Dealing with Impostor Syndrome as a Freelancer

Dealing with Impostor Syndrome as a Freelancer

Today, I want to talk about something that I’ve struggled with throughout my career: impostor syndrome. It’s that feeling of self-doubt that creeps in and makes you question your skills, knowledge, and abilities. You might feel like you’re not good enough or like you’re just waiting for everyone to realize that you don’t know what you’re doing (even though you actually do). Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Many people experience impostor syndrome, and I think it can be especially rough on freelancers.

As a freelancer, you’re often working independently, and that can make it even harder to overcome impostor syndrome. When you’re not surrounded by coworkers or a team, it’s easy to feel like you’re on your own and that you don’t have anyone to turn to for validation or support. But, there are ways to handle it, and I’m going to share some of the things that have worked for me.

First, I keep a compliments folder.

Whenever I receive positive feedback from a client, colleague, or friend, I save it in a folder. It might be an email, a message, or even some quick notes I jot down after a meeting. Whenever I’m feeling down or doubting myself, I go back and read through those messages. It’s a great reminder that I am capable and that I have done good work in the past.

Look back on past works.

Another thing that has helped me is to look back at my past work and accomplishments. Sometimes, when you’re in the middle of a project or task, it’s hard to see how far you’ve come or how much you’ve achieved. Going back and looking at the results I’ve achieved or the work I’ve done can be a real confidence boost. It’s a reminder that I’ve done it before, and I can do it again.

Finally, I’ll take a peek at others who are doing similar work.

Now, I know what you might be thinking - isn’t that just going to make me feel worse? I’ve actually found that it can be quite the opposite. I often see people who have way less experience than me positioning themselves as experts in my field, and it helps me remember that if they can do it, so can I. Of course, I’m not saying to compare yourself to others or to put others down. That’s not helpful or productive. Instead, focus on what you bring to the table and the unique perspective and skills that you have.

So, those are some ways that I’ve dealt with impostor syndrome as a freelancer. I hope they’re helpful for you too. Remember, you’re not alone, and you’re capable of great things!