Imposter Syndrome, Blogging & Me
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Last night I read a really intriguing article about Imposter Syndrome. It really got me thinking of how I view myself in the blogging world and what I could do to change that view. What really surprised me was the amount of people that reportedly suffer from Imposter Syndrome. At first, it was thought that it was something that mostly affected women, but now thinking is that it affects around 40% of high achieving people. So, nearly half of successful people don’t think they belong where they are, I thought it was just me!
What is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter Syndrome is where you don’t believe that you are as good as the people around you think you are. The feeling that you will be found out and seen as a fraud is so overwhelming You don’t think you belong where you are. This obviously causes some major anxiety and can lead to perfectionism in some. Even when you do well, you put it down to luck, not that you could actually do the task/job.
How does it affect my blogging and life?
This is me pretty much all the time. For as long as I can remember I have had a low opinion of myself and my abilities. I talk myself out of things and create situations in my head that will never happen. I know a part of this is down to my depression and I’m working on trying to have a more positive mindset. But I still don’t feel I belong in the blogging world.
Of course, I do the stupid thing of comparing my blog to others. I see people who have been blogging for a lot shorter time than I have making a success of themselves. I just think “you could do that if you weren’t so clueless” (or words to that effect). When I talk to people in groups etc about blogging, my blog, where I want to go, I make myself sound upbeat. I have written posts about how much I want to succeed and make my blog a business. But the truth is, I don’t believe it, I don’t think I have the skills to do it.
Last week, one of the lovely ladies at one of the craft groups I go to was asking me about my blog. As always I downplayed it. She replied “Oh, you’re a journalist, how exciting!” and instantly I said, “no, I just write a few bits here and there, nothing important.” Straight away she asked me why I put myself down like that. I tried to make a joke about it to cover it up. Again she asked me why. When I said that I’ve always done it because I don’t think I am good enough, I was told I need to stop being so hard on myself.
How to deal with Imposter Syndrome
Reading that article and talking to my friend has really made me see that I need to have more faith in myself and not beat myself up about things I can’t control. So, how can I do this?
There are ways for me and others to fight through this. Talking to someone about how you are feeling can be a great relief. If these things are bottled up for too long they can take over your life. Something I’ve learned from having depression and anxiety is that talking to people helps to see how irrational your thinking is. It is just a relief to let it all out. If you don’t feel like talking to someone, write a letter to yourself as if you were talking to a friend. This will help release the pent up feelings and will make you see the good qualities you have.
Another way to help is to have a good think about your abilities. Write down the things that you have accomplished in your life and what you are good at and compare it to what you believe about yourself. Visually seeing the difference between what you think and what actually is might actually surprise you.
It is important that you stop comparing yourself to others. I know personally that this is easier said than done, but it will help massively. You are not someone else, you’re your own person and your skills are just as good, if not better than those you compare yourself to.
Refuse to let how you are feeling hold you back from reaching for your goals. Sometimes it pays to be stubborn and not give in. Just think how good it will feel when you reach that goal, let that feeling be the one that you follow.
I am taking baby steps with all of this. I know trying to do too much at once won’t help me. But I am determined to reach my blogging goals. It may take me longer than some others, but I WILL get there. I have a great plan to Level up my blog, so, I am going to be an imposter no more!
Do you ever feel like an imposter at times? If so, how do you deal with it?
Take care everyone.
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39 Comments
sam
Yep I know what you saying, I think the blogging world is so competitive it makes you doubt yourself. Just got to focus on why you enjoy blogging and keep on following that enjoyment X #mmbc
aliduke79@hotmail.com
Yes, I know. It always seems easier to doubt yourself than push yourself up. But, I am going to give it a good go!
Emma Hutchinson
I think it’s so easy to compare yourself to others and feel inadequate. I feel like this about my blog, I play it down when people ask me what I do. I would love to grow my blog into a business too, but reading this has helped me to realise I need to change my mindset. #MMBC
Ali Duke
I am glad it has helped you. Comparing ourselves to others is never good, but we always end up doing it.
Lydia C. Lee
I think the best way to beat Imposter syndrome is to focus directly on what is in front of you and what you are doing. Ignore everything else, it’s irrelevant. #KCACOLS
aliduke79@hotmail.com
That is very good advice.
Sarah-Marie Collins
I think a lot of bloggers feel this way especially in the early days. It’s very easy to down play your hard work. #KCACOLS
aliduke79@hotmail.com
Yes it is. I need to get better at accepting compliments.
Crummy Mummy
I’ve never heard of this before but it’s an interesting concept & food for thought! #MMBC
aliduke79@hotmail.com
It really is food for thought. I think a lot of people feel like this but don’t know how to explain it.
Ellen
I really enjoyed reading this. I know of so many people that get imposter syndrome during their first year of uni, I definitely had it too!
aliduke79@hotmail.com
I am glad you liked it. It affects people in so many fields.
Fiona Cambouropoulos
A good description for something I think we can all feel at times. I know it has applied to me in the past. #KCACOLS
aliduke79@hotmail.com
It has affected a lot of people.
Cheryl | TimeToCraft
Good for you. Your friend sounds very wise and empathetic to pick up on your doubts. I think we all have doubts at times. It’s a way of checking where we are and nudging ourselves back on to our path, so not all bad. I like your action plan. Good to write it down too. I hope you it goes well. You can do it. #MMBC
aliduke79@hotmail.com
Thank you. I do feel like I am on the right path.
Claire
I have heard of this before but never really knew what it was until now.
Thanks for stopping by. #MMBC
aliduke79@hotmail.com
I don’t think a lot of people have heard of it, but it affects a lot of people.
Crummy Mummy
Back again from #KCACOLS – love this post!
aliduke79@hotmail.com
Thank you!
Lisa Pomerantz
I think we all can tend to have this from time to time. I know mine is tied directly to my “inside voice” — you know the one that is so self-judging and sort of, well, cruel. When I can control the volume of my inner me, I do better. When I don’t compare myself to others, and set my goals for me, I do better. Wishing you a way to your own volume control #KCACOLS xoxo
aliduke79@hotmail.com
Thank you x
Jayne @ Sticky Mud and Belly Laughs
I think we all doubt ourselves at one time or another. It sounds like you are on the right path and staying positive. You can do this 🙂 x #MMBC
aliduke79@hotmail.com
I am trying to stay positive, it is not always easy but I am doing my best 🙂
Jo (A Rose Tinted World)
Totally relate to this. But as others have said, keep being you and doing all you do. Sometimes it’s better to do that than focus on others. We all have a different journey #KCACOLS
aliduke79@hotmail.com
That we do. I’m going to keep being me and try not to worry what others are thinking.
Kelly-Anne Combes
I do believe us bloggers all feel like this at time, but we all need to remember that every single one of us offer something different with our blogs – us! And we are enough. Thank you so much for linking up with us for #KCACOLS and we hope to see you next time.
aliduke79@hotmail.com
Yes we are!
jeremy-thirstydaddy
Feel like this quiet a bit. A lot of times it’s what Lisa said, that voice in the back of the mind that needs to be ignored. I’m not really sure how to deal with it, other than to power through #KCACOLS
aliduke79@hotmail.com
That’s all any of us can do sometimes.
Tracey Bowden
This is me all the time. Every time someone wants to work with me I question why. Every time I do some work for someone I always think it won’t be good enough. I have learnt to stop comparing myself to other bloggers but I know exactly how you feel. But we are doing this and the fact we do means we are successful in our own right. I can’t wait to see you put your plan into action. #kcacols
aliduke79@hotmail.com
Thank you. My plans are slowly coming together. I have a few improvements to make on my blog, just little tweaks, then hopefully it will look a bit more professional. I am also taking the step into freelance writing, so hopefully it will all come together soon.
twicemicrowaved tea
I feel like this quite often, and it’s always worse when I compare myself to others. I know I shouldn’t do it but it’s so hard not to! #kcacols
aliduke79@hotmail.com
I know exactly what you mean. I think we all do it.
Anne
It’s so easy to put yourself down or compare yourself to others. I’ve been trying not to do this for years, and one day I hope I’ll achieve it. Really good read Ali, and I’m sure many will relate.
#mmbc
aliduke79@hotmail.com
I too try not to do it, but it always seems easier to doubt yourself rather than believing in yourself. Hopefully we can both stop doing it.
Catherine Lanser
We can drive ourselves crazy comparing ourselves to others, but you are right, it’s what matters to us that counts! Great article.
Ali Duke
Thank you, I am glad you liked it.
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