Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
Building Emotional Resilience as a Creative Professional
Imposter syndrome, something so many of us in the creative and self-employed world struggle with, yet hardly anyone talks about openly. That persistent voice in your head saying, "You’re not good enough," "Everyone else knows what they’re doing," or "You’re just faking it, and someone will find out."
Sound familiar? I know when I was working in the corporate world I often thought, someone will find me out soon... I just thought I was winging it...
For creatives and solopreneurs, imposter syndrome can be a constant companion. After all, when your work is an extension of yourself, your art, your ideas, your passion, the stakes feel personal. And when you're the sole person responsible for your business or career, that pressure can be overwhelming.
You’re not alone, and there are ways to build emotional resilience and push through those self-doubts.
Why Creatives Are More Prone to Imposter Syndrome
Creativity, by its nature, is subjective. You’re often creating something new, something personal, and putting it out there for others to critique, appreciate, or reject. It’s deeply vulnerable work.
Imposter syndrome can sneak in when you start comparing yourself to others, doubting your talents, or believing that any success you’ve had was just a matter of luck or timing rather than your own skill.
For self-employed individuals, this feeling can be compounded by the fact that you wear many hats, CEO, marketer, creative, accountant and may not feel like you’re doing any of those roles well enough. It’s easy to think, “I’m not qualified for this,” especially when you’re learning as you go.
How Imposter Syndrome Manifests
Some common signs of imposter syndrome include:
Downplaying your achievements: You chalk up your successes to external factors like luck or help from others, rather than acknowledging your own effort and talent.
Fear of failure: You’re terrified of being “found out” as a fraud, so you avoid taking risks or trying new things.
Perfectionism: You push yourself to unrealistic standards and feel like a failure if you fall short.
Comparing yourself to others: You constantly measure your progress against others, feeling like you’ll never measure up.
Does any of this resonate with you?
Building Emotional Resilience: The Key to Pushing Through
Emotional resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks, challenges, or criticism. It’s what helps you keep going when imposter syndrome tries to drag you down.
For creative professionals and self-employed individuals, emotional resilience is critical because your work is personal. Without resilience, it's easy to crumble under the weight of doubt and rejection.
Here are some strategies to help build that resilience and overcome imposter syndrome:
1. Acknowledge and Reframe Your Thoughts
When you notice imposter syndrome creeping in, acknowledge those thoughts instead of fighting them. Say to yourself, “I’m feeling like an imposter right now,” then reframe the thought. Ask yourself, "What evidence do I have that I’m not capable?" Often, you’ll find there’s no real foundation for those doubts.
2. Celebrate Small Wins
Don’t wait for a massive success to give yourself credit. Celebrate the small wins, the steps you’re taking, the progress you’re making. This reinforces the fact that you are moving forward and building something meaningful.
3. Surround Yourself with Support
Find a community of like-minded creatives or self-employed professionals who can relate to your experiences. Sharing your struggles can help diminish that feeling of isolation. And sometimes, simply hearing “me too” from someone else can be all the validation you need. I always find in person networking brilliant for this.
4. Embrace Failure as Part of the Process
Every successful creative or entrepreneur has faced rejection, made mistakes, and experienced failure. Instead of seeing these as signs that you’re not good enough, try to view them as part of the journey. Every failure is a learning experience that brings you closer to success.
5. Shift Your Focus from Perfection to Progress
Perfectionism is a hallmark of imposter syndrome. Shift your mindset to focus on progress over perfection. Understand that growth happens through trial and error, and it’s okay if things aren’t perfect. Done is better than perfect when you’re moving forward in your business or creative career.
Moving Forward with Confidence
Overcoming imposter syndrome and building emotional resilience takes time, but the first step is simply acknowledging that you deserve to be where you are. You’ve earned it through your hard work, your passion, and your unique creativity.
Whether you’re an artist, a freelancer, or a self-employed business owner, remember that no one else can do what you do in the way that you do it. You’re not a fraud, you’re a work in progress, and that’s more than enough.
So, the next time you feel imposter syndrome rearing its head, take a deep breath, give yourself some credit, and keep going. You’ve got this.
If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, and you want support in building the confidence and resilience you need to thrive in your creative business, let’s chat. My door is always open, and I’d love to help you push past those doubts and step into your full potential.
Much love
Fran x