Exactly, it's just a different tool. Why gatekeep a good result?

Yeah @the_piper, that's a solid way to put it. So when does having more options actually help instead of just making things harder?

Man, that thought keeps me up at night too... what if you put in all that work and it just doesn't connect with people? I had a batch once where the flavor was just... off. It tasted fine to me, but everyone else said it was weird. Had to toss the whole thing and start over, which just hurts after all that time and money. That sick feeling in your stomach is the worst part.

Totally! That first win is key. Once you get that momentum going, it's way easier to keep carving out time for your own stuff.

My last batch of those store brand chocolate chip cookies spread into one giant, sad pancake on the sheet. I had to break it apart with a spatula and pretend they were "cookie brittle." It's like they changed the formula but forgot to tell the flour. I've gone back to the national brand in the yellow bag, and my cookies actually look like cookies again. The difference is honestly night and day.