Really interesting article. David Sedaris has a lot to answer for. And there are lots of others who are so ridiculously good at what they do that they put others off pursuing and developing their lesser talent. I can clearly remember giving up trying to learn piano after watching some bloke effortlessly playing Billy Joel songs in a pub one evening. All we can do is work hard at what we enjoy and learn to be the best we can be at it. I think that you do what you do really well Jason, and I admire your tenacity and the fact that you have put in the effort to make a living from it.
I've experienced impostor syndrome both in my life and in my art. When i was an English teacher before covid (it was short, only three months), i used to feel that fear all the time. Worse than not acknowledging its presence, was my habit of suppressing the thoughts that stemmed from that fear, and always thinking "What if i can't be a good teacher?" "What if my mask falls and everyone sees my real, incompetent self?"
About my art, i don't know if you've seen my paintings or not (Check them out in my profile), but for years, i was fearful to show them even to my family members because i used to ask myself "What if they don't like them?" and answer "Yes, they won't like them. You're not a good painter". After periods of arguments, heated arguments, ... between my selves, my good, strong, art lover self emerged victorious, and has most of the time stayed that way (Yes, it has been quite some months i've painted anything. But that's because i've been learning German and this takes up all my daytime).
imposters as enemy of the quest to establish own voice and all that. which for me was a constant threat. getting the writer to yes. gave up arguing with its need to explore free writing methods, gave up arguing with its need to rhyme, there is something about getting out of your own way, that destructuring the wanna bee, unquestionably provides.
I like the way you think!
Thanks!
You’re welcome!
Really interesting article. David Sedaris has a lot to answer for. And there are lots of others who are so ridiculously good at what they do that they put others off pursuing and developing their lesser talent. I can clearly remember giving up trying to learn piano after watching some bloke effortlessly playing Billy Joel songs in a pub one evening. All we can do is work hard at what we enjoy and learn to be the best we can be at it. I think that you do what you do really well Jason, and I admire your tenacity and the fact that you have put in the effort to make a living from it.
I've experienced impostor syndrome both in my life and in my art. When i was an English teacher before covid (it was short, only three months), i used to feel that fear all the time. Worse than not acknowledging its presence, was my habit of suppressing the thoughts that stemmed from that fear, and always thinking "What if i can't be a good teacher?" "What if my mask falls and everyone sees my real, incompetent self?"
About my art, i don't know if you've seen my paintings or not (Check them out in my profile), but for years, i was fearful to show them even to my family members because i used to ask myself "What if they don't like them?" and answer "Yes, they won't like them. You're not a good painter". After periods of arguments, heated arguments, ... between my selves, my good, strong, art lover self emerged victorious, and has most of the time stayed that way (Yes, it has been quite some months i've painted anything. But that's because i've been learning German and this takes up all my daytime).
imposters as enemy of the quest to establish own voice and all that. which for me was a constant threat. getting the writer to yes. gave up arguing with its need to explore free writing methods, gave up arguing with its need to rhyme, there is something about getting out of your own way, that destructuring the wanna bee, unquestionably provides.