What Is Artist Imposter Syndrome and What Are the Causes?
I have been listening to art business and marketing podcasts and watching webinars in order to grow my art business. As a result, I hear the term “imposter syndrome” come up repeatedly. This has me wondering if I struggle with imposter syndrome because I definitely have to fight off negative thinking, sometimes on a daily basis.
Hence, the reason for this post. What is imposter syndrome? Why does it happen? and What can you do about it? I’ll be tackling the last of these questions in my last blog on this topic, which will be part 3. Part 2 will include famous creatives who have struggled with feelings of low self worth and/or imposter syndrome.
What Is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter syndrome is that nagging feeling that sneaks up on you, making you question your artistic abilities and whether you truly belong in the creative world. It's that voice in your head that whispers, "Am I a real artist? Do I have what it takes? Who am I kidding? I’ll never be as good as so and so. I should just throw in the towel." You can insert any pursuit in here, but for purposes of this blog I’ll focus on art.
Despite external recognition or accomplishments, you may still feel like a "fraud" or worry that others will discover you're not as talented as people think. It's like having a secret fear that you're just pretending to be an artist, even though deep down, you know you're passionate about creating and producing artwork.
At first, I thought imposter syndrome was the same thing as low self-worth or low self-esteem. It is not the same, but the two are related. Low self-esteem describes an overall negative perception of oneself. It’s a constant belief that one is unworthy, inadequate, or inferior. Low self-worth can show up in various aspects of life, not just in relation to achievements or professional capabilities.
So while imposter syndrome can be a component of low self-esteem, low self-esteem can impact multiple areas of life beyond just professional achievements, while imposter syndrome tends to be more specific to feelings of inadequacy in a particular domain. So they are tied together, but not quite the same.
Imposter syndrome is not a psychiatric diagnosis, but it is a recognized phenomenon by psychologists. It was first discovered in high-achieving women in the 1970s.
Around 25 to 30 percent of high-achievers may suffer from imposter syndrome. And around 70 percent of adults may experience impostorism at least once in their lifetime, research suggests.
I see a lot of research relating to very successful or high-achieving people (think movie stars, musicians, etc.), but I honestly think a lot of people who haven’t reached a high level of success deal with it as well.
Okay, moving on to the causes of imposter syndrome.
What causes Imposter Syndrome In Artists?
The best way to combat this psychological issue is to take note of what is causing it and proceed from there. These are just some of the possible causes of the thinking that leads to imposter syndrome. Check these out and see if any of them describe you.
High Standards
You set high expectations for your work. When your artwork doesn’t meet these standards it can lead to self-doubt and a sense of being an imposter.
This feeling be enhanced due to the fact that somehow we think we should get everything we want right now. Meaning, why can’t I just start drawing and be as good as so-and-so who has been drawing for 10 years? We are blessed to be able to get packages in two days or watch a movie right away, and I think that has a negative impact on patience.
To combat this cause of imposter syndrome, I remind myself that it will take time and practice to develop my skills as an artist. I do find this irritating, but in reality there are no shortcuts. As my brother Keith says, it is what it is. Plus, think of how accomplished you’ll feel when you improve. Things that are harder to achieve are more rewarding, in my opinion.
Comparison to Others
We compare ourselves to other artists, especially on social media. The constant exposure to others' work can intensify self-comparison and make you question your own abilities and worth.
This one resonates with me big time. It’s so easy to look at all of the amazing work on social and think, “I’ll never be as good as they are.”
Comparison to others is why I didn’t use Facebook for years. I found it unhealthy for me to see other people’s specially curated photographs because it made me feel that I was missing something. It made me feel left out and envious, which are obviously destructive ways of feeling and thinking.
Because of that awareness, once I started using social media specifically for my art, I am more cognizant that those same feelings can crop up relating to artwork. I have to be deliberate in not allowing myself to think that way.
Also, if I find myself feeling down or envious of others, I know I need to step away from social media and focus on the good in my own life and the beauty in my own artwork. There is a reason that “do not covet” is in the ten commandments. It is bad for us.
When I feel down I take out my notepad and list all of the things that I’m thankful for in life. Being thankful to God helps me to get out of the woe is me path. I also listen to sermon podcasts to get me back to thinking about what is important in life. I am on this earth with certain circumstances and talents that I need to focus on and make the most of while I’m here.
Amy Porterfield, a marketing expert, says to put your blinders on. I think that’s good advice. Keep moving forward and don’t get distracted.
Fear of Judgement/Rejection
We put our emotions, vulnerabilities, and personal experiences into our work, making it deeply personal. How many times have you posted a picture of your artwork wondering if it was going to get good comments from others? It can be nerve-wracking to think that something you put your heart and soul into may be met with lackluster or critical comments.
As a result, the fear of being judged, criticized, or rejected by others can trigger imposter feelings and a fear of not being good enough.
I deal with this cause of imposter syndrome too, because art is so personal. It takes me a super long time to create my pieces, and so if they aren’t with some positive feedback, it can make me feel low.
I also think about it when it comes to working on my art business. I know for a fact that there are some people who think I’m nuts for trying to start my own business. Again, I have to put my blinders on and keep moving forward.
The best way I combat this one is to think of Dory from Finding Nemo. “Just keep swimming, just keep swimming…” Keep on creating what makes you happy, and remember there will be someone out there that appreciates it. Even if it’s your mom. Jk, sort of.
Lack of Formal Training
You lack formal artistic training or fancy credentials, which makes you feel inferior. You believe that your skills are not legitimate or you think you don't have the qualifications to be considered a "real" artist.
This one doesn’t get to me so much, because it’s easier to teach yourself how to improve as an artist online nowadays. I see a lot of self-taught artists out there who are doing just fine without all of that stuff, which gives me hope.
That said, I think I would feel intimidated if I were trying to play in the gallery sandbox, which I am currently not. I picture snooty people with art degrees in that arena, but I could totally be wrong.
Perceived Luck/Timing
If you achieve success or recognition you may attribute it to luck or favorable circumstances rather than acknowledging your own skills and hard work. This can lead to imposter feelings, as you fear you haven't truly earned your achievements.
I have only had my artwork published in two magazines, and so maybe I don’t get this one so much. Maybe if I was a famous artist this one would resonate, but for now not so much.
Previous Failures
You may have experienced a time when you felt your artwork was not the best or you received negative criticism. As a result, you have a fear that your previous failure defines your abilities.
This is one thing I’ve been learning about from successful entrepreneurs. You have to look at failure differently if you want to succeed. A powerful quote from Nelson Mandela is, “I either win or I learn”.
Look at each task you do in art with this lens and it will make you appreciate failure more. So for example, if I drew a hideous picture of a horse (which I have), I learned what not to do which will propel me to figure out how to be successful the next time around. Instead of trashing ugly artwork, I like to keep my old drawings as a reminder of what I have learned or as a record of my improvement.
Perfectionism
Perfectionist tendencies can fuel imposter syndrome, as you may feel that your work is never good enough. You may believe that unless your creations are flawless, they are unworthy of being considered real artworks.
This used to be a problem for me, but now I realize the more artwork I push out the better I will get. So I try not to get bogged down with any work being “perfect”. Done is better than perfect. Besides, perfection is boring!
Inward Reflection
I believe that a lot of artists are introverts. Again, I have no data to support this (as in my gallery-snob hypothesis), but I am guessing this based on my own way of thinking and observing and chatting with other artists.
One characteristic of introverts is that we can overthink things. Sometimes I find myself going over previous conversations in my brain, overanalyzing them. It can be a fruitless or even harmful exercise.
I can do the same thing with creating a work or overanalyzing people’s perceptions of my work. It can be debilitating if I let it. If this sounds familiar you may suffer from too much inward reflection as well.
To combat this I busy my mind with something else and keep pushing forward (which seems to be a theme for me). I remind myself that other people aren’t ruminating over these thougths. They have moved on and/or don’t really care. Which is most likely true.
Conclusion
Imposter syndrome is a psychological condition that a lot of artists struggle with. It has many causes that are important to understand. By identifying what causes these negative thoughts, we can move forward to trample imposter syndrome.
Next week I’ll be describing examples of famous people who struggle(d) with imposter syndrome. I always get excited about researching things like this because it makes famous people appear more human. Also, we can learn from other artists’ struggles, which is always a good thing.
Love to hear your thoughts.
