{no one is lost}

[kaberett]

I keep noticing that I am underestimating my relative competence at coding. I think this is probably because I hang out with a lot of highly skilled programmers, so I am very aware of all the things I can't do and much too ready to dismiss the things I can. Yo, self, you teach this shit and you write 4am scripts to do the thing you want because nothing else will and you would actually be employable in this field. You're good at this.

Twice this week more senior PhD students have asked me about chemistry (in at least one instance resulting in me going "... this really doesn't smell like hexanol" alone in a lift). I know I was good at organic chemistry; this is... a useful reminder of my skill sets.

And I'm writing poetry that is, however much it surprises me that this is the case, the equal of a lot of stuff that's been professionally published. This, too, I can acknowledge and be proud of.

Comments

[silveradept]

It can be difficult to remember how good you really are at something when it isn't externally reinforced, and reinforced by people who you consider important. I think some of that lack of reinforcement helps develop Impostor Syndrome.

[syntaxofthings]

I think some of that lack of reinforcement helps develop Impostor Syndrome.

This is a really excellent point that I must consider for myself as well, thank you!

kaberett, I have similar situations where I am somewhat surprised that someone asks me about something expecting me to be knowledgeable on the subject - then, oddly, I am. It's good to take stock of those moments.