In true imposter fashion, I realized last night that I can not write a blog about imposter syndrome because I have never experienced it and only a true imposters would have enough expertise to comprehend this subject. I should probably leave it to them and back out before anyone realizes that I am a complete fraud.
What is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter syndrome is a psychological pattern in which a person is unable to internalize their achievements and believes that at any moment they could be exposed as a fraud. This phenomenon was first identified in the 1970s by Dr. Pauline Rose Clance and Dr. Suzanne Imes. At that time they theorized that women were uniquely affected by imposter syndrome.
I read their paper, The Imposter Phenomenon in High Achieving Women, and found myself relating to some of the patterns of thought reported in female college students and faculty. They reported situations in which women would remain silent in the face of an apposing view point, or would refuse to take credit for an accomplishment, even casting doubt on their own abilities. The paper suggest that society’s perception of women plays a strong role in how women relate to themselves and to other women. Our society seems unable to conflate femininity with success. This has taught our daughters to believe that they cannot be successful, therefor any success that they have achieved must have been accidental and unrelated to their own abilities.
Including Intersectionality
Clance and Imes had some very strong points, however the paper is lacking in acknowledgment of intersectionality. Imposter syndrome is not solely experienced by women. It has the ability to rear its ugly head in any group that has been undermined or outcasted by society. This includes, but is not limited to racial and ethnic minorities, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, and people working in professions that are undervalued.
The Uniquely Affected
Though Imposter syndrome is found all over and in different industries, the art industry is uniquely affected. In the art industry, the artist offers a little piece of themself with each product they sell. Rejection of the art sold can feel like a personal rejection of the artist.
Just like the academically accomplished women in Clance and Imes’ study, an artist’s perception of themselves and other artists is a reflection of how society views them. In our society, artists are often under appreciated. Art is considered to be a nonessential luxury, that will only be supported by audiences that have large disposable incomes. Authorities in the art world will tell up and coming artists that the likelihood of their success is very slim.
This response from society has done a lot to discourage artists that may otherwise be active parts of the creative community. Artists feel less inclined to advocate for themselves, often accepting low pay for hard work and hesitating to promote their own art business. Some artists even feel unsure about being identified as an artist. Questions like, “How do you know when you are a real artist?” circulate art forums. This level of self doubt is not easy to contend with, and has turned many people from the creative path.
We Are In Good Company
Personally, I have fought with imposter syndrome through out my career as an artist. From what I have read about famous and wildly successful artists, it is a feeling that never truly leaves you. Some accomplished artists have shared about completing a well received piece of work and then worrying that they will never make anything better than that. Some have expressed doubts that their work was ever truly good, and that the public will figure it out some day.
I feel comforted by the idea that no one really knows exactly what they are doing. We are united as a community by our shared experience of making shit up as we go. Anyone who really knows what they are doing has arrived at that peaceful place in their mind by trial and error. We all deserve to be here as much as the person next to us and we are all imposters.
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