Hey everyone,
Happy New Year! As we step into 2026, I wanted to start this newsletter on a personal note. If you've been following along (or if this is your first time here—welcome!), you might know I enjoy creating neon-illuminated AI art and trading stock. But here's the truth: every time I sit down to write one of these, a wave of stage fright hits me hard.
It's like all my insecurities come rushing back—the voice in my head saying, "Who are you to share this? You're not good enough." Honestly, Ai is helping me write a lot of this, but this is extremely accurate, and while inside I feel like I’m not worthy or good enough to write a newsletter and “why would anyone ever ready anything of mine?” A lot of that stems from my upbringing, which wired me with a bit of an inferiority complex. Maybe some of you can relate; it's that nagging doubt that holds us back from putting ourselves out there. It’s been there my entire life, and it’s time for it to stop.
Did you know that I’m a member of the Screen Actors Guild? You can’t just join, you have to do enough work, or get enough union hours, so that you qualify to join. It also cost me $1200 in 1993.
How many auditions did I go on? ZERO. All because I was too scared to even try. I was right there. I had done extra work on so many movies, tv shows, and commercials, that I can’t even remember them all. Well, I remember Forrest Gump. It’s how I qualified for my SAG card.
Really though, what a waste that I didn’t even try.
But guess what? This year, I'm committing to pushing through it. No more letting fear win. I'm going to show up consistently, experiment with ideas, and aim to create content that's not just good, but increasingly better. Whether it's sharing insights on AI art techniques, stock trading tips, stories, or other ideas, I want this newsletter to evolve with me—and hopefully, inspire you along the way.
If you're dealing with your own version of "stage fright" in whatever you're pursuing, know this: starting is the hardest part. Let's make 2026 the year we all get a little more comfortable in the spotlight.
What's one thing you're committing to this year? Reply to this email—I'd love to hear and maybe feature some in a future edition.
Thanks for being here. More to come soon!
Best, NEON
P.S. If you enjoyed this (or even if you didn't—feedback helps!), consider sharing it with a friend who might need a nudge to start their own thing.