Could you be experiencing Imposter Syndrome as a Blogger?
Do you feel like you are just copying other bloggers? Do you feel like you shouldn’t be giving direction or opinions on topics because you don’t feel like you have enough experience to do so?
If you were nodding your head there you might be experiencing imposter syndrome as a blogger.
Imposter Syndrome is a psychological pattern where one doubts their accomplishments and fears being exposed as a “fraud”. As a woman in tech, I suffer from this a few times a week. As a blogger I also suffer from this a few times a week.
Overcoming imposter syndrome as a blogger or even as any professional is very hard. Those who suffer from it are usually convinced that co-workers, friends, or readers and followers grossly overestimate their abilities. They feel that they don’t deserve the recognition they have achieved, even when there is adequate evidence of their accomplishments.
Both men and women suffer from imposter syndrome. And there is no single answer as to why people suffer from imposter syndrome. Some believe it is due to personality traits and others say it’s due to family or behavioral causes. But what is known for sure is that imposter syndrome is real, and it’s effects are not anything to be scoffed at.
Suffering from imposter syndrome can be debilitating. It can cause stress, low confidence, shame, anxiety and even depression. This can also limit one’s courage to explore new opportunities and put yourself out there in a helpful and meaningful way.
What Can You Do To Overcome Imposter Syndrome As A Blogger?
Acknowledge Your Achievements
When you start doubting your abilities in any area, take the time to remind yourself of your accomplishments.
Sit down with a journal or even just a piece of paper and write out your achievements you have done in the area you are doubting yourself in.
Knowing what achievements you have and writing them down can give you a visual representation of how far you have actually come. Once you see a list out in front of you, you can begin to accept and realize that you had a role in your own success, and you actually do have a clue about what you are doing.
Allow Yourself to Hear Praise
Many times with other praise us we tend to waive it off and say how it was just by chance or luck that we were able to do something.
Stop doing that.
Listen to and actually hear what others tell you when they are complementing you.
Imposter Syndrome suffers tend to disregard any and all positive feedback they receive. They doubt their ability even when they have already demonstrated that they are capable.
Connect with Other Bloggers
The blogging community is great. And you might be surprised how many other bloggers also suffer just like you. These bloggers also want to overcome imposter syndrome.
Connect with bloggers through Facebook blogging groups or the Twitter blogging community. You will find many others feeling the same way you are, and you can have support for when the feelings become overwhelming.
It can be helpful to share what you are feeling with others who have experience and can reassure you that what you are feeling is normal.
Realize No One is Perfect
If you are suffering from imposter syndrome it is important to stop focusing on perfection.
When you try to perfect everything you are putting yourself in a position to suffer from stress and feelings of self doubt.
Instead of focusing on perfection, focus on providing value to your audience.
You don’t have to have perfection to have something valuable.
Don’t Worry About Being THE Expert
Many times you might start on a topic and wonder to yourself: “What gives you the right to talk to people about this?”
Always remember you don’t have to be a complete expert or the main guru of anything to be able to give input and advice to others. You have experienced what you are talking about and that is enough.
Readers will relate better to a person who is down to earth and is a few steps ahead of them in a journey. Many of the gurus and big time experts forget what it’s like to be just starting out, and this is where you can bring an advantage to the table.
Stop Comparing Yourself To Others
It is easy to start to compare yourself to other bloggers or others in your field of work. Many times you see the success of others who are experts and you feel like you are a failure because you aren’t seeing the results they are getting.
You are where you are in your journey. You are not where they are in their journey. Stop beating yourself up because you haven’t met some magical number another person said you should be at by now.
You have put in the work to bring you where you are, and therefore you have improved from where you started. Your improvement and movement forward is what is important.
Tell Yourself It’s Imposter Syndrome
When the self doubt starts rising up, tell yourself that it’s just imposter syndrome.
Just letting yourself know that there is a reason, other than the reasons your brain has conjured up, as to why you are feeling the way you are lightens the load.
By doing this you are letting yourself know that you are in fact just creating the feelings yourself and people actually aren’t thinking this about you.
Remember You Aren’t The Only One
Remember there are plenty of others out there suffering from imposter syndrome.
You are not alone.
So don’t beat yourself up over having self doubt.
Read Books About Imposter Syndrome
There are quite a few highly recommended books about imposter syndrome and from those who have suffered from it. One is even by Shonda Rhimes!
- Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
- The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women: Why Capable People Suffer from the Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of It by Valerie Young
- Imposter Syndrome Remedy: How to improve your self-worth, feel confident about yourself, and stop feeling like a fraud! by Emee Vida Estacio
- The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance—What Women Should Know by Katty Kay & Claire Shipman
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Imposter Syndrome is an interesting one and affects everyone at some point. Blogging is a very critical environment there is always someone achieving more. great post x
I think that this is a great post. I feel this way, like a blogging failure constantly. I think that I don’t know many things but I guess not many people do! Thanks for sharing your advice. It’s been really helpful and thought provoking.
Laura / https://www.laustworld.com/
I agree that comparison is a killer to success and being happy. I think that is why I stopped doing it!
This is an interesting and same time helpful post, I didn’t know much of this, thanks for sharing this good article.
What a great post- so relevant to my experience. It can be so rife in my life (rhymes!)- in my work, in my blogging, in my parenting. Sometimes I even feel like an imposter in myself as a valuable adult human being!
Written in a lovely and compassionate that opens up connection and reduces isolation.
Thank you,
Sieve 😁