Gatekeep anything, but not your potential.


You’ve probably heard the phrase “Keep showing up.”
Yeah… it’s become a bit of a cliché at this point. So let me say it differently:
👉🏽 Gatekeep anything, but not your potential.
Let me tell you a little secret: I’m a naturally shy person.
Actually, let me rephrase that I used to be a very shy person.
If I had my way, I’d probably delete all my social media, buy a one-way ticket to Greece, settle in a quiet town, find a neighbor named Matilda, and just live a soft, quiet life.
But here's the thing: I know I’m capable of so much more.
I want to do more.
And at the same time, I struggle with showing what I can do.
That inner tension between potential and fear is probably why you’re still reading this. Because maybe you feel it too.
You’ve got things you want to create.
You’ve got ideas, dreams, talents, and stories that you want to share with the world.
But then... the doubts creep in.
“What if they don’t like it?”
“What will people say?”
“Ugh, this feels so cringe.”
Sounds familiar? Let me walk you through the mindset shifts that helped me step into the light and start building an audience that doesn’t just see my work, but resonates with it:
1. “What if they don’t like it?”
Then you learn. That’s it.
Feedback isn’t the end of the world… it’s just data.
Let it shape the next thing you create. Growth happens when you listen, not when you hide.
2. “What will people say?”
What won’t they say?! 😂
The truth is, people will always have something to say. And guess what? That’s none of your business.
There are 8.2 billion people on Earth. Are you really going to let the opinion of one random Twitter troll stop you?
Zoom out. This entire planet is a speck in the universe. Do your thing.
3. “But it feels cringe…”
Yes. It is cringe — at first.
But everything feels awkward when it’s new.
You feel it more because you’re the one doing it, and your inner critic has a long, loud checklist of expectations. But motion kills cringe. You’ve got to start to stop feeling stuck.
Real Talk:
Showing up is hard. It takes guts.
But it’s also the only way to live a life that isn’t painfully average.
You were blessed with potential for a reason.
Imagine dying ordinary, when you were never meant to blend in.
Gatekeep anything your skincare routine, your music playlists, your favorite coffee shop.
But not your potential. Never that.
Let the world see what you’re made of.
Even if it’s scary.
Even if it’s messy.
Even if it’s cringe.
Show up anyway.
Please note:
I’m not trying to motivate you. Honestly, I don’t care — but if you don’t show up, you’re Gay :)
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Written by

Daniel Esuola
Daniel Esuola
I help startups, creative brands, and ecommerce businesses build websites that turn visitors into customers. Whether it's a sleek landing page, a robust multi-page site, or a custom CMS solution—I've got you covered.