Imposter Syndrome, Musician’s Biggest Enemy

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When you see an artist performing on stage with all their skills and charisma, you might think that they are the most awesome people in the world. They are confident, they know what they’re doing, and they know how to hype up their audience. But what if I tell you that musicians are probably some of the most insecure people on earth? Most of us have one enemy in common. Imposter syndrome.

Imposter syndrome is the anxiety that you feel because you don’t believe that you deserve your success. Even though you have all the credentials and recognition, you feel like a fraud and you fear that one day someone will expose your lack of ability. Even Grammy Awards winners like Lady Gaga, David Bowie, and Billie Holiday, suffer from imposter syndrome. That’s probably because art is very subjective. One person can say that your music is amazing, while others may say that it’s trash. And artists tend to think the worst. Plus, critics and haters can be very unforgiving. If you aren’t careful, you might allow those online trolls into your head and make you believe you’re not good enough. 

Here are some symptoms of imposter syndrome, see if you have any of them. You are a perfectionist, and even a little imperfection can make you frustrated. You lack confidence and you search for other people’s validation. You overthink and over-prepared before a performance. And you are often scared that someone would point out the fact that you’re a phony. Sound familiar? Because I have every single one of them. All. The. Time. And if you do, well… welcome to the club!

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So how do you handle this gnawing feeling that haunts you daily? Well, I wish it’s as simple as ignoring it, but in reality, it’s not that easy. So let me share what I do. Number one, you have to know that you are not alone. So many people doubt themselves too. Remember what I said about Lady Gaga, David Bowie, and Billie Holiday? So, recognizing that imposter syndrome is common could help you cope with it. Number two, surround yourself with people that will lift you up and won’t tear you down. Even if you have a superpower ability to ignore all of those hateful comments, they might break you at one point. Having a good support system can help recenter you when you are spiraling. And lastly, if you need to talk it out, there is no shame in getting professional help. There’s a reason why many musicians advocate for mental health. They probably benefit from getting help during difficult times. And if that helps them, then it might help you too. 

Good luck overcoming your imposter syndrome. This is a battle that we all face together. And if you are still struggling with it, let me be your voice of reason. You are a rockstar, and you are enough. Keep doing what you’re doing, because you are awesome!

This article was published on Evolution website, November 14, 2023