What if I’m not good enough?
What if I got lucky?
What if everyone realises I’m a fraud?
imposter syndrome takes self-doubt to a whole other level
You doubt your skills, talents, and accomplishments, and feel like a fraud thinking other people have their shit together…
That they’re more confident… creative… talented… just plain better than you are…
Related to perfectionism – something I’ve struggled with for years – there’s a pressure to perform at 100% at all times.
And as a result, every now and again it rears its head as I share a photo:
“You’re not good enough. Fake. Fraud. Imposter.”
but, lately, I’ve come to the realisation that I am good enough
Sure, I never studied photography at university, and I don’t have a piece of paper to say I am qualified.
But if I were to add up all the hours I’ve pored over books, videos I’ve watched, articles read, notes studied, courses consumed, the shutter clicked… and clicked… and clicked… and clicked… and clicked… I would have completed three degrees over.
So, I’ve started telling my feelings of being an imposter to fuck off.
(side note: one of my favourite quotes from Helen Mirren “At 70 years old, if I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be to use the words ‘fuck off’ much more frequently.”)
There’s no answer on why some people experience imposter syndrome, and it’s believed that upwards of 70% of people experience it.
Is it part of your personality trait?
Or is it a residual behaviour leftover from childhood?
Regardless of its origins, it can be quite damaging to your confidence.
The only way to stop feeling like an impostor is to stop thinking like an impostor.
It is possible to overcome imposter syndrome though.
One of the first steps to addressing it is to acknowledge it.
Like I did, with the realisation that I don’t need that piece of paper to prove I am a photographer. I’ve put in the hours. I have passion and dedication to my craft.
I. Am. A. Photographer.
Now, you’re going to experience moments of doubt. It’s normal.
But, don’t let imposter syndrome hold you back!
Instead, learn to recognise the signs.
Reframe your negative thoughts.
Be humble about your hard work and accomplishments.
And celebrate your successes.
Tell that inner perfectionist to fuck off.
Talk your feelings through with someone you trust.
Show yourself some compassion.
And embrace those feelings, to use that energy to pursue your goals.
I’m hoping that sharing my feelings of, and about, imposter syndrome will encourage others to talk about it too.
because you’re not alone
Some of the most successful and accomplished women (and men) have felt like a fraud.
Prizewinning author, Maya Angelou said that every time she wrote a new book she would think to herself: “Uh-oh, they’re going to find out now. I’ve run a game on everybody.”
So, whenever that little voice in your head starts to say “Fake. Fraud. Imposter.”, stop, pause and take a deep breath, smile and say:
