Imposter syndrome—let’s talk about it. We looked at this once before, but it deserves to be explored and reviewed frequently. You can see our previous blog post about this topic here. If you’ve ever created something, whether it’s a painting, a poem, or even a beautifully decorated cake, chances are you’ve felt it: that nagging little voice whispering, “You’re not really good at this. People are going to find out you don’t know what you’re doing.” It’s frustrating and honestly a little heartbreaking, isn’t it? You pour your heart into your work, but instead of pride, you’re met with doubt. That’s imposter syndrome for you—and it’s something so many creative people wrestle with.
At its core, imposter syndrome is this persistent belief that you’re not as capable or talented as others think you are. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been painting for twenty years or sold hundreds of your creations—it’s the sneaky feeling that you’ve somehow managed to fool everyone, and it’s just a matter of time before you’re “exposed.” The irony? People with imposter syndrome are often incredibly skilled and hardworking, but they’re too busy picking apart their flaws to see it.
So why does this hit creative people so hard? I think it has a lot to do with how personal creativity is. When you make art, you’re putting a little piece of yourself out into the world. That makes it feel vulnerable, like you’re saying, “Here, this is me. Do you like it?” And if there’s even a hint of criticism—or worse, silence—it’s easy to interpret that as rejection of you, not just your work. It’s a high-stakes game that can make even the most confident artist second-guess themselves.
Another piece of the puzzle is comparison. Thanks to social media, we’re constantly bombarded with images of other people’s work, often accompanied by captions about how quickly or effortlessly they created it. It’s almost impossible not to compare your behind-the-scenes struggles with their polished final product. Of course, what we don’t see are the hours they spent reworking a sketch or doubting their choices. But our brains don’t always care about the reality—they just see “better than me” and run with it.
Perfectionism also feeds into imposter syndrome. If you’re the type who sets impossibly high standards for yourself, you might feel like anything less than perfection isn’t worth celebrating. You downplay your accomplishments because, in your mind, they don’t count unless they’re flawless. And let’s face it, when it comes to art, “flawless” doesn’t even exist. Art is subjective—what one person loves, another might not understand at all. But when you’re in the throes of imposter syndrome, it’s hard to remember that.
There’s also the societal pressure to “make it” as an artist. We live in a culture that often equates success with money or fame. If you’re not selling out galleries or racking up followers, it’s easy to feel like you’re failing, even if you’re making incredible work. And for those who do find success, imposter syndrome can creep in with thoughts like, “I just got lucky,” or “I don’t deserve this.”
So, what can you do about it? Well, the first step is recognizing that imposter syndrome is a liar. It thrives in silence and isolation, so talk about it with other creatives. You’ll be surprised how many people say, “Oh my gosh, me too!” Knowing you’re not alone can take a lot of the sting out of it. Also, take time to celebrate your wins, no matter how small they seem. Finished a painting? That’s a win. Tried a new technique? Another win. Those little moments of pride add up and can help counteract the negative voice in your head.
Finally, try to shift your perspective. Instead of focusing on whether your work is “good enough,” focus on the joy of creating. Remember why you started in the first place. Was it to prove something to others, or was it because you love it? At the end of the day, the only person who needs to believe in your art is you. And let’s be real—if you’re showing up, putting in the work, and creating from the heart, you’re already more than good enough.
If you are a visual learner, we also have a video about this on our channel, The Artistic Diva.
