Imposter Syndrome

I have recently seen several discussions on social media from Facebook to TikTok about Imposter Syndrome, and truthfully, I’m dealing with a bit of it myself. So, it goes to prove that being a writer, my first thought is to pin a blog and even doing a video on it. What is Imposter Syndrome, what causes it and why am I dealing with it…again?

What is Imposter Syndrome? It is a mental block that can cause creative people to doubt their abilities to perform even when they have evidence of past success.

What causes Imposter Syndrome? I think we do this to ourselves but I’m also going to attribute it to a few other factors, at least in my own experience. Weather, I have noticed that cold, dreary weather can influence IS, whether it is the cause or just a contributing factor I’m not sure but there seems to be more people talking about it during these yucky weather months. Health, when you don’t feel good whether it is physical or mental health, it influences everything else in your life and especially your creativity. Wealth, if you are experiencing financial difficulties, you may find yourself doubting your abilities because there is a bit of desperation attached to your success. Success and or failure can also contribute to IS. If you have recently failed at a project, you may feel defeated or you might be inspired to improve, but if you have had great success, especially success you weren’t quite ready for or sure you deserve, you might feel the pressure to perform. How will I do as well a second or third or twentieth time? Other people’s expectations can also influence our own expectations. If someone expects us to fail, we might react with well, I’m going to succeed just to show them or if we have a setback, we might start to believe them. If that person feels we are going to succeed and do wonderful things, it might be a lot of pressure to not let them down.

Our minds work in weird ways. Most of the cautions our brains tell us are to keep us safe but sometimes, the brain will confuse a minor fear such as failure with a major fear such as death. For us, to fail might feel like death, death of a dream or a career, but most successful people will tell you not to fear failure. In order to succeed you have to be willing to fail.

Over the years I’ve read several experts talk about Imposter Syndrome, self-doubt, and even our fears of failure and success, and in truth, I feel that these are all linked together especially for a creative. No matter if you are an artist or a teacher, a singer or a salesperson, fear can cripple us and make it difficult to do our best. Not everyone doubts themselves, my husband is one of the most confident people I know. He has times when he doesn’t know how to do something, but he doesn’t beat himself up about it. If he doesn’t know he seeks answers. He might try to find out how to do it or find someone who knows how who can do it for him, or he’ll look for an alternative for what needs to be done. But he doesn’t belittle himself for not knowing.

As indie authors and perhaps many of the traditional authors feel this way too, we have to wear many hats and do many jobs, many of which we may feel overwhelmed by either its not a natural talent or something we know a lot about, and if we don’t have the finances to hire it done, we have to learn how to do it ourselves. Fighting Imposter Syndrome is one of the reasons I belong to several writers’ and authors’ groups, because within these groups there are people with different personalities and capabilities who are willing to share their expertise, and why I feel it’s important to be honest with other writers about the good, the bad and the ugly side of being a writer. It’s not always easy, but this is a job I love. It’s a passion and a dream. Perhaps it is because we care so much about it that we sometimes feel inadequate.

How do you combat Imposter Syndrome? I think the first thing is just to recognize it as a mental health thing. It’s our brain trying to protect us, but we don’t need this kind of protection. So, we need to find what works for us. There’s not a one size fits all solution. For some the answer it to just keep working and eventually it will disappear. Some of us need to find the source of the problem and deal with that, or at least just admit that it is the culprit. And still, the best way I know is to have your battle gear ready. Be armed with the knowledge that while you might not know everything about the craft of writing, you are learning, the same can be said of whatever weakness you feel has derailed you. Talk to your writer friends. Share your fears. Get a few pats on the back or kicks in the butt from your support group and then face your fears. Facing our fears are the only way to get over them and it’s not easy.

When I first started sharing my writing, I compared it to standing in the Walmart parking lot naked shouting look at me. Well, sometimes I think that might be easier. Remember to be kind to yourselves, as creatives we often open ourselves up and use past hurts, deep emotions or just empathize with our characters and that can make us vulnerable to the blues. Add in bad weather, a crappy review and money woes and suddenly our egos are taking a spiral. Find what makes you stronger and brings you out of your tailspin whether it’s a visit with friends, a walk in the woods or listening to music. Find what heals you and be kind to yourself.