Imposter Syndrome
A resource sheet for artists who feel like they’re faking it — even when they’re not
What Is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter Syndrome isn’t a diagnosis. It’s a phrase used to describe a very real, very common experience: the persistent fear of being exposed as a fraud — despite external evidence of success.
It’s that feeling that says:
I’m not good enough.
I don’t belong here.
It was just luck.
One mistake and they’ll finally see who I really am.
Imposter feelings don’t go away with more achievements. In fact, they often grow with success — the more visible you become, the more exposed you feel.
It’s More Common Than You Think
Imposter Syndrome is not a pathology. It’s a human experience. Especially in environments marked by:
constant evaluation
intense competition
isolation
structural inequity
Artists often live under all four.
“Every artist, true artist, struggles with an overwhelming sense of feeling like you're not worthy.” – Viola Davis
“I once thought I had creative talent, but I gave up the idea. A woman shouldn't aspire to compose – there has never been one who could. Should I assume I'm the only one who could?” – Clara Schumann
The Inner Monologue of the Imposter
It often sounds like:
“If I mess up the next performance, people will realize I’m not actually that good.”
“I’m completely overrated.”
“Let’s be honest — everything I’ve achieved has probably just been luck.”
These thoughts can be relentless. And because they’re often hidden behind polished performances and public praise, they tend to create a particular kind of loneliness.
Two Common Patterns: Perfectionism and Procrastination
Perfectionism is often driven by fear, not by high standards. It’s an attempt to avoid exposure.
“Perfectionism is avoidant behavior: those who work perfectly can neither be blamed nor dismissed… It is based on an unfree, neurotic fear of being faulty, which freezes the soul like the mouse in front of the snake.” – Raphael M. Bonelli
Procrastination often appears on the flip side. For many “gifted kids,” success came easily — until it didn’t. When real challenge arrives, the fear of not living up to the image becomes paralyzing.
Systemic Roots of Imposter Syndrome
It’s easier to feel like an imposter when:
no one in your field looks like you
you come from a less privileged background
your work is evaluated by elite, often opaque standards
In a world with more equity, opportunity, and recognition of diverse strengths, there would be less Imposter Syndrome.
What Helps
1. Letting the Good (Enough) In
Excellence and self-worth are not the same thing. Many artists conflate them.
We can learn to distinguish:
Careful preparation from obsessive over-control
Meaningful feedback from shame spirals
A flawed performance from a flawed self
“Practice like it means everything in the world to you. Perform like you don’t give a damn.” – Attributed to Jascha Heifetz
Letting the good enough in means allowing yourself to absorb the parts that did go well. To let them land. To remember: art is not a test. It's a transmission.
2. Cultivating Authenticity
Imposter feelings thrive in environments of pretense.
Living authentically isn’t about perfect self-expression — it’s about staying connected to your values, even when they rub up against the needs of the (imperfect) world. It’s a daily dance between your truth and your context.
To live authentically doesn’t mean never compromising. It means knowing why you choose what you choose — and noticing when you've strayed too far from yourself.
3. Speaking the Shame
Shame isolates. One of the cruelest effects of Imposter Syndrome is the belief that you’re the only one.
Talking about it changes everything.
“Shame needs three things to grow out of control in our lives: secrecy, silence, and judgment.” – Brené Brown
When artists speak openly about doubt, fraudulence, and fear, they chip away at the culture that keeps these experiences hidden — and in doing so, create space for others to breathe.
At The Green Room
At The Green Room, we understand the toll that Imposter Syndrome can take — not just on careers, but on self-trust, relationships, and creative vitality.
We offer:
Individual counseling sessions for artists in English or German
A place to unpack old stories and find new ones
Support in turning inner critics into curious collaborators
Whether you’re just starting out or well into your career, you don’t have to carry this alone.
Final Thought
You don’t need to feel confident to be real.
You don’t need to be perfect to belong.
You don’t need to wait until the fear disappears to speak, perform, or create.
Imposter Syndrome is not proof you’re a fraud.
It’s proof you care.
Author: Heather O’Donnell - psychologist, artistic-systemic therapist and founding director of TGR The Green Room