I wanted to take some time to address a huge elephant that always seems to be in the room no matter how many years you’ve been doing this.
How to cope with imposter syndrome as a stationer.
So what is imposter syndrome?Well – in a nutshell (and these are just my words) someone who doesn’t feel worthy to be doing what they’re doing. I’m sure there can be many different variations of this definition when it comes to imposter syndrome.
For me personally, even 10+ years in and running two businesses, I still deal with imposter syndrome on the regular.
I’ll admit it – there are times where I don’t feel good enough for both my stationery clients and for you. Who am I to be teaching other stationers, who I am to be working with some amazing high-end couples on their stationery.
Originally I titled this post “overcoming imposter syndrome” but the more I wrote (and I promise – each of these posts are written from my heart) I decided that “coping with imposter syndrome” was a better fit. Because, honestly, I don’t think you ever truly “overcome” imposter syndrome.
I think as long as you’re drawing breath on this earth, there is something out there that makes us feel that way. I think it’s human nature.
Anyways – so what are some ways you can manage or cope with imposter syndrome? Well for me, it was figuring out why I feel like that when it comes to my businesses.
For me as a stationery designer, it would creep up when I would see these amazing suites that had impeccable watercolor artwork or amazing venue sketches, or (insert any artistic thing here). I can’t do any of that. I can not physically pick up a paintbrush or pen and do that. I wasn’t good enough.
BUT then somewhere among the inner turmoil, I realized that it was time to push the pity party aside because clearly, I was doing something right since I have been running a successful stationery business for the last 10 years that continues to grow and bring in my dream clients over and over again.
That’s when I discovered and fully grasped that there is a difference between an artist and a designer. And while I may lack every single skill to be an artist, I am a dang good designer and so proud of that.
I went to school to be a designer (some of the most amazing designers don’t though!) I was trained and I have a really good eye and a knack for seeing the full picture. My coping mechanism was latching on to what came naturally to me and fully embracing it.
And then a few years ago when I started dabbling in the educational realm and launched The Cultivated Creative, the highs also came with lows. WHO am I to be teaching you? WHAT qualifies me to be an educator.
And honestly, I don’t know – but I am honest with you in everything I do and the heart behind my mission is to help you grow as a stationer in even the smallest ways.
But the truth is, I am still learning and growing as I am teaching you, I still make mistakes, I still feel defeated some days, but I get back up and keep moving forward because of YOU. The comments, or email replies or DMs that come my way when someone finds something I did helpful for them and their business is worth its weight in gold compared to the self-doubt.
So if I can say anything to you – imposter syndrome is ok, and I promise you, you are not alone. You may not overcome it, but it can be coped with little by little.
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