You Belong Here: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
In the performing arts, confidence is currency. We’re expected to walk into auditions, lessons, and concert halls with poise and certainty, even when we feel anything but. Beneath the brave face, many musicians carry a quiet fear: “What if I don’t actually belong here?”
Enter imposter syndrome. It’s not just self-doubt. It’s the belief that you’re a fraud, that your success is a fluke, and that sooner or later, someone will find you out. For flutists, who often train for decades in a culture that rewards perfection and thrives on comparison, these thoughts can become all too familiar. And while we may look composed on the outside, inside we’re wondering if everyone else has some secret we missed.
This kind of thinking isn’t just uncomfortable. It’s creatively paralyzing. Imposter syndrome pulls you out of your body and into your head. It erodes your ability to take risks, to stay present, and to connect with the music. It tells you to protect yourself, to play it safe. That is exactly the opposite of what artistry requires: presence, vulnerability, and truth.
So how do we move forward when that inner voice is loud? How do we keep showing up, onstage, in the practice room, and in our professional communities, when fear says we don’t belong? The first step is awareness.
Recognizing Imposter Syndrome
You walk into a rehearsal and suddenly feel small. You’re at an audition and hear someone warming up nearby, flawlessly nailing something you’ve struggled with. You scroll through Instagram and see polished performance videos, packed recital halls, and bios that seem more impressive than your own. And then a little voice creeps in:
“I don’t deserve to be here. I got lucky, that’s all.”
“Everyone else is so much further along.”
“If I mess up, everyone will see I don’t belong.”
“Who do I think I am?”
These thoughts are rooted in fear and comparison. And when they take hold, they don’t just shake your confidence. They shut down your creativity, risk-taking, and ability to fully engage with the moment. Imposter syndrome thrives in silence, convincing you that you’re the only one who feels this way. But you’re not.
The Reframe: Belonging Is an Inside Job
When I coach musicians and creatives, we often work to shift the belief that worthiness is tied to external markers: degrees, titles, followers, reviews. Those things can be affirming, but they’re not the source of your value.
You belong in the rooms you’re walking into. Not because of what you’ve done, but because of who you are. Your story. Your curiosity. Your lived experience. Your presence. There’s space for all of it. If that feels hard to believe, try flipping the perspective.
Imagine a student, peer, colleague, or friend you deeply admire. Would you want them to wait until they were “perfect” to show up? Would you ask them to prove their worth before allowing them to contribute? Of course not.
Belonging isn’t something you earn by being “impressive” enough. It’s something you claim by showing up fully and contributing meaningfully.
Tools to Shift the Narrative
If imposter thoughts come up, whether on a stage, in a lesson, or at a professional gathering (like the upcoming National Flute Association Convention), here are a few tools that can help you stay grounded in your own truth:
Name the Voice
When the inner critic gets loud, say to yourself, “Ah, there’s that imposter voice again.” Naming it creates distance. You are not your thoughts. You’re the observer, not the voice.
Anchor in Truth
Make a list of moments you’re proud of, not just achievements, but times you showed up, grew, connected, or contributed. Revisit it often. Let it remind you of who you are beyond the pressure to prove yourself.
Practice Curiosity Over Comparison
When you feel yourself shrinking next to someone else’s brilliance, ask: What about their playing inspires me? What could I learn from them? Let admiration expand you instead of diminish you.
Choose Presence Over Performance
You don’t always have to be the most impressive person in the room. You can be the most present. Listen deeply. Ask real questions. Engage with intention. Connection will carry you further than comparison ever will.
Imposter syndrome thrives on silence and shame. But when we name it, share it, and challenge it, we take back our power. So if that voice shows up, questioning your place, your talent, or your right to be seen, take a breath. Come back to your why. Come back to the music. Come back to yourself.
You are not a fraud. You are an artist. And you belong here.
Sarah Hollandsworth is an ICF certified executive coach, strategic consultant, and sales and marketing executive with over 15 years in the music products industry.
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