3 Ways to Beat Imposter Syndrome & Lean into Inspiration
Tags: Creative Writing, Inspiration, Creative Process, Imposter Syndrome, Writing

I’ve been re-inspired. This week, inspiration hit me like bricks. She stopped me in my tracks and re-introduced herself in a head to toe outfit of loud glitter. She swayed her hips and we danced to my favorite song for hours. We sat, we chatted, we sipped some expensive wine, and she comforted me with praises and giggles and sugar. She reminded me that we are besties. That she’s never far away. That she’s always listening, watching, and giving me that loving nudge.

I’ve allowed space into my heart for Queen Inspiration to live this week. Within days…hours…moments…of my days, she generously gifted me with nuggets of golden signs. Synchronicity. Magic!

It ironically, all has to do with my writing. I write all the time for my own pleasure. For me, writing is a therapeutic, meditative, exploratory space for my mind, my heart, and my soul. I had never thought about sharing my writings with others before; until this past year.

I’ve been seeking, searching, questioning, but have been limited in my action. I recently went on my first-ever solo trip. I found the cutest cabin on AirBnB in Idyllwild, CA, and booked 2 nights for a mini rendezvous with ‘the self’. Here I was, in an unfamiliar place, with a slight intent of why I was doing this for myself but I knew it was ultimately unknown territory. I was more excited than scared but I was definitely out of my element. But I created, and slowed down, and breathed, and quieted, and wrote, and rested like I wanted to.

I wrote a poem; a letter per-say. Inspired by a dear friend of mine I had seen right before this trip, and influenced by the style of a poet I recently discovered.

I decided to share this poem with my friend. This human loved my words and requested to have it printed and framed. So…that’s what I did. I printed a version of this poem and am going to gift it to this friend. The coolest part was actually receiving the shipment in the mail. I carefully opened the package. More anticipation built with each unraveling of paper. There it was. Something I had created in the flesh. The elated feeling inside me was so alive and full, that it sparked a whole week of inspiration. It led me to create and post content again on my poetry feed. It motivated me to join a writing challenge to write three articles this week (including this one). It resurrected the curiosity of joining a writing program. It turned the wheels in my head to the possibility of selling prints of my work. It kicked off dialogue with two established creative professionals in the industry which is getting me closer to really pursuing writing in a serious way.

Let’s just say it has been a week of synchronicity! And I am so excited. Of course, it’s not always this easy. But what if it could be?

Enter…

“These people are reaching out to ME?!”

“I’m such a fraud”

“I’m still new. I’m a novice. I am still just beginning.”

“It doesn’t matter. I don’t matter”

“It’s all been said before”

“If I say, ‘yes, I’m a writer’ — will they believe me? Do I believe me?”

“Will they like my stuff?”

“Am I good enough?”

“My work isn’t good enough to print and sell…”

“I need more experience”

“I’m not ready”

You get the idea. I’ll keep it quick.

We’ve all experienced personal dialogue like this!

Imposter Syndrome has definitely tried to take over.

But this time…I won’t allow it.

WHY?

I have recognized how much joy the art of writing brings me. End of story. Then, I learned how much joy it brings me to share my writings with others.

The craft of writing fulfills me and challenges me more and more every time.

Mind you — this was after hours of scrolling on social media and seeing my artist community posting and sharing their creative works, announcing their new Etsy pages, and selling their art! I immediately compared myself to each and every one of them and wondered why I wasn’t doing what they were doing.

“How come I don’t have an online store?”

“How come I don’t have that kind of talent?”

Then I realized — I don’t do crafts. Creating goods with my hands is not my strong talent. It IS for them. I am not them.

But what is my strong talent? Writing. Or at least I think so. Either way, it’s a strong suit of mine because I do it often and I enjoy it immensely.

This reminded me that I’ve dived into the unknown before and I’ve learned to trust. Just like my solo-trip. I had no idea what I’d get myself into, but I went with the flow and left on higher ground.

I know I’ll be OK. I have intentions but am not hanging on to any expectations.

Instead, I am committed to this blip of a journey and seeing where it leads me.

On the Precipice

Do you ever have that feeling like you’re on the edge of something. You may not know what yet, but you can almost feel it. There’s a palpable sensation. Maybe you feel it in your heart, or in your energy, or in the electricity in your fingertips, or in the world around you. That’s because you’ve allowed yourself to enter into this space. You are listening. You are seeing with prudent eyes again.

“Teach me” I whisper.

“Lead me” I proclaim.

“Take me” I surrender.

These statements were week one of December for me. Like Madame Inspiration, I swirled and twirled with the excitement of new hope. She sparked my inner soul to believe that I am ready; even if I’m still convincing myself. She has shown herself to me in this physical world: through my words, through the pulsating in my veins, through the light in my eyes.

When doubt crawls back in, I am reminded that even when I don’t feel inspired, or don’t sense Miss Inspiration tapping on my shoulder, I can trust that if I tap first…if I invite myself in, she’ll show up again and again.

Do you get my drift? I am she and she is me.

I’ll know she’s always here.