By GamerMomLuna
How do you fight the brain goblins that tell you you’re not good enough to make content? How do you convince yourself to keep going when it feels like you’re not doing anything worthwhile?
This is such a complicated thing that many people in the TTRPG space deal with. Imposter syndrome is not an actual mental health diagnosis, but it is defined by Psychology Today as when individuals “believe that they are undeserving of their achievements and the high esteem in which they are, in fact, generally held.” In simple terms, it’s doubting your abilities and feeling like a fraud. It affects people who find it difficult to accept their accomplishments.
A conversation happened on a July 2022 episode of Tales from the Tavern that addressed this exact question. B. Dave Walters was one of the guests, who talks about the fact that even big names in the TTRPG community struggle with it on occasion! It’s easy for writers, streamers, podcasters, and anyone who creates any kind of TTRPG content to get stuck in the negative feedback loop that is Imposter Syndrome.
Impostor syndrome isn’t just for content creators; it can also apply to GMs and players at the table too! GMs frequently worry that players don’t enjoy the game they’ve put together. Players worry that they may not be “good” at the game they’re playing. Just remember: as long as everyone is having fun, you’re doing a good job.
The best thing to do is to keep focus on the positive feedback received from external sources – friends, fellow players, readers/viewers, and so on. It’s also okay to take a few steps back. Burnout is a real thing, and forcing yourself onwards when you’re not sure you can continue can lead to lower quality products. Give yourself permission to not have to be perfect every time. It’s easier said than done and to some extent, we all compare ourselves to others, especially in content creation. Comparing yourself to others can leave you feeling frustrated and anxious, and doesn’t help. The trick: know that you are unique, and you bring your own value to the table. Focus on yourself and create content that you are proud of.
Another idea for defeating your Impostor Syndrome: Create a Win List. To help change your thoughts, remember what you have achieved this far. Keep track of all your wins, big or small. You can do this daily, weekly, or monthly and no matter how small the win might appear, it’s worth recognizing. In short, a win list keeps you focused on your goals and allows you to change your mindset by looking at the positives.
The bottom line is that success doesn’t require perfection. Offering yourself kindness and compassion instead of judgment and self-doubt can help maintain a realistic perspective and motivate you. Remember that if you are feeling like an imposter, you are attributing your success to luck. Turn that feeling into one of gratitude by looking at what you have accomplished and being grateful. Don’t be held back by your fears.
Keep in mind the hard work you’ve put into your craft. If you’re enjoying the work you do, that’s the most important part. You know how much effort you put into it. Take a look at the panel discussion about it if you’d like to see exactly what the guests all had to say about their experience with Impostor Syndrome, and how they move past it.
Have you been struck by brain goblins? Tell us below how you combat them!
I loved this article!
I suffer from imposter syndrome very often. As an artist, my brain goblins won’t stop reminding me of how good others are, while I’m not. Even when rationally I know that’s not necessarily true, I often feel like a fraud.
I’ll try creating my own “win list”, I really liked that idea. Hopefully it will work!