Today I sat in an AI masterclass at a local coworking space - one of those rare, wonderful spots that centers women and creates actual space for us to learn and grow together. (Thank you Grace & The Hivery) And somewhere between the technical discussions and the hands-on exercises, something clicked.
I know this stuff.
Not just a little. Not just “enough to get by.” I actually know more than I thought I did.
The Teacher Who Changed My Perspective
The instructor, Hayley Nelson, was brilliant - confident without being arrogant, knowledgeable without gatekeeping. But what struck me most was how unapologetically she owned her expertise. She didn’t minimize. She didn’t caveat. She didn’t start sentences with “I’m not an expert, but...”
She just knew so many things about AI and shared them generously. I can’t wait to dive into Claude Projects and continue optimizing my websites for Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) instead of SEO.
And I realized: I’ve been doing the opposite. I’ve been shrinking. Qualifying. Second guessing myself and my new skill set.
Why? Because of some internalized voice telling me I shouldn’t because of this stupid reason or that.
Well, fuck that.
A Familiar Pattern
This reminds me so much of when I became a photographer. I remember sitting on hundreds of images I loved - images that felt me, that captured something true and beautiful—but being paralyzed by the fear of judgment.
What would people think? Would they take me seriously? Was it “good enough”?
Eventually, I learned the most important lesson of any creative practice: you have to silence those voices and put work into the world that you love. You have to trust yourself. You have to share it anyway.
The Sparkly Queer World I’ve Been Hiding
I’ve been creating something lately that brings me so much joy: a series of AI-generated images depicting this sparkly, vibrant, unapologetically queer world. The colors are bold. The aesthetics are camp meets cosmic. It’s strange and beautiful and exactly the kind of thing that makes my heart sing.
And I’ve been terrified to share it.
What if people don’t get it? What if they think AI art “doesn’t count”? Or if they dismiss it as 'slop’. What if they judge the queerness, the glitter, the unabashed celebration of it all?
But here’s what I realized today: those are the same voices I had to silence when I picked up a camera. And if I’d listened to them then, I would have missed out on years of creating work I’m proud of, connecting with people who resonated with my vision, and building something meaningful.
AI as Superpower
AI has become a superpower for me. It’s not replacing my creativity - it’s amplifying it. It’s letting me build worlds I couldn’t build before, explore aesthetics I couldn’t access, and bring visions to life at a speed that keeps up with my imagination.
And I’m good at it.
I’m good at prompting. I’m good at iterating. I’m good at understanding how different models work and what they’re capable of. I’m good at the creative direction and the technical execution.
I’m done feeling bad about that.
Going All In
So here’s what I’m doing from now on:
I’m sharing the sparkly queer worlds I create. I’m posting the images I love, even if they’re “too much” for some people. I’m talking about AI with confidence, because I’ve earned that confidence through hours of experimentation, learning, and practice.
I’m taking inspiration from that teacher who just owned what she knew. I’m taking inspiration from my younger self who decided to become a photographer despite the fear.
And I’m going all in.
Because the world needs more people who aren’t afraid to create boldly, to own their expertise, and to put beauty into the world - sparkly, queer, AI-generated, or otherwise.
If you’ve been sitting on work you love, waiting for permission or validation or the perfect moment: this is your sign. Share it. Own it. Go all in.
What work have you been too afraid to share? What expertise have you been minimizing? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
I LOVE your photos, not too much at all! So Girlboss coded! Also thank you so much for sharing your story so honestly. Sometimes looking backwards takes us forward in creative fields. Taking inspiration from our younger selves is actually a great way to approach this! 🩷🦩
THESE IMAGES ARE SO SICK!!! Honestly!! Stylistically they are gorgeous and u nailed the compositions! The colors! That’s your eye and your taste coming through. I have to silence that internal voice always second-guesses myself a lot too. Your post was such an honest reflection.. and I’m glad u found some who inspired you. This inspired me!