Why Bother? Because That's How You Get Noticed

In a world where everyone seems to be a designer, creator, or freelancer, it’s easy to think: Why bother? Why start that side project? Why share your process? Why write about your experiences when it feels like everything has already been said?

Here’s the thing: that defeated “Why bother?” mindset is exactly what separates those who get noticed from those who don’t.

The Paradox of Standing Out

Every day, countless talented creatives talk themselves out of sharing their work, starting their newsletter, or launching their portfolio. Their reasoning usually sounds something like this:

• "The market is saturated."
• "Everything's been done before."
• "No one will care about my perspective."

But here’s the paradox: while so many creatives think this way, very few actually put themselves out there. The space for genuine, consistent creators is far less crowded than you might think.

The Power of Showing Up When Others Don’t

Think about the last time you scrolled through Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn. You probably saw the same handful of designers and creators consistently sharing their work and insights. They’re not necessarily more talented than everyone else—they just bothered to show up.

These creators understand something crucial: Visibility isn’t just about talent; it’s about persistence. While others wait for permission or the perfect moment, they simply start. They share their works in progress, document their failures, and engage with their community—even when it feels like shouting into the void.

What "Bothering" Actually Looks Like

Getting noticed isn’t about grand gestures or viral hits. It’s about small, consistent actions that compound over time:

• Share your process video—even if it’s not perfect.
• Write about your design decisions—even if no one is reading yet.
• Post your work-in-progress—even if it’s unfinished.
• Engage with other creators—even if your following is small.

Each of these actions might feel insignificant in the moment. But together, they create a body of work that makes you increasingly difficult to ignore.

The Hidden Benefits of "Bothering"

While visibility is the obvious benefit of putting yourself out there, there are deeper advantages that often go unnoticed:

• You develop a clearer voice. Every time you share your work or perspective, you refine your point of view. Your unique take on design, creativity, or business becomes sharper and more distinct.
• You build resilience. Getting comfortable with sharing your work publicly makes you more resilient to criticism and more open to feedback. This resilience becomes invaluable as your career grows.
• You create opportunities for serendipity. When you consistently put your work out there, you create more chances for the right person to discover you at the right time.

Breaking Through the "Why Bother?" Barrier

If you're stuck in the "Why bother?" mindset, here’s how to push through:

• Start impossibly small. Don’t aim to write a manifesto—start with a tweet about what you learnt today. Don’t wait for a complete portfolio—share one piece you’re proud of.
• Focus on documentation over creation. Sometimes, the pressure to create something new prevents us from sharing at all. Instead, focus on documenting what you’re already doing. What challenges did you face today? How did you solve them?
• Build before you need it. The best time to start sharing your work is before you actually

The Real Reason to Bother

At the end of the day, the reason to bother isn’t just about getting noticed. It’s about contributing to the creative community you want to be part of. It’s about helping others who are a few steps behind you on their journey. It’s about creating the kind of industry you want to work in.

Every time you share your work, write about your experience, or engage with others in your field, you’re not just building your own visibility—you’re helping create a more open, collaborative creative community.

So why bother? Because your voice matters. Because someone needs to hear exactly what you have to say. Because the creative industry becomes richer and more diverse when more people share their perspectives.

The next time you find yourself thinking, "Why bother?" remember: that’s exactly how you get noticed.

Keep creating, keep sharing, keep showing up. The ones who bother are the ones who get noticed.

Until next time,
—Gary