I was talking to a friend recently and she said she was struggling with her creative projects because they weren’t turning out in the exact same way she had pictured them in her head.
“You’re a perfectionist,” I said.
She admitted I was right. She was a perfectionist and it had kept her from sharing her art with the world. “I don’t want to let people see what I’ve created until it’s perfect.”
When I asked “Why?” she said it was because, until it was perfect, she felt like a fraud.
Our conversation got me thinking about this idea of feeling like a fraud. It’s commonly called imposter syndrome, and to one extent or another, I think all creatives struggle with it. I know I do.
I was texting with another friend recently and she said that she had just finished reading my book, A Thousand Ways Home. She said she liked it very much, but that’s not the part of our conversation that stuck with me. What I heard—and what still sticks in my mind—is that she thought my chapters were short (I heard “too short”) and she found a typo (I live in fear of typos).
I’m about to release my fifth book, but I still often fear that I’m going to be found out as a fraud. I’m much more confident about my writing now than I was when I started, but I don’t think that fear of being seen as an imposter ever completely goes away, no matter if you’re a writer, an artist, a musician, or any other type of creative.
Even the best of the best have struggled with it. Maya Angelou, after writing eleven books, still thought, “Uh oh, they’re going to find out now. I’ve run a game on everybody.” If one of the most accomplished writers of all time felt that way, what chance do the rest of us have? A pretty good one, actually, because imposter syndrome isn’t about actual ability. It’s just a sneaky little voice in your head that distorts how you see yourself.
The good news? You can quiet that voice. Let’s talk about how.
What Imposter Syndrome Looks Like for Creatives
Imposter syndrome shows up in different ways. Maybe you convince yourself your latest success was a fluke, or that you’re just lucky. Maybe you compare yourself to other creatives and feel like you don’t measure up. Or maybe you’re scared to put your work out there because you think people will judge you and realize you have no idea what you’re doing.
For creatives, imposter syndrome can be particularly brutal. Your work is personal, it comes from you. So when doubts creep in, they don’t just feel like doubts about your work; they feel like doubts about you as a person. That can make you hesitant to share your work, reluctant to take risks, or even push you to overwork yourself just to prove you belong.
Why It’s a Problem
If imposter syndrome were just a passing worry, it wouldn’t be a big deal. But left unchecked, it can seriously hold you back:
- It can stifle your creativity. If you’re constantly doubting yourself, it’s hard to take creative risks. You might second-guess your ideas or overthink everything you create.
- It can stop you from growing. If you feel like a fraud, you might avoid submitting to galleries, pitching your book, or taking the stage.
- It can burn you out. Feeling like you have to prove yourself all the time leads to overworking and exhaustion.
- It can make you keep your work to yourself. If you’re scared of being “found out,” you might not share your art, music, or writing at all—and that would be a huge loss.
The worst part? Imposter syndrome doesn’t go away just because you achieve more. You might think, “Once I finish my book, I’ll feel legit,” or “Once I get my first big show, I’ll feel like a real artist.” But no, the doubts just move to the next goalpost. That’s why learning to manage imposter syndrome now is so important.
How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome as a Creative
You don’t have to let imposter syndrome run the show. Here are some strategies to quiet that nagging voice and own your creative journey.
- Recognize It for What It Is
First things first: acknowledge imposter syndrome when it pops up. It’s not truth. It’s just an unhelpful pattern of thinking. Plenty of wildly successful creatives feel the exact same way. Knowing that can take away some of its power.
- Reframe Your Thoughts
Instead of letting negative thoughts spiral, challenge them. When you think, “I’m not good enough,” ask yourself: Says who? What actual evidence do you have that you’re not talented? Spoiler: there isn’t any.
Instead of saying, “I don’t deserve this opportunity,” tell yourself, “I worked hard for this, and I’m ready.” Shift your perspective from self-doubt to self-acceptance.
- Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
Comparison is the thief of joy—and in the age of social media, it’s easier than ever to compare yourself to creatives who seem like they have it all together. But remember: you’re seeing their highlight reel, not the behind-the-scenes struggles.
Everyone has doubts. Everyone has bad drafts, abandoned projects, and days when they feel like they have no idea what they’re doing. Focus on your journey, not someone else’s.
- Keep a “Wins” List
Start keeping track of your creative wins, both big and small. Got a compliment on your artwork? Write it down. Finished a project you’re proud of? Add it to the list. Having a record of positive feedback and achievements helps when self-doubt tries to take over. Remember the praise, not just the criticism.
- Share Your Work Anyway
One of the best ways to push past imposter syndrome? Put your work out there despite the doubts. Scary? Yes. Necessary? Also yes. The more you share, the easier it gets. And you might be surprised; people will connect with your work in ways you never expected. This may be easier said than done, but it is necessary. The world deserves to see your art, even if you’re not convinced it’s perfect.
- Find Your Creative Community
Surround yourself with other creatives who get it. Talking to people who understand the struggle can be incredibly validating. A good creative community can lift you up, remind you of your strengths, and help you keep going when doubts creep in.
- Focus on Progress, Not Perfection
Perfectionism feeds imposter syndrome. Instead of aiming for “perfect,” aim for done. Growth comes from creating consistently, not from waiting until everything is flawless (because spoiler: it never will be). Remember: Progress matters more than perfection. Done is better than perfect.
- Give Yourself Permission to be a Work in Progress
Newsflash: You don’t have to be an expert at everything. You don’t have to have all the answers. Every great artist, writer, or musician was once a beginner. The fact that you’re still learning means you’re doing it right.
- Teach or Mentor Someone Else
Nothing will convince you that you do know what you’re doing quite like helping someone else. Mentoring another creative, offering feedback, or teaching a skill will remind you of how much knowledge and experience you actually have. In fact, that’s why I’m sharing this post.
- Take a Break When You Need One
Creativity isn’t an endless fountain—sometimes, you need to step away and recharge. If imposter syndrome is making you spiral, take a break. Do something that refills your cup. Creativity thrives when you give yourself space to breathe.
Confidence Is Built, Not Given
Here’s the truth: no one wakes up one day suddenly feeling 100% confident in their creative work. Confidence is built over time, through action. The more you show up, create, and push past self-doubt, the stronger your confidence grows.
Instead of waiting to feel like you belong, act like you already do. Keep making. Keep sharing. Keep learning. Eventually, imposter syndrome won’t disappear completely, but it will get a whole lot quieter.
So go ahead; write that book, paint that canvas, compose that song. The world needs your creativity. And no, you’re not a fraud. You’re an artist.
