You’re An Artist, Dammit!

I’m an artist. Technically we all are if you view everything we do in life as art (because it is!). It took me so long to claim myself as an artist and I struggled greatly with imposter syndrome, the feelings of self doubt and inadequacy in comparison to others and feeling the need to prove myself. Social media doesn’t help with floods of people’s greatest accomplishments. You can’t help but to think “I wish I was that great.”

Here’s some ways I’ve tackled my imposter syndrome:

1. Eliminating Your Capitalist Mindset

   • Society has groomed us to be cogs in the machine, always competing to be the best and that a string of accomplishments yields success. This is simply not true. Imagine spending the precious, and very limited, years of your life working in field you don’t even like. “…but it pays really well!” Money doesn’t equal success. Being the “best” at something doesn’t equal success. Your 3 page resume that employers won’t even take the time to read doesn’t equal success. This mindset is attributed to Capitalism.

2. Claim It!

   • I always felt like I had to be the best in the room (thanks Capitalism). If I wasn’t a master at something, like baking, I can’t call myself a baker. Well why not? You don’t have to be a star on Great British Baking Show, that doesn’t make you any less of a baker. If you only know one trick on the skateboard, guess what you’re a skater. You’re a filmmaker, you’re a dancer, you’re an artist dammit! Claim it, everyday.

   • p.s. no one likes a gatekeeper.

3. Feel It

   • It would be toxic for me to say that we should never feel insecure. We’re human. When I’m judging myself or feeling like an imposter, I’ll be sure to acknowledge these feelings. Some methods that helped include journaling and saying my feelings out loud. “I acknowledge I am feeling…” Sitting with my feelings is one of my intentions for 2021.

4. Social Media Breaks

   • Taking a break from social media is easier said than done. I’m sure we’ve all hit rock bottom at some point and angrily deleted our social media apps vowing to never re-download again until we’ve gotten our shit together. By the next day we’ve miraculously we’ve found ourselves back on the apps trying to remember our login information. Social media is addicting, but it’s also the biggest contributor to my imposter syndrome. Here are some mantras I use when I start to feel envious or inadequate:

     • “Wow, this person is so talented…and so am I”

     • “I wish I could do that…and I will, no one is stopping me!”

     • “Why can’t I do that? Because realistically I don’t want to and I’m talented in my own ways.”

I hope these tips will be helpful for you on your journey. If you made it this far, that’s success in itself. This person is great, that person is great, and you’re great! Be kind to yourself.

Taylor-Nicole