Let’s Have A Talk About Imposter Syndrome

 Let’s Have A Talk About Imposter Syndrome

Hello my fellow writers! Sorry I haven’t posted anything writing-related in a while, I've been busy… but let’s talk about Imposter Syndrome. 

I have recently been feeling very overwhelmed when it comes to writing, and experiencing a lot of imposter syndrome, which made me realize… I should write something on this. Every writer has or will get some feelings of imposter syndrome, and knowing what to do when you get it is necessary.

What Is Imposter Syndrome?

The Merriam-Webster definition of imposter syndrome is this: [“]a psychological condition that is characterized by persistent doubt concerning one's abilities or accomplishments accompanied by the fear of being exposed as a fraud despite evidence of one's ongoing success[.”] 

In a sentence, it's this: feeling like you are not good at writing (in this case), and that you are a fraud, despite the fact that you are not. 

It’s a choking sense that makes you want to put away your computer, your pens… it makes you want to quit, because how can you be good enough? What if your writing is terrible and people are only being nice? How could you write about this specific subject when you're not the leading expert? 

Those are all imposter-syndrome thoughts, ones that I’ve had. 

Let’s get on to the next section: what to do.

What Do I Do When I Have Impostor Syndrome?

Talk to someone. I know this advice isn’t what you might want to hear, but it can’t (normally) be fixed by just… hoping it goes away. It likes to fester and grow, turning from whispers to shouts, and the best way to combat that, and hopefully get rid of it, is to just… talk.

While I highly recommend talking to someone, you can also (and I know this may sound silly) talk to yourself.

Sometimes just getting the words out, just saying what you feel, can help. If you have a tendency to bottle up emotions, I know it’s hard to want to say those feelings out loud, but… even just saying it to yourself can help you take a look at those words and begin to think it through.

Because, when you really think about it, are you bad at writing, or is it just a first draft? Are you really, truly, unqualified to write about what you are writing about? 

This is where talking to someone really helps. Because they can tell you, plainly, that you are not a bad writer, that you can push through, and that you have, most importantly, something to say.

As my parents would say: this is where the rubber meets the road. This is where you decide if you are going to listen to the little critic in your head, or if you are going to push through your feelings of inadequacy and stop.

Now, onto my final section…

Encouragement

There are people out there that will love your story. There are people that will hate it. But, you have to remember that you are not doing it for them, but for yourself. Why did you start writing? Why did you continue on with your journey of the written word?

Remembering these reasons can bolster you, remind you of why you started and why you should continue. Maybe it’s to get your thoughts out into the world, or give light to someone’s darkness, or even the darkness inside of yourself.

Whatever the reason, your story matters, and so do you.

Just focus on the next step, the next few words. Don’t think long-term right now, and, for the next few days, just work on what is directly in front of you. It will help.

I hope this helps anyone going through Imposter Syndrome.

If you would be so kind, would you consider following my blog so you know when I post? Or, maybe checking out my Youtube or Goodreads?

At the bare minimum, make sure to remember that you are an awesome person, and have a good day.