introduction: the major reframes

(so much of the work is internal!)

when I started builtwithhabit, i underestimated how much of the work would be "internal;" working through self-doubt, perfectionism, comparison. i’ve started reprogramming the way i think about progress and redefine what “doing it right” even means - i've distilled them into these 6 major cognitive reframes. whether you're an entrepreneur, a student, in a 9-to-5, i strongly believe they're applicable to anyone and everyone.

feeling “ready”

(“i need to have everything figured out to feel ready to start.” → “i’ll only feel ready after i start; i have to get moving first!”)

this has been one of my biggest reframes this year - and it’s still a work in progress! i’ve always taken pride in being a “type a perfectionist,” and for a long time, i thought that planning, preparing, and being attentive to detail were my superpowers.

we’re conditioned to feel that before we can start something, we have to have it all perfectly mapped out first - otherwise, we’re being ‘reckless’ or ‘impulsive.’ but what i’ve realised is that the need to feel ready is just fear in disguise - and it kills your momentum to act. it keeps you paralysed in research loops, creating a false sense of security that only action can provide. 

this is harmful in two ways. first, it limits personal growth. when you wait until you know you’ll be good at something, you end up shrinking your life to only the things that feel safe: which also means, the things that rarely stretch you. being bad at something new is uncomfortable but you have to befriend that discomfort. give yourself permission to suck: to be a beginner, novice, amateur, whatever you want to call it; it’s essential if you want to grow!

second, it compromises your business: the truth is, you’ll never feel fully ready. there will always be reasons not to take the leap - when you’re younger, you’re “too inexperienced,” when you’re mid career, you “have too many responsibilities,” and when you’re older, it’s “too late.” for me, most of bwh has been trial by fire - figuring things out as i go, one day at a time. i still don’t have all the downstream logistics nailed down (like packaging, fulfillment, or warehousing), but i know that forward motion reveals what standing still never could.

🪴 takeaway: you don’t think your way into readiness; you build your way there!

facing “uncertainty”

(“i’m not sure what to do next; i’m probably not competent enough.” → “i’m in uncharted territory and i’ve always found a way forward!”)

this one hits hard. when you’re building something from scratch, it’s easy to internalise uncertainty as inadequacy. there are days when i stare at my to-do list, unsure how to tackle it, and i spiral into thinking: maybe i’m not cut out for this… maybe i don’t have what it takes...

but i’ve realised i have to force myself to zoom out and step away - go for a walk, get some air, change my environment. in these moments, i’m reminded of the hundreds of other moments i once thought i wouldn’t get through. every skill i have now was once unfamiliar, every win was preceded by feeling lost! uncertainty rarely speaks to your capability - it’s just a byproduct of being somewhere you’ve never been before. that reminder grounds me: if you’ve solved hard things before, you’ll solve this next thing too!

🪴 takeaway: self-doubt doesn’t mean you’re unqualified; it means you’re growing beyond what you’ve known!

moving “slowly”

(“i’m progressing so slowly, i must be behind.” → “i’m building with intention and i trust the universe’s divine timing!”)

this is a reframe i constantly have to practice! i tend to live with an internal clock ticking loudly in my head: a sense that i should always be further along than i am. i set ambitious timelines, and i like the discipline that comes from urgency. but i’m realising that not everything worth building can be rushed. creating with integrity requires space to think, experiment, and sometimes, to pause (and pivot) completely.

every delay i’ve faced in product development has forced deeper clarity: better design choices, smarter sourcing, stronger partnerships… things that would’ve been impossible if i’d rushed them. my product is built around intentionality, transparency, and sustainability: and those things take time. i’m learning to trust that if i’m making calls that feel ‘right’ to me, the right things will unfold at the right pace.

🪴 takeaway: slow doesn’t mean stagnant; sometimes, it’s the pace required for something real to take root!

perpetually “busy”

(“my calendar is always packed; i must be super productive.” → “i have systems in place, so i can be smart about my time!”)

it’s so easy to glorify “busyness!” for a long time, i equated a full calendar with progress: as if the more meetings, tasks, and motion i had, the closer i was getting to my goals. what i’ve learned is that sometimes a packed schedule can hide inefficiency. when you’re in constant ‘go’ mode, you don’t have time to really sit back and think about what you’re doing and how it fits into your broader objectives. i’ve had weeks that were nonstop… but when i looked back, very little of it actually moved the needle.

i think for me, what’s helped is shifting from “doing more” to “doing what matters.” sometimes, that means blocking time to think, instead of react. sometimes it’s taking space so my brain can actually connect dots creatively. and sometimes it’s creating room to talk things out with the people i love and trust most! systems are at the center of everything: they make room for focus, flow, and alignment.

🪴 takeaway: productivity isn’t about doing everything; it’s about making space for what actually matters!

being “perceived”

(“posting on social media is cringe and i hate being perceived.” → “social media allows me to tell my story and build a community!”)

this was a huge hurdle for me. in the last few years, i feel like i’ve become deeply protective of my privacy - i guess i associate it with peace (ALSO i’m so 🧿🧿🧿 all the time). so when i started building in public for builtwithhabit, it felt so unnatural. uncomfortable. borderline cringe. it’s hard to share work when it’s still in progress: especially when your audience is small and your results are still “invisible.”

i saw this quote on instagram: “you have to get comfortable with writing when no one is reading. creating when no one is consuming. putting in the hours when you know no one is clapping, no one is listening, no one is watching that's it. that's the big secret” ~ @drivensociety. i never take for granted the amazing support system i have and the people i know who are cheering me on! but also: to me, that is the essence of creative work: trusting that what you’re doing matters - even before it’s seen - and just trying your best to show up consistently. social media is one of the most powerful tools available to all of us: it facilitates connection, visibility, authenticity, vulnerability and community! for bwh, these platforms give me a voice so i can get my message out there and connect with people who believe in the mission, as much as i do! this means: showing up authentically - sharing the messy behind-the-scenes, the victories, and the setbacks!

🪴 takeaway: visibility is powerful; it’s how your purpose finds its audience!

the “solo” founder

(“being a founder means doing everything myself.” → “having the right people by your side is the biggest blessing!”)

there’s a romanticised version of entrepreneurship that glorifies being a one-man show. i think that self-sufficiency gets you started but collaboration gets you way further. i came into this with no background in fashion, product development, or textile science. that being said, i think my biggest strength is that i absolutely love learning from people: from all walks of life and all kinds of backgrounds! 

i think the most strategic thing i did was connect with people and ask for help. i simply could not have made the progress i have, without the incredible team of people i work with on a daily basis: my product engineer, my social media partner, my cto! i’m endlessly grateful for the people who’ve guided, supported, and bet on this vision alongside me.

🪴 takeaway: self-sufficiency builds resilience and independence; but collaboration builds impact!

closing reflections

(these reframes can be applied to any sphere of life!)

these reframes aren’t exclusively about business.

they’re also about learning to trust yourself, building from intention instead of fear, and seeing progress as proof of patience. whether you’re starting a company, a new chapter, or just trying to become a fuller version of yourself - remember: no one ever feels ready. 

you just begin, stay curious, and keep building!