Why Content Creation Feels Cringy After 40 (And How to Get Over It)

Let’s be honest: content creation after 40 feels kind of embarrassing—and I’m not here to sugarcoat it. If you’re a millennial or Gen X like me, you probably didn’t grow up documenting your life for the world to see. Social media? It didn’t exist. And the idea of kids having smartphones in elementary school? Laughable, right? I just turned 46 last month, yea I know its hard to believe but you know the saying.. black don’t crack lol

I didn’t even have a cell phone in hight school but Maybe you got your first cell phone in high school, just to call mom for a pick-up. Now here we are in a digital space where it feels like people are constantly creating, posting, sharing, often without a second thought. But for us, it can feel cringy. And that fear of feeling judged holds so many of us back from ever hitting “record.”

Trust me I know first hand because it took me a very long time to pick up a phone and start recording for YouTube because I am such an introvert, but it definitely gets easier the more you do it.

But here’s the truth: if you’re trying to build an online business, creating content is non-negotiable. So how do you get past these feelings? That’s what I’m going through, too. Let’s tackle this fear together.

Generational Gap: Why Content Creation Feels So Hard

We weren’t raised to be “content creators.” We grew up in a world where making yourself the center of attention was often seen as boastful or inappropriate. Opening up, being real, feeling vulnerable? Letting people peer into your life online? That wasn’t our default setting.

We’re used to privacy, and many of us were taught to keep our emotions close. So the idea of putting our thoughts, voices, and faces online for the entire world to see feels downright uncomfortable. Even worse? Imagining friends, family, or coworkers watching it. We get in over our heads thinking about all the what ifs!

For Gen Z, sharing every emotion or opinion online is second nature. But for those of us over 40, it’s like stepping into a world we never prepared for. And those awkward feelings? They’re totally normal given how we grew up.

The Emotional Block: Why Public Content Feels So Cringy

Being over 40 in a social media-driven world comes with its own set of anxieties. Let’s face it: we weren’t raised to perform in front of a camera or open up emotionally in front of strangers. Let alone… the people who know us. The anxiety, the cringe—it’s a result of the conditioning from when we were young.

You grew up with a clear boundary between your public and private life. Now, social media has blurred those lines. Whether it’s chatting into the void of YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok, it feels like you’re “exposing” yourself—and that can be hard to overcome. The fear of looking ridiculous, or worse, coming off as cringy, keeps many of us from truly showing up.

But here’s why you can’t let that fear win: the world has shifted, and if you’re building a business or personal brand, you need to be seen. People are more likely to connect with brands or creators that feel human. And guess what? You don’t have to be perfect to feel relatable. Nobody’s asking you to be flawless.

Content Creation Is Essential for Business (Like It or Not)

Can you grow your business through word-of-mouth or local networking? Absolutely. But if you’re trying to scale beyond your immediate community or tap into a global market, online content is key. The internet allows you to reach an audience far bigger than anything you’d get from your local meet-and-greets.

Building a personal brand is especially important right now. As businesses and brands strive to feel more human, they want real faces, real stories, real connections. You have years of experiences under your belt—insight and knowledge that younger generations would pay a premium for. So, don’t let the cringe stop you from sharing that wealth of wisdom with people .

Accepting the Awkwardness: Why It Won’t Always Feel Good

Let’s get one thing straight: I’m not going to sit here and tell you to “just do it.” That advice never worked for me either. In fact, it’s not realistic for you to think that you can simply push the embarrassment away. Creating content is going to feel awkward, especially at first.

But here’s what I’ve learned: Cringe is part of the process. If you don’t feel cringy at some point, you’re likely over-preparing or getting too stuck on perfecting it. You’ll always feel something—anxiety, fear, even shame. What matters is allowing yourself to feel those things without letting them freeze you in place. Accept it. It means you’re doing something bold and new.

There’s no magic trick here. You’re going to face stumbling blocks. Sometimes you’ll sit in front of the camera and freeze. Maybe you’ll record a video and hate the way you look or sound. We’ve all been there. Truthfully, these feelings aren’t something to “overcome” once and for all—they’re part of the process, and once you accept them, they start to lose their power over you. After that you will be spitting out videos like a pro.

Finding Your Why: The Key to Pushing Past Fear

The trick isn’t to eliminate those uncomfortable feelings. The trick is to find a powerful reason to hit record despite them. What’s your why? Why do you want to create content? Why put yourself through the discomfort and the fear?

Maybe it’s because you want to grow your online business enough to quit your 9-5. Or maybe your why is even more personal—you want to show your kids that even after 40, you can still chase new dreams.

Whatever your why is, make sure it’s strong enough to pull you through those cringy moments. No amount of gear or strategy will do that. The only thing that can get you in front of the camera over and over again with all your fears and anxiety is a deeply personal reason for showing up—something that makes the discomfort worth it.

The Truth About Gear and Over-Planning

Do you know what I used to do all the time? Buy all the gear. Lights. Microphones. Tripods. And I’d spend hours planning out content calendars, working on strategies, designing thumbnails. I’m not saying that stuff isn’t important, but for me, it became an excuse. I obsessed over everything but the one thing that mattered—was actually creating the content.

I’d sit there, all set up, and still feel embarrassed, still feel cringy, still feel stuck. I thought if I just had more preparation, I could eliminate that feeling. But no setup eliminates the fear. Gear can boost quality, but it won’t boost your confidence.

Stop letting these distractions keep you from starting. Yes, buy a decent microphone and a camera if you can. But don’t overthink it. If you have an iPhone or a phone with a good camera just set it up on a tripod and get to recording you can get all the fancy stuff later! The magic sauce is hitting record even when it feels awkward, messy, and unpolished. Overplanning won’t make the cringe vanish; it’ll just delay the inevitable.

Embrace the Messiness: Cringe Is Not the Enemy

Here’s what no one tells you: feeling embarrassed doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. Perfection doesn’t resonate, but authenticity does. You have stories, experiences, and insights that matter—and someone out there is waiting for you to share them.

Look, you’re going to stumble. Your early videos won’t be viral hits cause mine definitely was not. If you’re waiting for it to feel easy or fun, you’re going to be waiting forever. Cringe isn’t just part of the process—it’s the price of entry.

If it feels cringy and awkward? You’re probably doing it right. That feeling of stumbling into something uncharted means you’re growing, and growth never happens in comfort zones.

Conclusion: Show Up, Messy and All

As someone trying to create content after 40, know this: you’re not alone. The shame, fear, and anxiety are real, but they don’t have to stop you. Find your why—your powerful reason—and let that be the thing that pushes you into action, no matter how cringy it feels.

You’ve got two simple steps: accept the awkwardness, and find your reason to keep showing up. The world needs your voice and your experience. Don’t let the cringe win. Just hit record.

And trust me, you’re more prepared than you think. You’re ready.

drop your fears in the comment section so we can help you get past them. like and subscribe to this channel for more content like this and if you recorded your first video leave a link so I can show you some love! see you later!