Artists Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
Healing Zone 2: The Five Layers of Energy and the Artist Within
Each of us has a spark of creativity. It drives love, art, and inspiration. We deeply desire to share this artistry. Yet, traumas from our past can create invisible obstacles. These traumas are often from childhood. As we navigate our pre-teen and early teenage years (ages 7 to 14), we start to delve into relationships, self-worth, and our creativity. Traumatic experiences during these years can show up later. They can cause problems with intimacy, creativity, or self-esteem.
These hidden emotional energy blockages affect The Five Layers of Energy. They target the hip flexors and lower back muscles, as well as the reproductive organs and adrenal glands. Trauma can also make the nervous system sensitive, causing a shift to a fight-or-flight response. As I mentioned in the first Zones newsletter, we will first focus on emotions and the subconscious. Later, we will cover the nervous system, organs, glands, and muscles.
This energy dysregulation within The Five Layers Of Energy in Zone 2 often shapes the Shielded Archetype. They are known for their harshness, sarcasm, and distance. Usually, this hard exterior is a defense. It protects against past traumas. They do it to guard against more pain. They do it with both words and actions. Additionally, people in this archetype often put others' needs over their own. They follow a "We-All-I" mindset, which is the opposite of the healthier "I-We-All" view.
They often have the potential to excel as entrepreneurs. This path becomes more attainable as they reshape their subconscious mind. They must transform their perceptions, thoughts, habits, and paradigms. Moving from the Shielded Archetype to the Arist requires both a change and a shift. People often hesitate during these changes, especially for those seen as the Shielded Archetype. This reluctance stems from two primary concerns.
The thought of changing and putting their own needs first can cause a lot of inner conflict. This is especially true when those around them are not accustomed to such behavior. Traditionally, they might have put others first. They managed duties and gave help. So, this shift towards self-prioritization can be startling, leading to tension and misunderstanding.
This change can cause discomfort. It can trigger resistance among those who rely on their constant support. The tension strains relationships. It also leads to guilt in the person making the change. They might struggle with the idea that their growth and self-care could upset their close circles. This could happen unintentionally.
Also, exploring the unknown is risky for one's safety and security. This uncertainty is fertile ground for fear, which can make decisions more complex. To combat these challenges of guilt, shame, and fear, I recommend two key steps. The first step is to adopt a "Putting yourself first" mindset, which follows the I-WE-ALL philosophy.Â
You can’t care for others until you care for yourself first.
The second step is the pursuit of knowledge. Knowledge is not just about learning. Applying what you have learned is important. This understanding can empower people to navigate their transitions more confidently. It's about changing education into action. This equips oneself with tools to face the unknown. It also helps to reduce fear. These steps create a healthier transition process. They encourage people to embrace change. They also help them minimize the emotional and psychological hurdles it brings.
Imposter Syndrome
When working with a Zone 2 client, their main emotional struggles are often from Imposter Syndrome. They feel less skilled compared to others who publicly share their art. They feel like they haven't earned their success. This can lead to self-doubt and fear that others will see them as a "fraud." Imposter syndrome comes in various forms. Here's a list to explore – you might find one that sounds familiar:
Perfectionists set very high goals. When they fail to meet a goal, they doubt themselves and worry about measuring up. They may not realize it, but this type of imposter fears mistakes and failing. They see a mistake as proof they're not good enough.
The Superwoman/man feels compelled to work harder than others. They do this to prove they're not impostors. They push themselves to the point of burnout to measure up. But, their hard work is an attempt to cover up insecurities. The superhero may also struggle to delegate tasks. They feel they need to do everything to ensure it's done right.
The natural genius judges their worth by how quickly they can tackle challenges. They feel shame when they struggle or need more effort to master something. They doubt their talents and see these situations as proof they're an imposter.
The Soloist believes they need to complete tasks by themselves. If they need to ask for help, they see it as a sign of weakness. They are independent partly because they want to prove their worth. This is 100% me by the way :) I am working on it.
The Experts believe they must understand every detail before beginning a project. They always look for new certifications or training to get better. They won’t apply for a job or share their art with the world unless they meet every single qualification. They fear exposing themselves as inexperienced or unknowledgeable.
If someone has all the types of imposter syndrome—the Perfectionist, the Superhuman, the Natural Genius, the Soloist, and the Expert—it shows a mix of insecurities. These insecurities affect many parts of their life. This full identification might lead to a feeling of inadequacy. This is despite clear evidence of competence and achievement.
The Shielded Archetype can become the Artist Archetype. It is rich with creativity, ideas, and aspirations. The next vital step is to work on beating Imposter Syndrome. This will let you fully embrace and express your artistic potential.
Perfectionists
Perfectionists need to embrace failure as part of the learning process. Perfectionists often fear making mistakes, worried that errors will lead to rejection. However, growth is impossible without stumbling occasionally. When you share your art, every misstep teaches valuable lessons. They show what works and what doesn't. They refine your understanding and improve your skills. This cycle of trial, error, and adjustment boosts your confidence. It also improves your art. Perfectionism stifles growth. It limits experiences and dampens creativity. It ultimately holds you back. It stops you from sharing your passion, creativity, and love with the world.
The Superhero
The Superwoman/man often comes from a history of having to grow up too fast. They lacked the chance to fully transition from childhood to adulthood. This rush to grow up might be due to taking on big responsibilities. For example, caring for younger siblings or facing family money problems early in life. As a result, they overwork. They do this because they can't appreciate the importance of process and growth over time. This approach is often a way to cope with insecurities. The insecurities are rooted in their past experiences.
Superheroes must recognize the need to slow down and address their weaknesses. They must not mask themselves with endless work. It’s crucial for them to shift from a mindset of always doing to one of reflective growth. This might involve seeking guidance from mentors, books, or courses.
They can use it to work on their weaknesses directly. Though time-consuming, understanding and embracing the learning process is essential. By doing so, they can learn to work smarter, not harder. This allows them to achieve their goals better and sustainably.
The Natural Genius
The Natural Genius measures their value by their speed in overcoming challenges. They feel shame when they face difficulties or need extra effort to excel. To help with this, they must change how they think about learning. It's about understanding, not speed. They can start by setting small, reachable goals that focus on learning bit by bit, not rushing through it.
The Soloist
The Soloist resonates with the belief of "I can do it myself." This is due to past disappointments in others. The path forward involves building a supportive Dream Team. The journey starts with self-reflection. It brings clarity about one's own goals and core values. Knowing who you are and what you stand for is essential. Only then can you find and attract people who share your vision and respect your purpose.
The actionable step here is to take time to define your dream and core values. Once you understand these, you can better seek and connect with people who share your goals. This approach changes the focus from working alone to collaborating as a team. It helps to reduce feeling overwhelmed. It also helps to increase your capacity for achieving your goals with a like-minded team.
The Expert
The Expert often hesitates to act. They rely too much on research to defend against criticism. This behavior stems from a deep fear that others will judge or find them inadequate. To combat this, a simple step is to limit the time spent on research. This is before making a decision or starting a new project.
Set a deadline for when the research will end. Commit to taking action then, even if you don't feel fully prepared. This practice encourages moving from perpetual preparation to active participation. It builds confidence in your ability to add value despite not knowing every detail.
Homework
Identify the type of Imposter Syndrome you're experiencing. Reflect on when it began and how it's currently impacting your art. Gaining clarity on these aspects will enhance our understanding and ability to heal.