Impostor Syndrome: The Shadow Jury

-by Gretta Cole

From Nervous Newbie to Fearless Artist

Shed The Impostor Syndrome

There's a freedom in embracing your creative side, but when you first crack open that sketchbook and share your masterpiece or any of your creative pursuits on your socials? It takes guts.

In my case, my world was populated by my own friends and family. Faces I knew, voices I recognised. Suddenly, showcasing my art wasn't just about expressing myself, it was like opening my ribcage and offering a peek at the beating heart beneath.

Impostor syndrome, that sneaky little devil, nestled right in and whispered insidious doubts. Was this good enough? Did it deserve to be seen? Was I just fooling myself (and everyone else)?

I knew I wasn't alone in this self-inflicted drama. Many creative spirits wrestle with that inner impostor. But I eventually learned: the older you get, the less you give a shit about what others think. Or at least, you learn to prioritise the opinions that truly matter. That’s what counts. I occasionally feel the impostor trying to creep in every time I finish a piece but I’ve got it’s number.

And guess what? my friends and family who saw glimpses of my soul splashed across a canvas? They cheered, they encouraged, they celebrated. 

So, to any creative out there battling that inner critic, let me shout this from the rooftops: YOUR VOICE DESERVES TO BE HEARD. Put those pencils to paper, brushes to canvas, share your pixels! 

And remember, there will always be a tribe waiting to catch you if you stumble, to cheer you on when you achieve. 

Find YOUR people, embrace their support, and silence the impostor.

Because in the end, the only opinion that truly matters is yours. And that's worth celebrating.