Overcoming Imposter Syndrome as a New Blogger: Embracing the Journey
Starting a new blog is exhilarating. You’ve finally decided to share your voice, your thoughts, your passion with the world. The blank page is full of potential, and your mind is bursting with ideas. But, wait. There it is. That nagging feeling creeping up on you, whispering in your ear. “Who do you think you are? You’re not a real writer. No one will read this. You’re a fraud.”
That, my friend, is imposter syndrome, and it’s more common than you might think.
What is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter syndrome is that insidious feeling of self-doubt that convinces you that you’re not good enough, that you’re a fraud, and that it’s only a matter of time before everyone else figures it out too. It’s the feeling that despite your accomplishments, you don’t deserve success. It’s the fear that you’re fooling everyone, including yourself.
For new bloggers, imposter syndrome can be particularly paralyzing. You’re stepping into a world that might seem intimidating, with established voices that seem so much more knowledgeable and experienced. The fear of not measuring up can be overwhelming.
Is Imposter Syndrome Unique to Blogging?
Oh gosh, no! Before moving to the US and becoming a stay-at-home wife, I spent over 20 years as a nurse in the UK, working in an acute healthcare setting. I loved my job, the people, my colleagues, and the patients. My career thrived, and I advanced to clinical site management. I lived and breathed my work, to a fault and to great personal cost at times.
But, honestly, there still wasn’t a single day without some doubts. And I believe that’s a healthy thing. No one needs a nurse who’s too arrogant to double-check things in critical, life-and-death situations, just to appear like she has it all together (newsflash: no one does!)
I would hasten to bed that most of us, no matter what field we work in, how great a stay at home wife we are etc, I think if we were all really honest sometimes we just don’t feel like we know all the things.
But how, specifically, might imposter syndrome affect you in your blogging career?
How Imposter Syndrome Manifests in Blogging
Imposter syndrome can manifest in various ways, and as a new blogger, you might experience it more intensely. Here’s how it might show up:
- Perfectionism: You obsess over every word, every sentence, every image. Nothing ever feels good enough to publish.
- Procrastination: You find yourself putting off writing or publishing because you’re convinced it’s not ready, or you’re not ready.
- Self-Doubt: Every time you hit “publish,” you’re filled with anxiety. “What if no one reads this? What if they do, and they hate it?”
- Comparison: You constantly compare your work to others, feeling like you’re not even in the same league as the bloggers you admire.
- Discrediting Success: When you do achieve something, you attribute it to luck, timing, or someone else’s help rather than your own abilities.
Signs and Symptoms of Imposter Syndrome
Recognizing imposter syndrome is the first step in overcoming it. Here are some signs and symptoms to watch out for:
- Constant Worrying About Being Exposed: The persistent fear that people will “find out” you’re not as talented or knowledgeable as they think you are.
- Undermining Your Achievements: Dismissing your accomplishments as unimportant or as a result of external factors.
- Overworking: Pushing yourself to work harder and harder, as if you need to prove your worth constantly.
- Avoiding Challenges: Shying away from new opportunities or projects because you fear you’ll fail.
- Negative Self-Talk: That inner critic constantly telling you that you’re not good enough.
The Toxic Side of Self-Awareness
Imposter syndrome is like self-awareness gone wrong. Self-awareness is generally a good thing; it keeps you grounded, humble, and striving to improve. But when self-awareness turns toxic, it becomes a hindrance rather than a help. It morphs into a voice that constantly undermines your abilities, telling you that you’re not worthy, that you’re a fraud.
This toxic self-awareness can trap you in a cycle of self-doubt and inaction. Instead of using your awareness to grow, you use it to beat yourself down. It’s crucial to recognize this pattern and break free from it.
Tips and Advice to Overcome Imposter Syndrome
The good news? You’re not alone, and you can overcome imposter syndrome. Here’s how:
Acknowledge It
The first step to overcoming imposter syndrome is acknowledging that it exists. Accept that these feelings are a common part of the human experience, especially when stepping out of your comfort zone.
Celebrate Small Wins
Every post you publish is a victory. Celebrate it. Don’t wait for the big milestones; recognize and celebrate every small step you take. Each one is a testament to your commitment and growth.
Stop Comparing
Comparison is the thief of joy. Remember, every blogger started where you are now. The ones you admire most likely battled with imposter syndrome too. Focus on your journey, not theirs.
Keep Learning
Instead of seeing your lack of experience as a weakness, view it as an opportunity to learn. Blogging is a journey, and there’s always something new to learn. Embrace the learning process.
Find Your Community
Connect with other bloggers, especially those who are also starting out. Sharing your experiences and hearing about others’ struggles can be incredibly reassuring.
Challenge Negative Thoughts
When those negative thoughts creep in, challenge them. Ask yourself if they’re based on facts or just fear. Replace them with positive affirmations.
Seek Feedback
Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback from others. Constructive criticism can help you grow, and positive feedback can reinforce your confidence.
Embrace Imperfection
No post will ever be perfect. Aim for progress, not perfection. Remember, done is better than perfect.
Write for Yourself First
Before worrying about your audience, write for yourself. Let your passion and authenticity shine through. The right audience will resonate with your voice.
It was so freeing for me when my husband gave me the advice just to write for someone like me, who didn’t know it all, was interested in the things I was interested in and who wasn’t some big scary projected crowd of keyboard warriors judging me from far away! Try it!
Remember Your Why
Why did you start blogging? Keep that purpose in mind. Let it guide you and remind you why your voice matters.
The Persistent Nature of Self-Doubt
Here’s the thing: even experienced bloggers, the ones who seem to have it all figured out, still experience self-doubt. Imposter syndrome doesn’t magically disappear after you’ve been blogging for a while. It might evolve, becoming less frequent or taking on different forms, but it never truly goes away.
And that’s okay.
Self-doubt can be a sign that you care deeply about what you’re doing. It shows that you’re invested in your work and want to do your best. The key is not to let it paralyze you. Acknowledge it, then move forward despite it.
The Gift of Authenticity
Imposter syndrome often stems from the belief that you need to be something or someone you’re not to succeed. But the truth is, authenticity is your greatest asset as a blogger. Readers are drawn to genuine voices. They want to hear from real people with real experiences, not perfect personas.
Your unique perspective, your voice, your story—these are what make your blog special. Don’t try to imitate others or be what you think others want you to be. Be yourself. That’s more than enough.
For me, when I struggle big time with understanding and learning the complexities of SEO I just remember that as a newbie blogger I AM THE SEO!
I am literally typing into google ten questions every day, some I find answers to but more often than not I don’t. And so what do I do to leverage this knowledge gap? I learn everything I can about it and then I write the article I was searching for because I know someone else out there has to be feeling the same way.
So, leverage your uniqueness, your exact situation, your struggles, and let them propel you further and inspire you to overcome an obstacle and then stretch out a hand for someone else who is struggling too!
The Power of Persistence
Blogging is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s about persistence, showing up even when you don’t feel like it, even when the self-doubt is loudest. It’s about pushing through the discomfort and continuing to share your voice with the world.
Remember, every blogger you admire started somewhere. They faced the same fears, doubts, and obstacles. What set them apart was their decision to keep going. You can do the same!
Resources
[ad] If you’re interested in learning more about how to overcome imposter syndrome click on my links below to purchase some books on the topic from the Amazon website:
Encouragement for the Journey
So, take a deep breath. You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to have it all figured out. Just start. Share your voice. Learn as you go. And remember, the very fact that you’re feeling imposter syndrome means you’re doing something brave, something worthwhile.
Keep going. The world is waiting to hear what you have to say, and your story REALLY matters.
Share
As always I’d love to hear from you – let me know in the comments below if you’ve been dealing with imposter syndrome and have any tips to share that weren’t mentioned!
