#Imposter Syndrome

[tonyzaret]

#mental wellness #imposter syndrome

[beggars-opera]

#fame is a construct #celebrities #geeking out at each other #imposter syndrome

[thebibliosphere]

Speaking of therapy, I say, as though we're old friends, and you're not a stranger trapped in this metaphorical elevator with me and you can hear the suspension wires starting to fray.

I've been doing a lot of work recently that's focused on imposter syndrome and the feeling that no matter how well or how much I do, I'm not good enough. That I'm somehow tricking everyone into thinking my work is actually good.

Some days it's a minor niggle in my head that I can gentle and soothe with logic and affirmations. Or smother, depending on the mood. Other times it's loud and all-consuming and the mental anguish it causes me is so real I can feel it twitching in my muscles. This desperate fight-or-flight instinct with nowhere to go and nothing to fight but myself.

Anyway, because I'm several types of Mentally Unwell™, I was switching between workshop sheets ahead of next week. Filling in different forms. (Trying to get a good grade in therapy) And I got my "recognize your harmful ADHD coping mechanisms" worksheet mixed in with the "you're not actually lying to people, you just feel like you are because your brain is full of weasels" worksheet, and seeing them side by side made something go topsy turvy in my head, and I just had to sit and breathe for a couple of minutes until the urge to scream passed. Because it clicked, it all suddenly clicked.

The reason the imposter syndrome workshops and therapy sessions aren't sticking was because I do routinely trick people into thinking I'm someone I'm not.

Because I'm masking my ADHD for their convenience.

I've always known there was something wrong with me. My neurotypical peers made it abundantly clear I didn't fit in or was failing in some way I couldn't see nor remedy, no matter how hard I tried.

So I compressed myself into a workaholic box of hyper-competence in the hopes they'd stop noticing the flaws and exploit like me instead. And then subsequently lived with the daily fear that if they looked too close, they'd realize I'm a monumental fuck up with enough personal baggage to block the Suez Canal.

If you ever need someone to burn themselves to ashes for your comfort and convenience, I'm your gal.

Or I used to. Until I had a bit of a breakdown, and the rubber band holding my brain together snapped and pinged off into the stratosphere, never to be seen again.

Unfortunately, the trauma of living like that didn't also fuck off and instead left a gaping maw where my personality ought to be, so now I get to deal with that aftermath.

And it's that aftermath that's affecting the imposter syndrome shit. Because yes, I am hyper-competent and good at what I do-- but it doesn't feel real because that is how I mask.

And the truly frustrating thing is I am good at what I do. I am not pretending. I worked hard to be good at this. It just feels like I'm dicking around because 90% of my personality turns out to be trauma masquerading as humor in a trenchcoat, and having people genuinely like something weird I'm doing is so foreign my brain has decided it's just another form of masking.

I'm pretending to be a good author so people will think I'm a good author, and my brain thinks we are in Danger of being found out. We are in Danger, and writing is Dangerous because then people will know I'm Weird and not whatever palatable version I've presented myself as for their NT sensibilities.

Like the neurotic vampire with a raging praise kink wasn't an obvious giveaway.

Anyway. I got nothing else. Thanks for listening.

I'm going to go be very normal in another room and not stare into the abyss of my own soul for a bit.

#adhd #mental health #mental illness #trauma #imposter syndrome #sorry for the wall of eratic text #feeling jittery af #possibly hypomanic tbh #either way #aaaaaaaaah

[catfayssoux]

#imposter syndrome #writing memes #writing humor #lol memes #writing #writeblr #my writing #fantasy #fantasy author #romantasy #ya fantasy #writerscommunity #ya romance #novelist #writing blog #writers life #romance writing #writers #writer #writers of tumblr #writing community #creative writing #writing tropes #writers on tumblr #writblr #writer things #cat fayssoux #ya fantasy author #ya fiction #novel

[anexperimentallife]

Remember this if your imposter syndrome starts getting you down

#elon musk #imposter syndrome

[thefantastician]

IAN JR. MASTER POST

Curious for more? Read about him here and here, and watch a video all about Ian Jr. here

#Ian Jr #sonic forces #sth #sonic the hedgehog #infinite #infinite the jackal #imposter syndrome #sonic idw #sonic symphony #kotaku #tails tube #shadow the hedgehog #phantom ruby #sonic frontiers #sega #my art #thefantastician #shadow #sonic #idw sonic

[starlight-bread-blog]

If Neil Gaiman and David Tennant are having Imposter Syndrome, you're good.

(Transcript Below)

Neil Gaiman: The first problem of any kind of even limited success, is the unshakable conviction that you are getting away with something, and that any moment now, they will discover you.

David Tennant: For me, that's what being an actor is about. Sort of going, this is all, it's all on one level, it's all just a bit silly. And I can't really believe I'm getting away with this. And at some point someone's gonna tap me on the sholder and go 'Come on, you've had your fun. Move on. There are some people who can actually do this. There are some proper actors in the world. Stop pretending, and move on. You're a little wee nae from Paisley. You don't really get to do this.

Neil Gaiman: In my case I was convinced there would a knock on the door, and a man with a clipboard – I don't know why he had a clipboard, but in my head he always had a clipboard – would be there and tell me it was all over, and they've caught up with me, and now I would have to go and get a real job. One that didn't consist of making things up and writing them down, and reading books I wanted to read. And then, I would go away quietly. And get the kind of job I would have to get up early in the morning, and wear a tie, and not make things up anymore.

#david tennant #neil gaiman #good omens #crowley #american gods #doctor who #10th doctor #tenth doctor #coraline #takin' over the asylum #takin over the asylum #campbell bain #broadchurch #Alec Hardy #the graveyard book #the graveyard #stardust #imposter syndrome #mental health #mental health awareness #neverwhere #hamlet #shakespeare #richard ii #inside man #staged #casanova #norse mythology book #the sandman #the sandman 2022

[wholesomeely]

I am so normal about STH <3

#sonic the hedgehog #sonic fanart #sonic fandom #surge the tenrec #idw sonic #idw comics #imposter syndrome #sth #sth fanart #sth fandom #design #headcanon

[melodymorningdew]

Imposter syndrome is a bench

Image description: drawing of a nondescript person with a tired/unimpressed expression on their face right next to a drawing of someone vibrating with excitement

Caption:

Me: "I must be faking my illness. I went on a walk yesterday."

Also me: "MY WALKER AND SHOWER CHAIR ARE ON THEIR WAY"

#chronic illness memes #disabled memes #dysautonomia memes #chronically ill memes #imposter syndrome #disabled #chronic illness #chronically ill #chronic pain #chronic disability #melody morningdew #chronically fatigued #fibromyalgia #undiagnosed chronic pain #undiagnosed chronic illness #chronic migraines #chronic fatigue #hypermobile ehlers danlos #ehlers danlos awareness #postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome #tachycardiac #tachycardia #pots #dysautonomia #undiagnosed something #undiagnosed disability #invisible disability #invisible illness #disabilties #mobility aid user

[writers-hq]

WHY IS WRITING IS SO FUCKING HARD?

Ten types of fuckery that stop you from writing the thing:

1. Imposter syndrome

You think you're not good enough or everyone else is better than you and you're just winging it AKA ye olde imposter syndrome bullshit. Yeah nah you're fine. No really, you're exactly where you need to be right now, and you'll keep getting better and better so long as you don't stop. Chances are, if you're filled with doubt about your abilities it means you've actually improved to the point where you can really start to understand what makes good writing. It means you know where you wanna end up and goshdarn it you're gonna get there.

Read this: 4 tips to kick imposter syndrome in the face and also genitals

And also this: How to silence the inner critic

2. Fear of rejection and/or failure

Yeah, us too. It fuckin sucks. BUT. Not all rejections are equal. And rejection is a necessary part of the process. Sometimes it takes a rejection to realise that a story isn't ready. Sometimes a rejection is entirely subjective and has ZERO reflection on the quality of your work. But shying away from the very idea of possibly maybe hypothetically getting rejected is only going to hold you back from even trying. And knowing why you got rejected and how to learn from it is one of the most valuable writing skills.

Read this: The different types of rejection (and how to deal with 'em)

Then read this: How to cope with rejection

And also this: Writing lessons from Groundhog Day

3. Not enough planning / too much planning

Leaping into a new story with nothing but a glimmer of an idea is exciting as heck (and can sometimes be a great way to begin) but at some point you're gonna need some sort of outline or plan to keep you on track. HOWEVER. Planning your story to within an inch of its life can also sometimes be a hindrance - leaving you stuck in the hypothetical stage of the process where your story doesn't quite exist yet (and therefore avoiding the prospect of it sucking). The sweet spot is in the middle. Having just enough of a plan to know where tf you're going, but enough freedom and flexibility to let the story lead the way...

Read this: Planning vs pantsing

Then read this: Five plotting techniques

And also this: The perils of overplanning

4. Your WIP just isn't working

Sometimes things just fall flat. Sometimes you work on the same story for yeeeeears and then it just kinda... dies. Sometimes you have the best plans (see above) and the best intentions and things still don't work out. Sometimes it's just time to move on. And sometimes it's not! Sometimes a story can be revived, fixed or changed. Sometimes you just need time. Sometimes YOU'RE the one that's changed and this isn't the story you need to be writing right now. Many variables. Muchly personal. Read the things below for more advice cos this is a big question:

Read this: What to do when your WIP isn't working

And also this: Give it space - how to grow a story in your head

Or how about this? Editing 101

5. You keep deprioritising it

Ah the irony of writing being the thing you love/want to do most of all AND YET the thing you procrastinate over and avoid and shove to the very bottom of your to-do list all the freakin' time. Maybe it's the comodification of art destroying our freedom to create without pressure. Maybe it's late capitalism sucking up all our available time and energy. Maybe it's a lack of self-belief subconsciously telling us our 'little hobby' doesn't really matter. Maybe it's maybelline. Whatever it is, you have the power to reclaim and revalue your writing. To say, "I'm a fucking writer, goddamnit!" and mean it. To ringfence your creative time so nothing and nobody gets to interrupt it. To do that thing you love.

Read this: Prioritise your writing

Read this: How to write in 30 second bursts

6. Shiny Thing Syndrome

You know that feeling when you're just getting stuck into a writing project and then — SQUIRREL! — you get distracted by another, better, more shiny writing project? Or maybe you're deep in the editing phase and your current WIP just isn't feeling very shiny at all and pretty much ANYTHING seems more exciting? Or you simply can't decide which of the many squirrelly writing ideas to actually start? You, fine writerperson, may be suffering from Shiny Thing Syndrome (STS). But fear not! There are a few ways to combat it, depending on the cause, and most of them involve embracing the squirrel-brain and injecting a bit of fun into your writing, like so:

Read this: Shiny thing syndrome - a writer's malady

Aaaand read this: Get excited about your writing again

And also this: Write like a kid

7. Perfectionism/self-sabotage

Look. Writing is scary as shit. What if someone READS it? What if they don't like it? What if they see into your soul and gain a deeper understanding of you through your words? Writing your truth, being vulnerable, smearing your heart juice all over the page? No thank you. But also, that's where the good shit is, so actually yes please. Just make sure you smear responsibly. And rest assured, even the most 'successful' and experienced writers ALSO feel like this sometimes, so you're in good company. It's just part of the art, bruh.

Read this: Why writing is scary (and why that's a good thing)

Read this: Beginning a story - what stops us starting?

And also this: Get out of your own way

8. The dreaded blank page

Oh godddd the blank page. It should be an exciting palimseset of possibility but is somehow also the most terrifying thing known to humankind. You wanna write something but where to start? HOW to start? You type that first line and immediately delete it. You watch the cursor blinking at you—taunting you—until you just give up and shut your laptop again. It's probably tied up with a bunch of things we've already covered so far: perfectionism, imposter syndrome, fear of failure, maybe a lack of planning or faith in your story or whatever. But it doesn't have to be this way. A blank page IS exciting and full of possibility. We just have to get over ourselves and learn to embrace the unknown...

Read this: Don't fear the blank page

And also this: The moaning method

9. Not enough time/energy/motivation/gnuuuughh

Dude, same x 1000. But you don't have to get up at 5am, do hot yoga, drink a kale smoothie and write a thousand words before sunrise to be a Proper Writer. You don't even have to write every day. But what you can do is hack your writing brain and figure out when, where, how, and why you write most effectively. Then tweak your schedule, your habits, and your attitude to ensure you're making the most of your time. Productivity is a big ol' lie but finding the secret to getting in your own personal writing zone is actual MAGIC.

Read this: Maximise your writing time

And also this: Get in the writing zone

And also unto this: The Writers' HQ Guide to Productivity

10. You're just fucken stuck

Got the writing morbs? In need of some literary sudafed? Stuck as a pig in a poke? Writing is a whole puzzle of a process—and to be honest that's what makes it so fun and exciting and addictive, because your writing brain is hardwired to both create AND solve the wordy puzzles within your story. Sometimes the answer is time. Sometimes it's a second opinion or a fresh eye. Sometimes a totally different approach or just a hefty kick up the bum. But whatever the problem, there IS a solution. You just gotta keep going and trust that you'll find it...

Read this: Troubleshoot your writing - why are you stuck?

And also this: Break through the writing blockage

And also also this: Write yourself into a pit (and then dig your way out again)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alright, that's it for today. Now go write, you flithy animals.

(And if we missed anything, stick a question in our ask box or check out the rest of our shit here)

#writing #writing advice #writers of tumblr #writeblr #writing community #writers community #writing life #creative writing #national novel writing month #nanowrimo #nanowrimo 2022 #imposter syndrome #perfectionism #writer's block #writers block #writer things #procrastination #productivity #writer problems #blank page #the blank page #WIP #pantser #editing #plotting

[magnoliasandarson]

(T)imposter Syndrome

He didn't need Jason (his hero) beating him to a bloody pulp and calling him "replacement". He was already painfully aware he was a placeholder.

Alfred kept him at arm's length and Bruce could barely speak a sentence to him that wasn't case related. Dick was a light in the darkness, but even he was trying to prove he could be a good brother because he failed with Jason. His parents only tolerated his existence on the best of days, and the Titans were not the family Dick promised they would be. (Maybe Kon would miss him)

He had photographed the costumed Wayne's from afar for years. It was pathetic and sad, but because of it he knew them. He knew he was being looked through. Even if they were looking through him though, they were looking to him. It was beyond pathetic, but he could handle the vacant stares if it meant their eyes were on him.

Laying in a pool of his own blood, Tim stared at the steadily darkening ceiling. He hadn't cried when Jason attacked him, when his hero back-from-the-dead jammed their symbol into his chest. He hadn't cried when Jason walked away, leaving him to die alone. As strange as it was, he decided he wouldn't cry about this. He should've known better, he didn't deserve to cry about his folly. (I'll give you something to cry about.)

His eyes closed of their own accord, and he used whatever strength he had left to yank the bloodied R from his chest. This was what he deserved for trying to be the one in front of the camera.

#tim drake #robin #dc universe #dc comics #attack on titans tower #titans #batfam #batman #jason todd #dick grayson #red hood #tim drake angst #batsalt #timothy drake #imposter syndrome #alfred pennyworth #kon el

[spacerockband]

Imposter Symphonica

#comic #comics #art tag #digital art #digital comic #personal comic #music #drums #band #imposter syndrome #something errr about depression. and playing with other people #and making music together. #and hitting drums really hard #and like. colors #and living #and COMICS!!!!!!! #percussion #hi 3am crowd. im posting this now because its done and i want to share it immediately.

[deadeyedfae]

Well it took a long time to get this out of my mind and on paper but here is Imposter!

#transgender #queer artist #lgbtq #transfem #artists of tumblr #furry #lgbtqia artist #small artist #furry oc #imposter syndrome #trans experience #experience

[i-will-write]

#writing #writers #writer #writer memes #writers meme #writers woes #imposter syndrome #review #criticism

[thepeacefulgarden]

#affirmations #self compassion #doing your best #imposter syndrome #perfectionism #you are enough #you are worthy #be gentle with yourself #be good to yourself #self compassion and accountability can and must coexist #healing #recovery #self care #self love #self respect #self forgiveness #you matter

[your-gay-grandma]

the older i get, the more convinced i become that even those who you think are the most capable, put together, organised and/or accomplished individuals probably either are or feel like they are pretending to know what they’re doing most of the time.

there are no set rules or obligations, no one path, no secret formula you are missing. life is terribly confusing and mysterious and that is half the joy of it! you are doing a terrific job navigating it at your pace and in your way. take your time.

and if i’m wrong and others do have it figured out, at the very least, you and i can pretend together. we’re okay - we’re in this together.

#your gay grandma #lgbtq #lgbt #lgbtqai #gay #lesbian #queer #sapphic #wlw #transgender #mlm #positivity #imposter syndrome #self love #recovery