I Have No Excuses Left, I Have to Hit 'Record'

I Have No Excuses Left, I Have to Hit 'Record'

Published: October 31, 2025 • 4 min read

So this is probably going to be a short one as I'm sort of just pouring thoughts to paper. But five hours. That's how much time I spent watching this video to learn how to use DaVinci Resolve.

Now, as I've stated in previous blog posts, I do have experience creating and editing videos. First from having a YouTube channel where I used to teach math, to then making videos for my side hustle as a university student when I used to braid people's hair (I really should write about this soon), and then to recording over 60 training videos at Cambium Inc.

However, in all these roles, I never worked with a video editing tool as sophisticated as DaVinci Resolve.

Welcome to My SDR Era

Since I made the decision to stop applying for jobs, I had to give a name to this period. Let's call it my Skill Refinement Era. Or my Skill Development Era. Or my Skill Development and Refinement Era. Yes, that's it! My SDR Era.

The era where I add more tools to the toolbox called "Prisca's brain" while refining the already existing tools.

Since it's my SDR Era, and part of it will involve creating videos to talk about projects I am building, case studies I'm working on, etc., I figured it was worth investing the time to learn a sophisticated tool.

Why I Chose a 5-Hour Video

Before pressing play on the 5-hour video, I was very much aware that I could learn most of the stuff I needed to get started by choosing to watch a shorter video. However, the main reason I chose this one is that I believed this video was going to be comprehensive enough to expose me to all the foundational knowledge I needed to start creating high quality professional videos.

Most shorter videos would have probably only showed me things I already knew. However, this one exposed me to so many new concepts and ideas in video editing that I had never even thought of.

I don't believe I'll be using everything I learned as I start recording and editing videos, and I know it will probably take years of working with DaVinci Resolve to get to a more professional level. But regardless, I'm excited for the quality of videos I am going to be able to create with this new tool.

The Vulnerable Truth: I'm Terrified

Now another reason, perhaps a bit more vulnerable one, is that I think I am actually terrified. I want to do this, but I'm also scared. Because I have basically challenged myself to record videos not only in English but in French as well.

So a 5-hour video is the perfect way to procrastinate hitting record in this case, right?

You know, putting the fear down on paper (typing in this case, I guess) puts me at ease a little bit. At least I'm admitting to the fear.

But it's okay. I don't break promises I make to myself, so I'm going to record those videos.

The Moment of Truth

The 5 hours of learning is over. I've got no more excuses. I have to hit Record!

This is part of building in silence, part of reconnecting with that 16-year-old who started a YouTube channel despite not knowing what she was doing. Part of proving to myself that I can do hard things, even when they scare me.

So here's to imperfect first videos, to learning French on camera, to documenting the journey even when no one's watching yet. Here's to hitting record and trusting that the discomfort means I'm growing.

Thanks for reading!

This post is part of my "Reflection Stories" series, documenting the messy, honest moments of building a career in tech. Next time you hear from me, I'll hopefully have some videos to show for it.