Ep. 28: The Truth About Imposter Syndrome for Singers

Have you ever gotten the role, the opportunity, or the compliment you’ve been hoping for… only to start wondering if someone made a mistake?

Or walked into an audition thinking, “Who am I to be doing this?” 

We can have years of training, professional credits, successful performances, and plenty of evidence that we belong… and still hear that little voice saying, “Yeah, but…” 

In this episode, we’re looking at imposter syndrome as another kind of mind trap and learning how to separate fact from the stories our brains create.

In this episode, we talk about:

• What imposter syndrome actually is and what it isn’t
• The “Yeah, but…” machine and how we dismiss evidence that contradicts our doubts
• Why imposter syndrome can be so selective about the evidence it pays attention to
• How to separate facts from fiction 
• Why you don’t need to replace self-doubt with fake positivity
• What changes when you stop trying to prove that you belong
• Creating an “Evidence” file to remind yourself of your actual experiences, accomplishments, courage, and resilience
• Learning to hear doubt without automatically letting it influence your decisions

Create your “Evidence” file

Open the notes app on your phone and create a note called Evidence.

 Add things like:

• Roles and opportunities you’ve received
• Performances you’re proud of
• Kind things people have genuinely said
• Difficult things you’ve learned and gotten through
• Risks you’ve taken
• Times you recovered from mistakes
• Things you’ve accomplished that once scared you
• Moments when you sang even though you were terrified

 Don’t just include the glamorous stuff.

Your courage and resilience are evidence, too. 

QUESTIONS to sit with:

• What are the actual facts?
• What have I done that demonstrates capability?
• What am I still learning?
• What am I assuming?
• What am I afraid people will discover?
• Whose standard am I measuring myself against?
• What would I do if I didn’t need to prove that I belonged?

Resources mentioned in this episode

🌎 Website: https://www.erinstewart.net/

🎁 Joyful Singing Starter Kit
My free Starter Kit includes a workbook, a 2-minute guided centering exercise, and a 12-minute vocal warmup.
https://www.erinstewart.net/starterkit

✨ Step Into the Spotlight
My free live workshop about performance anxiety and the “shrinking reflex”—the automatic tendency to pull back when being fully seen feels vulnerable or scary. Check the page for the next workshop date and registration.
https://www.erinstewart.net/step-into-the-spotlight

📱 Come find me on Instagram:
@joyfulsingingwitherin
https://www.instagram.com/joyfulsingingwitherin

And if something in this episode hits home, send me a DM or even a voice memo. I genuinely want to hear from you!!