TUTORIAL // imposter syndrome
Added 2024-01-05 19:04:34 +0000 UTCIt's the first tutorial of 2024! This one is actually more like a lecture or video essay. I wanted to do a deeper dive into the topic of imposter syndrome after getting questions about it in last month's Q&A session! So here's my take on this phenomenon, including some lessons on how to deal with it, skills you can work on to move past it, and a lot of opinions on the nature of anxiety and life in general! I hope you like it ❤
Here's the cheat sheet, which you can also find at the bottom of the post as a .pdf file:
I also mention a worksheet for setting goals in the tutorial. You can find the worksheet in the attachments below as well!
I mention a podcast in this video. It's called the Flip Thinking Podcast and I really recommend it if you're interested in mental health subjects like these. Dutch speakers can find way more of this content in the original version, Omdenken podcast! There are two specific episodes I can recommend that tie in closely with the themes in this video:
Here are some other tutorials that you might find helpful:
- A roadmap for artistic growth - this one can help you troubleshoot which areas of your art you can work on.
- Using your creative spark to generate ideas - this tutorial elaborates more on artistic routine and how to plan your drawing time.
Let me know what your thoughts are on this video! I hope it helps you set some wonderful art goals for 2024 ✨
Comments
"Not knowing if you're on the right track' That kills me! No time to mess this up.
Justine
2025-06-10 15:39:25 +0000 UTCThank you so much for this Lois
Pedro Cavalcante
2024-12-05 16:22:45 +0000 UTCthanks so much Petra!
Loish
2024-11-18 13:08:21 +0000 UTCThis is so valuable.
Petra
2024-11-14 19:04:13 +0000 UTCMan, I feel like I'm in my therapy session with this video--in the best way! I often feel like this and didn't even realize it was imposter syndrome, but this has been so helpful and set my mind at ease. Thank you so much for creating this. Sometimes I think artists who are my inspiration don't feel like this, but it's kind of nice to know everyone goes through it and it's normal and manageable.
Shelby Goodwin
2024-09-20 18:34:57 +0000 UTCso glad you found it helpful Kim! I also felt the same for a long time, but upon reflection realized that I had internalized a lot of negative beliefs that many people have about artists. It's strange how that kind of thing can go unnoticed for a long time!
Loish
2024-08-12 12:41:03 +0000 UTCI know this is an older post, but thank you for this! I always thought I didn't have impostor syndrome, but it turns out I do, haha, and it's frequently left me unable to create for months at a time. I'm going to take all the advice you gave, super helpful!
Kim Myatt
2024-08-09 10:57:47 +0000 UTCi'm so glad to hear that you find it helpful!
Loish
2024-03-11 09:17:04 +0000 UTCLoish, thank you so much for posting this video. I am a 50 year old Entertainment Designer that is trying to make the switch over into the Art World. This video really hit home with me being that I am trying to venture into something new.
Séan Patrick Small
2024-03-10 20:57:39 +0000 UTCI definitely relate to that one. I had such a weird feeling about working in the AAA game industry as somebody who only plays sudoku from time to time. In the end it wasn't as big of an issue as I thought it would be but sometimes I felt very different from my colleagues.
Loish
2024-03-08 15:52:47 +0000 UTCI'm currently working in the game industry, and I also have moments where I feel like I don't really fit in here. I get nervous when people ask me about what I do for work, because I think when most people hear "games," they assume that I must be a huge gamer, which I'm not, really.
Tala
2024-03-06 21:08:22 +0000 UTCI’m really happy to hear that! And you’re not alone. So many people I know are going through a tough time lately, including me 😅 hang in there!
Loish
2024-01-28 08:48:29 +0000 UTCI just wanted to say thankyou for doing this video - I’ve really been going through it lately, and this helped me to understand what was going on and how I could deal with it. All of your content is really helpful and well-put-together, but this really broke things down and hit on another level - thankyou so much!
Jess Diggins
2024-01-28 08:37:28 +0000 UTCThanks so much for joining my patreon ♥️ it means a lot to me! I hope you enjoy the content here and don’t hesitate to message me if you have trouble finding anything!
Loish
2024-01-26 09:48:18 +0000 UTCWhoops. Sorry for the accidentall spam that came after this comment, but as I wrote Patreon is a new platform for me.
vibbar
2024-01-26 09:46:43 +0000 UTCJust wanted to join the party and thanks for the video. It made me realize something I probably knew on some level and that is that I tried to fit in drawing sessions when there's really wasn't going to work and then felt bad for putting it up. Now I'm going to try and change that. I've been following you on other platforms but just recently became a Patreon so this is the first video I see here. Hopefully the rest will help me too. I bet they will. 🙂❤️
vibbar
2024-01-26 09:41:34 +0000 UTCI’m so glad you like it!
Loish
2024-01-13 10:17:39 +0000 UTCI think this is the best video I have ever watched on this subject! I'm a new member here and I love the amount of effort and design put into all the videos and materials. Thank YOU!
Brian Rogers
2024-01-13 07:44:24 +0000 UTCExactly! I also noticed how realizing that imposter syndrome is just another kind of intrusive though made it way easier for me to distance myself from it. Also, imposter syndrome's close relation to anxiety was something I hadn't thought about, but which definitely resonated with me when you mentioned it in the video. I think that being aware of this relationship makes it easier to nib it in the bud, before the imposter syndrome spirals into anxiety or vice versa.
LQ
2024-01-10 22:46:03 +0000 UTCYeah that's true! The episodes feel like short CBT sessions which I really appreciate. I also like how both guests and the host have some really interesting takes on things.
Noukah
2024-01-10 12:59:20 +0000 UTCI’m so glad you like it! The podcast is a bit of an acquired taste, but as soon as you get a sense of how the host tries to find underlying patterns and overcome them, it’s such a helpful formula to apply to your own life.
Loish
2024-01-10 11:38:34 +0000 UTCGlad you found it helpful! I think it’s especially common in the game industry because gaming is so competitive and skill-based. I think any type of work in the game industry will have some correlations with a desire to show your skills. Thanks for your kind comments and I hope this year is great for you too!
Loish
2024-01-10 11:37:50 +0000 UTCI think everyone has it to some extent! But I think those of us who realized that we have it have a better shot at being able to overcome these fears that we have. And that’s extra important for people who do creative work!
Loish
2024-01-10 11:36:31 +0000 UTCThis was such a good video! It’s amazing how many of the things I thought were my personal shortcomings are actually normal and just some of the signs of imposter syndrome... and things that tons of people deal with too. It's oddly reassuring to know that I'm not alone in my struggles lol! Also, the driving example was so familiar; I remember taking my driver’s exam and thinking “I can’t imagine myself ever driving” and then I hit the curb and failed the exam…. lol…I passed it later tho. I think there are a lot of instances where my imposter syndrome caused me to self-sabotage….
LQ
2024-01-10 01:28:19 +0000 UTCThank you a lot for this topic I'm working in video game industry, somethime it's complicated for me to not compare himself with different, skills, style etc. Like you said, all we have a struggle et weakness this video helping a lot and it's very great to hear that we are not alone in this situation. I'm happy to joins you this community and i give all of you happy new year ! Thank again :)
Quentin Gillet
2024-01-09 14:07:15 +0000 UTCThank you for a wonderful video! I love discussing and learning about these kind of topics. I'm recognizing so much in all of the examples, especially about worrying about saying the wrong things. That's something that I'm currently trying to work on. Listening to the Flip Thinking podcast right now, what a gem, thank you so much for recommending it.
Noukah
2024-01-09 13:54:02 +0000 UTCI’m so glad you find it helpful! It can be challenging to find our paths, but it can be so much harder when anxiety dominates the experience.
Loish
2024-01-09 08:48:57 +0000 UTCHaha thanks! This is definitely the type of stuff I’d like to see discussed on formats like TED talks.
Loish
2024-01-09 08:47:49 +0000 UTCI think having such a strong negative reaction to being called an artist is definitely a sign that you have imposter syndrome!
Loish
2024-01-09 08:44:32 +0000 UTCThank you! I definitely want to do more videos about mindset and mental health.
Loish
2024-01-09 08:43:53 +0000 UTCI’m glad you like it!
Loish
2024-01-09 08:43:29 +0000 UTCI never really feel like an artists and I would cringe so much when people called me one, because for me it was always like - no, I’m not an artist, because I’m not good like the others, so I don’t belong
Zeliha
2024-01-08 20:24:56 +0000 UTCSo happy to hear that! ♥️
Loish
2024-01-07 14:30:19 +0000 UTCThanks for your kind words ♥️
Loish
2024-01-07 14:30:06 +0000 UTCYes! That’s really important, because then you can take in new information that challenges these underlying beliefs that we have. We need to keep taking in a wide range of experiences, even if they’re scary!
Loish
2024-01-07 14:29:52 +0000 UTCI’m happy to hear you like it!
Loish
2024-01-07 14:28:19 +0000 UTCI’m so glad! I struggle with the same things which is why I want to talk about it. You’re not alone!
Loish
2024-01-07 14:27:51 +0000 UTCGirl. You made me cry. I desperately needed this. Not just with my art, but in life. I always feel like I don’t deserve to be here most days. Thank you for making this video.
Christina May
2024-01-07 10:33:44 +0000 UTCThank you for this video and the podcast recommendation!
Annett
2024-01-07 09:32:22 +0000 UTCThank you so much for making this video! I’ve been struggling with this for so long now, and you made so many wonderful points 💖✨
Savannah
2024-01-07 02:03:55 +0000 UTCThank you so much for this!! I think my anxiety brings this on a lot. I can overthinking about all the negative (and little positive) stuff that end up leaving me feeling overwhelmed, which makes me feel guilty for stopping my own progress. My therapist taught me to just DO it, even if it’s small.
Onceuponaray
2024-01-06 18:42:16 +0000 UTCYou always have the right thing to say, thank you loish for being so incredible helpful <3
Carmen Redondo
2024-01-06 15:36:13 +0000 UTCHi Loish! I’m new to your Patreon and I’m loving it so far especially your tutorials, they helped me get out of my art block finally🩵☁️
Zeliha
2024-01-06 13:11:30 +0000 UTCThe podcast is such a gem! It had a huge influence on this video. Thanks for the kind words!
Loish
2024-01-06 09:57:39 +0000 UTCThank you for this video! And shout out to Berthold (I’ve listened to every single episode of ‘de omdenken podcast’). I recently started drawing again, and I’m struggling a bit. As a full time art teacher I can draw, but not on the level that I want to be able to. My standards are set unrealistically high. Sometimes reading ‘the gap’ by Ira Glass helps, but the way you lay out imposter syndrome in this structured video helps me more right now. So thank you. All the best for the new year!
Unexpected Output
2024-01-06 00:04:01 +0000 UTCWell this is something I'm gonna read more about, cause I identified with much of what you said, but never really knew it was that. I really like this type of videos and I think it is something that you could do more of. Also I love the new graphics.
Mizidora
2024-01-05 22:10:47 +0000 UTCThis is a *REALLY* well put together video, and there were things that you worded that I really like. Thanks for tackling this subject.
Yurika
2024-01-05 20:39:58 +0000 UTCThank you so much, Loish!
Yara Proença
2024-01-05 20:37:11 +0000 UTCTo be honest, I only heard about the term 'imposter syndrome' for the first time about three or four years ago? The singer Ellie Goulding was suffering from it too. Very good structured video with a very healthy, clear view of the problem and lots of useful tips! Well done!
Frederik Gheysen
2024-01-05 20:35:29 +0000 UTCThank you and happy new year 🎈🎊🎆
Lisa
2024-01-05 19:53:51 +0000 UTCThis is amazing and you articulate it so well. Now, when’s your TedTalk ? 😎
Abbey Emmert
2024-01-05 19:53:26 +0000 UTCI needed to hear this so badly! I'm at a point in my art journey where I don't know where I stand, or which way should I move and it's so overwhelming.
jendy
2024-01-05 19:49:21 +0000 UTCI just wanna say thank you for this video, I was kind of feeling bad lately about this topic and this make me feel incredibly better. I’m a beginner artist and I’m constantly worried about the future and that I’m not good enough to be an artist but this video truly helped me. Now I know that I’m going to be ok, thank you 🫶
Kiki
2024-01-05 19:39:19 +0000 UTC
