The First Wave Is Never Perfect (And That's Perfectly Okay)

There's this idea that when you start something new—especially something as challenging as writing—you have to be perfect. You look at the blank page, and you freeze. You want the first sentence to be a masterpiece.

But here's the truth I learned: the first wave is never perfect. It's usually messy, uncoordinated, and sometimes, it knocks you right off your board.

When I first started surfing, I spent more time underwater than on the board. I swallowed saltwater, got bruised, and felt ridiculous. But every time I fell, I learned something about the ocean. About balance. About timing.

Writing is the same. Your first draft is that first clumsy wave. It's essentially you trying to find your footing. And that is perfectly okay. In fact, it's necessary. You can't edit a blank page, just like you can't steer a stationary surfboard.