Imposter syndrome is a genuine phenomenon and can be especially difficult for artists to deal with. It’s that insecurity you get when you start to doubt your talent or success. It’s the fear that someone will discover that you are a fraud, that your work isn’t as good as it could be, or that you’re not worthy of the accolades and recognition you have received. Believe me, it can be crippling, but please don’t let this keep you from expressing yourself creatively!
Imposter Syndrome Is Common
It’s important to remember that imposter syndrome is incredibly common. Every artist has had moments where they’ve felt like a fraud—even the most successful ones! Tina Fey, for example, a comedic genius and writer extraordinaire, once stated, “The beauty of the impostor syndrome is you vacillate between extreme egomania, and a complete feeling of: ‘I’m a fraud! Oh god, they’re onto me! I’m a fraud!’” she has said, adding, “So you just try to ride the egomania when it comes and enjoy it, and then slide through the idea of fraud. Seriously, I’ve just realized that almost everyone is a fraud, so I try not to feel too bad about it.”
Of course, everyone deals with this feeling differently, but what’s important is to recognize it for what it is and take steps to combat it. Here are some tips I discovered when dealing with imposter syndrome:
1) Celebrate Your Successes: Remind yourself that your successes are real and deserved. Celebrate them every chance you get, whether it’s by taking yourself out for dinner or buying yourself something nice. Acknowledge how far you’ve come and how much progress you’ve made!
2) Get Feedback From Others: Ask people whose opinion you trust and respect (e.g., fellow artists, mentors, art curators) to give their honest feedback on your work. This can help remind you of everything that makes your art unique and special—and boost your confidence in the process!
3) Reframe Your Thoughts: When those negative thoughts start creeping in, try reframing them into positive statements instead. For example, if you’re worried about failure, try telling yourself, “I’m going to do my best work and learn from any mistakes I make.” Doing this can help shift your mindset from fear to optimism and motivation!
We all experience imposter syndrome at some point or another—it’s normal! The key is to recognize these feelings for what they are and take steps to combat them. Remember to celebrate your successes, seek feedback from others, and reframe negative thoughts into positive ones. By doing so, you’ll be able to keep exploring new creative possibilities without letting fear hold you back!