Episode 1 : The Joy of Imperfect Beginnings with Dimitra Tzanos
Starting something new can feel overwhelming. The doubts, fears, and technical hurdles often make us question if we’re ready. But waiting for the perfect moment only keeps us stuck. In the first episode of Creative Diaries, I dive into the concept of imperfect beginnings—the idea that starting doesn’t require perfection, just action.
When I first considered launching Creative Diaries, I was full of doubts. What if I wasn’t a good interviewer? What if my voice sounded strange? What if I couldn’t handle the tech? These questions almost held me back. But as I started speaking with other creatives, I realized that many of us struggle with the same fears. The key isn’t waiting until we feel fully prepared—it’s taking action and figuring things out along the way.
A philosophy that really helped me embrace this mindset is wabi-sabi, the Japanese concept of finding beauty in imperfection. Creativity isn’t about achieving flawlessness—it’s about expressing, evolving, and appreciating the process. Seth Godin’s wisdom also reinforced this idea: success isn’t about waiting until we’re 100% ready. It’s about starting, experimenting, and learning through doing.
So what holds us back? Perfectionism, fear of failure, and comparison. We often believe our first attempt must be flawless, but that’s unrealistic. Fear of failure keeps us from experimenting, yet mistakes are how we grow. And comparison makes us believe others are far ahead—when in reality, we’re often seeing their middle while we’re just beginning.
To overcome these challenges, we need to shift our mindset. Adopt a growth mindset—see imperfections as learning opportunities. Start before you feel ready—because that perfect moment will never come. And celebrate small wins—each step forward, no matter how small, matters. These shifts won’t erase fear, but they’ll help you keep moving, one step at a time.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from launching this podcast is that starting imperfectly is better than not starting at all. If I had waited until everything felt right, Creative Diaries wouldn’t exist today. The process itself has been an incredible teacher, and every episode is a reminder that growth happens through action.
Imperfect beginnings aren’t just part of the creative process—they’re essential to it. Every artist, entrepreneur, and creative person I’ve spoken to has a similar story. No one starts as an expert, but those who succeed are the ones who start anyway.
🎧 Want to dive deeper into this conversation? Listen to the full episode of Creative Diaries here and get inspired to reclaim your creative confidence!
Key Takeaways from This Episode:
Imperfect beginnings are essential. Waiting for the perfect moment only keeps you stuck. Start where you are, and learn as you go.
Perfectionism is the enemy of progress. Your first step doesn’t need to be flawless—it just needs to happen.
Fear of failure is natural, but failure is part of growth. Every mistake teaches you something valuable.
Comparison is misleading. Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle. Everyone starts somewhere.
Small steps lead to big progress. Celebrate the small wins—each one gets you closer to your goals.
About Dimitra Tzanos
Dimitra Tzanos is a designer and artist whose journey from South Africa to Greece has shaped her distinctive creative style. Growing up in a culturally rich environment, she developed a passion for art early on, inspired by the vibrant traditions around her. Her work blends hand-drawn techniques with digital refinement, creating intricate patterns and bold compositions that reflect her African and Greek heritage.
Influenced by iconic artists like Henri Matisse and Joan Miró, as well as the geometric motifs of Ndebele and Zulu art, her designs are a fusion of cultural storytelling and modern aesthetics. With a background in marketing and graphic design, Dimitra seamlessly bridges the artistic and business worlds. In 2025, she launched The Creative Diaries Podcast, featuring weekly conversations with creatives about the creative process, limiting beliefs, branding and marketing, and AI. Passionate about sharing knowledge, she encourages others to embrace their creativity and build meaningful, visually captivating work. Through her art, storytelling, and teaching, Dimitra hopes to inspire and connect with a global creative community, fostering a deeper appreciation for artistic expression and cultural heritage.
📌 Explore Dimitra’s portfolio of work here and follow her journey on Instagram.
📖 Interested in learning more about her creative journey? Click here to read more!