyway. At the end of the day, their opinions don’t pay your bills, build your dreams, or live your life.

Here’s a simple exercise: Make a list of the three people whose opinions actually matter to you. Then, the next time you start overthinking, ask yourself: Am I holding myself back because of someone who isn’t even on this list? If so, it’s time to let it go.

Show Up Messy, But Show Up Anyway

You do not need to be perfect before you put yourself out there. Confidence isn’t a prerequisite for starting—it’s something you build by starting.

Give yourself permission to be a beginner, to make mistakes, and to grow in public. The only way to get comfortable being seen is to let yourself be seen.

Think about the last time you saw a behind-the-scenes video from a business owner you admire. Chances are, it wasn’t perfect—but it was real, and that’s why it resonated. People don’t connect with perfection; they connect with authenticity. So show up, even if it’s messy. That’s how growth happens.

Your Challenge: Take One Bold Action This Week

The fear of being seen isn’t about failure—it’s about judgment. But here’s the thing: most people aren’t thinking about you as much as you think they are. And the only way to get over the fear of showing up is to just start showing up.

So here’s my challenge for you this week:  Do one thing you’ve been holding back on because of fear of judgment.

• Post the content.
• Start the project.
• Say yes to the opportunity.

And when that fear creeps in, remind yourself: If people are watching, it’s because I’m doing something worth watching.
Because at the end of the day, people will always, always have opinions. But their opinions don’t define you. Only you do.
Now go be seen.

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