Was it really that bad though? I mean sanding is just part of the process for some projects. Feels like people make a bigger deal out of prep work than it needs to be. Sometimes you just gotta do it and move on.

My first logo looked like a clown threw up on a geometry test. I was so sure my color choices were genius, but the whole thing just fell apart. Starting in black and white feels like learning to walk before you try to run a marathon. It forces you to solve the actual layout problems instead of just hiding them with a nice shade of blue. I still skip it sometimes when I'm feeling cocky, and the results always remind me why the rule exists.

Trust your gut and post the work you're unsure about. I've had simple logos I hated become my most popular portfolio pieces. The audience often sees something you don't.