Summary

The article discusses the author's personal struggle with Imposter Syndrome in the context of writing and creative endeavors, despite a lack of formal training or background in creative writing.

Abstract

The author of the article candidly shares their experience with Imposter Syndrome, a psychological pattern where individuals doubt their accomplishments and fear being exposed as a "fraud." Despite starting a blog and publishing on Medium, the author grapples with insecurity and self-doubt, comparing themselves unfavorably to other writers. The article highlights the commonality of this feeling among successful individuals, including Maya Angelou and Meryl Streep, and emphasizes the importance of pushing through these doubts to continue creating and sharing one's work. The author encourages readers to recognize that these feelings are part of the creative process and to take heart in the fact that many accomplished people experience them.

Opinions

The author feels like an imposter despite having written a blog for over four years and submitting to prestigious publications like Illumination and AINYF.
The fear of being an imposter is linked to the author's lack of formal education in creative writing and the perception that other writers are more skilled.
The author finds some comfort in the knowledge that even highly successful people, such as Maya Angelou and Meryl Streep, have experienced Imposter Syndrome.
Seth Godin's perspective that feeling like an imposter is a sign of doing new and challenging work resonates with the author.
The author's insecurity is exacerbated by the visible success of other Medium writers, as measured by followers, claps, and comments.
Despite these fears, the author has found the courage to publish and acknowledges the satisfaction and pride that comes from taking on new challenges later in life.
The article suggests that acknowledging Imposter Syndrome and understanding its prevalence can help individuals to overcome their insecurities and continue pursuing their creative passions.

Are You an Imposter or the Real Deal — A True Creative Being?

The Imposter Syndrome is alive and thriving — don’t allow your insecurity to stop you in your creative tracks.

I’m a fraud. I have no business writing on Medium.

I have no right to think I’m any good. I don’t have a degree in creative writing.

I began writing publicly five years ago, and my only previous experience was writing daily in my journal.

Writing for real

I began writing a blog and publishing weekly. I started it at the suggestion of friends who believed I had many exciting adventures to share.

I submitted my first article to Medium in January of 2021, dared by a friend who became my writing partner.

That’s when the fear of being an imposter set in.

Here, I am writing as if I have the skill or a background in creative writing. Or, at the very least, was an outstanding English student.

Nope, none of the above. Where do I get the nerve to write and publish on Medium? And now I’m audacious enough to submit to Illumination, AINYF, Black Bear, and others.

The author is licensed by stock.adobe.com for the use of the photo.

I want to write. I enjoy writing. It brings me satisfaction and pride that I have taken on a new challenge in the Third Third of my life.

That is until the moment arrives to pull the trigger and Publish.

The self-doubt descends on me — who do I think I am?

The other writers are far superior, more clever, and certainly more intelligent and talented than I am.

Imposter Syndrome is the fear that you will discover you haven’t a clue what you’re doing.

According to the website MedLife:

Imposter Syndrome is an emotional and mental state where an individual refuses to give credit to their own hard work and talent for their successes.

Be brave

I gathered my courage and nerve and hit Publish. I rationalized that I have accomplished far more significant and more daunting undertakings than publishing a little article online. What’s the big deal, anyway?

Still, the insecurity and doubt linger.

As Seth Godin says in his book The Practice — Shipping Creative Work:

I feel like an imposter often. That’s because my best work involves doing things I’ve never done before.

Ok, so there we have it. Writing is new to me.

Yes, I wrote every week on my blog for over four years (I’ve since closed that blog to write exclusively for Medium, Illumination, and other publications.) That should’ve given me a bit of confidence. However, those readers are primarily friends and very accepting.

Medium feels like the big time in comparison. I see the followers, claps, and comments other writers collect, which feeds my insecurity.

Still, as Seth states:

This psychological syndrome slams us when we attempt to do something new.

At least I’m not alone. I’m in good, nay — excellent company!

Maya Angelou was afraid people would realize her scam.

Meryl Streep feels she is not beautiful and is a character artist.

Tom Hanks says he feels like a conman.

Dr. Margaret Chou, the head of WHO twice, is surprised people consider her an expert!

How could this be? The Imposter Syndrome is insidious and spares few of us.

Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash

Regrettably, the Imposter Syndrome is not fussy about when or where it will strike. It wallops me when I’m attempting a new collage or painting. This particular creative endeavor is where I am most vulnerable.

I credit this encounter with the syndrome to my dad, a professional artist, for a time. He made it clear I didn’t have any talent in this area. Of course, I believed him; I was an innocent child.

Eventually, I decided the hell with his opinion and dipped my brush, and began to paint. I was in mid-life at this point — having been successful in parenting, careers, and such- but the imposter still appeared.

I forged on and am proud of quite a few pieces I created; imposter be damned.

What about you?

What area are you most affected by the Imposter Syndrome — writing, sports, entertaining? This condition will strike anywhere, anytime. We must press on, believing in ourselves.

If you find yourself asking yourself (and your friends) ‘Am I really a writer? Am I really an artist?’ Chances are you are. The counterfeit innovator is wildly self-confident. The real one is scared to death. — Steven Pressfield.

That is the best news. That is precisely what we doubters need to hear and remember.

There is a possibility that believing we are the real deal may boost our self-confidence in our chosen field, knowing we are genuine innovators.

Reading these uplifting quotes won’t convince us overnight that we are authentic writers, artists, chefs, and potters. However, this is a jumping-off point to believing we are bonafide and legit.

Can you tell that Imposter Syndrome to take a hike?

Remember, you are joining the ranks of countless talented artists, actors, musicians, and others dealing with this ailment.

Give yourself deserved credit for venturing forward in your chosen craft.

Silence that imposter by continuing to deliver your goods. The world is waiting.