One thing about imposter syndrome is that the goalposts always keep moving. What once seemed like success when it happened to other people now feels not so impressive when it happens to you. So it’s important to celebrate those wins when they happen, because they do matter.
One way to put this in perspective is to imagine your younger self, back when you started this journey, whatever it may be. In my case, for this example, it’s being a professional book reviewer. This phrase makes me squirm because I don’t feel like a “professional,” but this is just an example of imposter syndrome, because that’s literally what NetGalley calls their reviewers. I’ve reviewed over 130 books since I started in 2017 with a feedback ratio of 92% (which is the ratio between how many books you’re approved for and how many books you review; they recommend a feedback ratio of at least 80%). I’m a “top reviewer,” which means 3+ of my reviews have been added to the title’s NetGalley details page by the publisher.
My intention is not to brag but to show how strong imposter syndrome is, because I still feel like I just read/review for fun and it’s a cute lil hobby or whatever, rather than something I’ve actually worked at quite diligently and is part of my career.
And it doesn’t get less exciting, being approved by a publisher to read one of their books before publication. But at the same time, it’s easy to forget JUST HOW COOL it is.
All of this brings me to the younger-self thing.
When I was a teenager, I was beyond obsessed with The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer. (Still am, for the record.) If I could look 17-year-old Claire in the eye and tell her that 10 years from now, she’ll get to read the new Marissa Meyer book before publication, my ears would be ringing for days from her jubilant screaming. She would tell me it’s the coolest thing EVER and then probably try to steal my Kindle.
It makes me think, maybe I’m doing something right, if it makes her that happy. It makes me think, she would be proud of me. And maybe that’s a form of being proud of myself.
And that helps drown out the imposter syndrome. If only for a moment.
What’s something you’ve accomplished that your younger self would think is the coolest thing ever? I’d love to know.
Now go away and let me get back to reading the new Marissa Meyer. 🙂