Really appreciate this post. I particularly related to this: “We are in an age of self-optimization-even-at-the-cost-of-self-obliteration. I do not think art comes from such sanitized environments.” Inspired to shift my energy from solving/fixing me to just being me.
This is a lovely post and one I agree with wholeheartedly. It's taken me quite some time to realize that erasing is the mistake. I still am tempted to refine and do, but I try to come at it from a place of "What am I trying to say and how can I say it clearer?" instead of "How can I make this a perfect drawing." which I've learned is a BIG difference. Thank you for sharing.
I read somewhere that imposter syndrome is so common that it ought to be called the imposter effect—one of the cognitive biases that is just part of being human.
Hearing Simone Biles talk about it made me realise that no amount of getting "better" at the work will cure imposter syndrome. We all just have to keep showing up and drawing or hitting publish anyway.
I've been gradually unsubscribing from most newsletters. I guess I´m tired of so much input. Silence and space are the priority, at the moment.
Yet, your emails are more like conversations we could be having with a tea (or coffee) cup in hands.
You're so plain honest about how you feel, your thoughts, doubts and everything in between, that I fall into the illusion (well, consciously, so... it's OK!) that I'm actually reading a letter from a friend, with whom I can exchange ideas. Isn't that nice?
And yes, our imperfections are precisely what connects us. It's kind of a relief to witness other's hesitations and doubts: you (me!) immediately understand and forgive all of it (and forgive yourself by extension). And if we're honest... no one really wants perfection in anything. What a boring life it would be! (well... there's still Mozart, though... :D )
Carla, I am SO happy to hear that! From the beginning I have been conscious of the special/fragile nature of an inbox relationship. Sometimes it makes me afraid to send out a post like this, because I have to guess what a growing number of readers see as my role in their inbox. But at other times it feels like the most/only correct thing to do. I would love to hear from you more often as this is indeed a conversation. Imperfections humanize us, and we need to be more human in all the ways we can right now.
Congrats on 250th post and thank you for writing this. Not only imposter syndrome, curing any kind of behavioural issues can be toxic. Social media frenzy is constantly reminding us that the way we live our lives is wrong. As soon as we "self diagnose" the issue, be it procrastination or imposter syndrome or even attention deficiency, we are on the problem solving mode. The hamster wheel starts there !. Hundreds of influencers suggest thousands of methods to cure various behavioural issues that we have self diagnosed. It drives you to a state of constant observing, introspection and judging and finally leaves you frustrated due to the lack of progress in the self improvement.
Having said that, there will be many areas you need to make changes or improvement. An action-based approach is what I found useful, not that I am successful in it. But look at you ! you are already doing that by pressing publish on your 250th post.
Thank you Chithrabhanu, just trundling along to do what I have to do. 🙏 I agree about social media and self diagnosis, there is an idea that we are somehow above nature. It is just another kind of detox pill.
This is a really profound post! I especially love the last section. I’ve never thought of it in those terms before, but I 100% agree that curing your imposter syndrome is a mistake. (I also love the Miles Davis quote at the beginning!)
Thank you so much for this, Nishant! I want to go on and on and on about how true it all is and all the wonderful writers and singers and dancers and nascent mathematicians I’ve known for whom imposter syndrome became too overwhelming to pursue their love, and how sad it has made me, but really just want to say YES.
So true, Antonia. I only know what I know, and maybe this doesn't even apply to everyone. But maybe the crux of my piece was against the notion of perfectionism and optimization of self. Just one more bad idea along the route of self objectification.
Indeed it is. Couldn't agree more. And I think you actually made the point -- it's not about overcoming imposter syndrome, but about learning to coexist with it.
The most refreshing article I’ve read in a long time. Started drawing at 84 and now 88 and haven’t missed a day. It’s added something wonderful to an already beautiful life. It all started with your sneaky art. A huge thank you xx
Absolutely agree - even when I want to "solve it" and thinking that someday I will "arrive" and never feel the imposter again. There's comfort in knowing I never will arrive and that's okay. I can set it down and let it rest. Thanks for the timely, important post - and enjoy your travels!
The imposter syndrome has been like this family member with whom I have this love-hate relationship. I nodded wholeheartedly at every word you wrote. Totally agree. Whether we are aware or not of its existence within us, it is there and remains with us for the remainder of our earthly existence. I also feel there is nothing to cure. It is not a disease. It journeys with us. When we grow, it grows. When we evolve, it evolves. I used to regard Imposter Syndrome as a thorn that had to be removed or ignored in order for me to conduct my life authentically. Your article reassured me, confirmed my suspicion, that perhaps I could embrace this phenomenon and consider it my mentor. I have met and have come to know of so many individuals, including you, who do what they do passionately and expertly and to my surprise, yet admit to feeling the imposter syndrome. So, I concluded that perhaps all this time I had been looking at this all wrong. Thank you for sharing this beautiful piece and of course, for all the incredible and inspiring work — art, writing, podcasts — you have tiredlessly shared all these years. I am grateful for the privilege, my friend.
So true! Art can teach us about life in that respect. And this is something I love about analog art. I used to do a lot of digital art before, and the one drawback of being able to undo mistakes is that you never live with and grow to love your mistakes. There is no growth by accident!
Really appreciate this post. I particularly related to this: “We are in an age of self-optimization-even-at-the-cost-of-self-obliteration. I do not think art comes from such sanitized environments.” Inspired to shift my energy from solving/fixing me to just being me.
I am so glad to hear that Stephanie! 🙌
Oh, Stephanie! My thoughts, exactly. I've recently been told "You don't have to preoccupy yourself, not even to occupy yourself. You just have to be."
This is a lovely post and one I agree with wholeheartedly. It's taken me quite some time to realize that erasing is the mistake. I still am tempted to refine and do, but I try to come at it from a place of "What am I trying to say and how can I say it clearer?" instead of "How can I make this a perfect drawing." which I've learned is a BIG difference. Thank you for sharing.
You've nailed it. 🙌
Great post.
I read somewhere that imposter syndrome is so common that it ought to be called the imposter effect—one of the cognitive biases that is just part of being human.
Hearing Simone Biles talk about it made me realise that no amount of getting "better" at the work will cure imposter syndrome. We all just have to keep showing up and drawing or hitting publish anyway.
If Simone Biles can have it, surely none of us are safe! 😅
We're perfectly safe! We just think we're in danger.
I've been gradually unsubscribing from most newsletters. I guess I´m tired of so much input. Silence and space are the priority, at the moment.
Yet, your emails are more like conversations we could be having with a tea (or coffee) cup in hands.
You're so plain honest about how you feel, your thoughts, doubts and everything in between, that I fall into the illusion (well, consciously, so... it's OK!) that I'm actually reading a letter from a friend, with whom I can exchange ideas. Isn't that nice?
And yes, our imperfections are precisely what connects us. It's kind of a relief to witness other's hesitations and doubts: you (me!) immediately understand and forgive all of it (and forgive yourself by extension). And if we're honest... no one really wants perfection in anything. What a boring life it would be! (well... there's still Mozart, though... :D )
Carla, I am SO happy to hear that! From the beginning I have been conscious of the special/fragile nature of an inbox relationship. Sometimes it makes me afraid to send out a post like this, because I have to guess what a growing number of readers see as my role in their inbox. But at other times it feels like the most/only correct thing to do. I would love to hear from you more often as this is indeed a conversation. Imperfections humanize us, and we need to be more human in all the ways we can right now.
Congrats on 250th post and thank you for writing this. Not only imposter syndrome, curing any kind of behavioural issues can be toxic. Social media frenzy is constantly reminding us that the way we live our lives is wrong. As soon as we "self diagnose" the issue, be it procrastination or imposter syndrome or even attention deficiency, we are on the problem solving mode. The hamster wheel starts there !. Hundreds of influencers suggest thousands of methods to cure various behavioural issues that we have self diagnosed. It drives you to a state of constant observing, introspection and judging and finally leaves you frustrated due to the lack of progress in the self improvement.
Having said that, there will be many areas you need to make changes or improvement. An action-based approach is what I found useful, not that I am successful in it. But look at you ! you are already doing that by pressing publish on your 250th post.
Thank you Chithrabhanu, just trundling along to do what I have to do. 🙏 I agree about social media and self diagnosis, there is an idea that we are somehow above nature. It is just another kind of detox pill.
This is a really profound post! I especially love the last section. I’ve never thought of it in those terms before, but I 100% agree that curing your imposter syndrome is a mistake. (I also love the Miles Davis quote at the beginning!)
I use that quote in every drawing workshop too. ☺️
Thank you so much for this, Nishant! I want to go on and on and on about how true it all is and all the wonderful writers and singers and dancers and nascent mathematicians I’ve known for whom imposter syndrome became too overwhelming to pursue their love, and how sad it has made me, but really just want to say YES.
So true, Antonia. I only know what I know, and maybe this doesn't even apply to everyone. But maybe the crux of my piece was against the notion of perfectionism and optimization of self. Just one more bad idea along the route of self objectification.
Indeed it is. Couldn't agree more. And I think you actually made the point -- it's not about overcoming imposter syndrome, but about learning to coexist with it.
The most refreshing article I’ve read in a long time. Started drawing at 84 and now 88 and haven’t missed a day. It’s added something wonderful to an already beautiful life. It all started with your sneaky art. A huge thank you xx
I am so glad to hear that! Those are 4 beautiful years, it's so wonderful to hear from you. ❤️
Absolutely agree - even when I want to "solve it" and thinking that someday I will "arrive" and never feel the imposter again. There's comfort in knowing I never will arrive and that's okay. I can set it down and let it rest. Thanks for the timely, important post - and enjoy your travels!
All journey, no destination.
The imposter syndrome has been like this family member with whom I have this love-hate relationship. I nodded wholeheartedly at every word you wrote. Totally agree. Whether we are aware or not of its existence within us, it is there and remains with us for the remainder of our earthly existence. I also feel there is nothing to cure. It is not a disease. It journeys with us. When we grow, it grows. When we evolve, it evolves. I used to regard Imposter Syndrome as a thorn that had to be removed or ignored in order for me to conduct my life authentically. Your article reassured me, confirmed my suspicion, that perhaps I could embrace this phenomenon and consider it my mentor. I have met and have come to know of so many individuals, including you, who do what they do passionately and expertly and to my surprise, yet admit to feeling the imposter syndrome. So, I concluded that perhaps all this time I had been looking at this all wrong. Thank you for sharing this beautiful piece and of course, for all the incredible and inspiring work — art, writing, podcasts — you have tiredlessly shared all these years. I am grateful for the privilege, my friend.
"Art is imperfection reaching for an expression greater than itself." This says it all. It affirms that yes, indeed, I too am an artist. 🙏😉👍
Have fun seeing family in India!
Thank you!
So true! Art can teach us about life in that respect. And this is something I love about analog art. I used to do a lot of digital art before, and the one drawback of being able to undo mistakes is that you never live with and grow to love your mistakes. There is no growth by accident!
Well said, Jack!