"始める直前がいつも一番怖い"

Starting something new can be incredibly intimidating. It’s that moment when your stomach churns, your heart races, and your mind is flooded with doubts. But once you take the plunge, it often turns out better than you expected. This is what the quote is getting at—it’s the anticipation that’s truly terrifying, not the action itself.

Historically speaking, this sentiment has been echoed by countless creatives, entrepreneurs, and anyone who's ventured out of their comfort zone. Stephen King, the master of horror, was the one who coined this phrase in his book "On Writing." King knows a thing or two about fear, and he's saying that the dread is more about the unknown than the actual task.

Picture this: you're standing on the edge of a bungee jump platform. Your knees are shaking. Your mind is a whirlwind of "What if the cord snaps?" and "Am I really going to do this?" But then—deep breath—you leap. Once you're airborne, it’s exhilarating. The fear that gripped you moments before dissipates, replaced by a rush of adrenaline and a sense of accomplishment. That’s the magic of overcoming the scariest moment.

So, how can you apply this wisdom in your own life? It starts with acknowledging that fear is a natural part of the process. When you're about to start something new—be it a project, a relationship, or even a workout routine—expect that fear. But don't let it freeze you in place. Recognize it, then push through it. A practical tip: break down the task into smaller, manageable steps. The first step might be the scariest, but it’s also the most crucial. Once you’re past it, momentum will carry you forward.

Imagine you’ve always wanted to write a book. The idea of filling hundreds of pages is daunting. You worry about your writing skills, about whether anyone will read it, about finishing it. The scariest moment is staring at that blank page, wondering if you can do it. But instead of focusing on the entire book, just write the first sentence. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be written. With that first sentence down, the fear starts to fade. You’re no longer contemplating writing a book—you’re actually doing it.

Let me tell you about my friend Sarah. She had dreamed of starting her own bakery for years. She imagined all the delicious pastries she’d create, the smiling customers, the quaint little shop. But every time she thought about actually starting it, she was paralyzed by fear. What if nobody came? What if she failed? The dream seemed safer as just that—a dream. One day, she decided to test the waters by baking a few batches of cookies and selling them at a local farmers’ market. That first morning, setting up her stand, she was terrified. But guess what? People loved her cookies. She sold out within hours. That small step gave her the confidence to lease a shop and start her bakery. The scariest moment was just before she started, but once she did, she found her footing and flourished.

So next time you’re facing that gut-wrenching fear before starting something new, remind yourself that it’s just the anticipation. Once you take that first step, the path ahead will often be clearer and less intimidating. Think of it like diving into cold water—it's the initial plunge that shocks you, but once you’re in, you realize it’s not so bad after all.