Battling Creative Block: Impostor Syndrome

Having your creativity blocked is a huge pain in the bottom. Especially, if you work in a creative field like a writer, musician, artist, designer or other. Even if you don’t work in a typically “creative” field, you are being forced into a world of online business. You need to create multiple social media pages and content with clever captions and eye-catching photos. So, over the next few weeks, we’re going to chat about some of these blocks and how to overcome them. These posts may be little lengthier than you’re used to, but is likely worth the read if you have come this far (aka clicked more than once to get here). I know we live in a short 280-character world, but take a few deep breaths, clear your mind and dive in for a read (I mean it, don’t just scroll to headings and bullet points like I tend to).

Why Creative Blocks Happen & How to Overcome Them

So many reasons, friend. It can come from overthinking (and over feeling). It can come from not having a healthy routine or habits for your creative time. Today, we chat about impostor syndrome, but over the next few weeks we will discuss perfectionism, rejection, a general depletion of creative energy and lack of focus or unhealthy work habits. If my creative mind is still flowing on this topic, there could be more, but that’s where I’m at for now. So, stay tuned for more lovely, thought-provoking blog posts about battling your creative blocks.

Also, my friend, I want you to keep in mind that you are not the only one struggling. We all go through these blocks at some point or another; so please know that you’re not a weirdo (well, maybe you are but that’s not a bad thing - most of my fav people are weirdos, rock with it). Don’t be hard on yourself. It’s okay to suffer from the following aspects, but it’s not okay to remain behind the barrier. We are gonna tear it right on down so that your creativity can grow and bloom or explode and erupt (whatever you’re after).

Alright, so here we go… Impostor Syndrome

Why it Happens

Here’s a little definition to get us started “a psychological pattern in which an individual doubts their skills, talents or accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a "fraud".

If you are often living in a place of fear and anxiety about your abilities, you are not alone. Even the most confident people in their field can have their creativity fall to impostor syndrome. I am here to tell you that you are not a fraud. You didn’t just achieve everything due to pure luck. You worked hard and you’re good at what you do. You are a smart and creative person worthy of all that you’ve accomplished.

You are no fraud, my friend.

But still, self-doubt persists. Even if you are on top of your game and business is better than ever, when you look in the mirror, you lack confidence in the person staring back at you. Not only can self-doubt and fear block your creativity, but it can have a huge negative impact on your life overall.

When this negative self-talk sneaks into your beautiful, creative mind, it can poison it. These bad thoughts overtake the creative ones, forming this big giant wall of negativity and self-doubting silliness…

• “Who am I trying to fool?”

• “Well, I write, but I’m not a writer.”

• “There’s no thought that I’ll have that someone smarter and better hasn’t already had.”

• “Do people even care what my opinion is? Why would I post this?”

• “I’ll just sing in the shower. No one will judge me there.”

It’s time to shake these thoughts. Gone with them. NO MORE. We’re done with the negative self-talk. We’re done with the self-doubt. We’re completely over this whole concept of impostor syndrome. Adios. Bye-bye. We’re off living our best creative lives now. K thanks.

I’m just going to take a second and chat about that third bullet point there. It is highly unlikely that anyone is having any “new” thoughts. Human beings have been around for a boat load of years and each one has had roughly 6,000 thoughts a day. Currently, there are about 7,800,000,000. That’s 46.8 decillion thoughts a day.

I didn’t come up with the idea of creative blocks. I didn’t come up with the concept of impostor syndrome. I am not the first to link the two together. But, someone will read this and gain something from it. No one will have written about it in my voice or writing style. No one will have my spin or twist on it. This is why I am writing about it. Are they new thoughts? No. Has someone smarter than me written about it? Heck ya. Do I care? Nah.

And, to the other points. You’re not fooling anyone. We actually believe in you and you should too. If you write, you’re a writer. I care what your opinion is, please share it with me (also, people can disagree with your opinion, but still care what it is - please know this). Keep singing in the shower or the car or at the street corner or at karaoke night or for millions of people (live or online).

Today, we start to battle impostor syndrome. Seems easier said than done, right?

We are going to start by retraining your mind. Reframing these pesky thoughts.

How to Overcome It

Allow yourself to acknowledge these thoughts, but don’t engage with them. Know that you are worth all that you have achieved and all that you desire in the future. Notice the thought in your mind and then question it immediately.

• Sneaky, yucky thought: “Why would I even write this blog? No one is going to read it anyway.”

• Question it: “Is this thought helping me? Or is this thought hindering my creativity?”

• Answer it: “This is hindering me and blocking my beautiful, creative thoughts.”

• Reframe it: “I am writing this blog because I am a good writer and if there is even the smallest chance that this blog will help someone, it is worth writing about.”

Take a moment after you finish reading this. Think about what aspects of your life may be falling victim to your fears and anxiety related to impostor syndrome. What hindering thoughts do you have? Write them down and then reframe them. Bring awareness to your thoughts throughout your day. Keep correcting the self-doubt and negative thoughts. If reframing the thought doesn’t seem to help you much, consider replacing it with a mantra.

Pick one. Find a mantra. Use it daily. Before, during and after your creative time. Apply it to other elements of your life.

Check out this list of super helpful and meaningful mantras to help overcome impostor syndrome in relation to your creativity… Mantra List.

Another great way to align your thoughts with those thriving non-impostors is to share your feelings. Choose a trusted pal or a mentor. Someone that likely has more experience and that you believe now has unwavering confidence. This person can reassure you that what you’re feeling is normal. It is less scary to know that other people have been through it too. If no one comes to mind, I’ve got your back. Send me a DM on IG or an email to carly@cevirtualpro.com.

If you really want to dive in, consider a professional therapist to debunk these thoughts.