Contributing to open source can be intimidating due to the potential for harsh criticism from maintainers, the pressure to feel skilled enough to contribute, and the fear of being judged by peers in a "gift economy" where reputation is crucial. New contributors may struggle with choosing which project to start with, given the vast number of options available. However, by following practical strategies such as researching projects, reviewing contribution guidelines, asking maintainers for guidance, making non-technical contributions, focusing on building reputation through reliability and consistency, and starting small, new contributors can overcome these fears and contribute effectively to open source projects.