Illustrator & Storyteller

I’ve been introducing myself as a Storyteller & Illustrator for a few years now, but it is usually followed by self doubt with the voice in my head saying “Wait… Can I say that though?”

When I was in college, I was proud of everything I wrote and had no qualms calling myself a writer. As an intern at a lifestyle magazine or as a short form fiction writer, there were very few times I questioned whether I had earned the right.

It was as simple as - I write and so I am a writer.

The journey to calling myself an illustrator was not quite as simple. There are times when I still wonder whether I have earned it.

Maybe it was easier in college because I started writing in my teens and thought I could in fact stake my claim over the title.

But as someone who changed careers in their late 20s I’d fight constant irrational thoughts that made it hard to claim that label.

As a creative professional working primarily as a freelancer it got complicated— having to constantly introduce myself and tell my story proud, even on days I was questioning it myself.

Normally, I’d try to take a sip of water, tell myself I am “g” [ooo she’s so relevant] and move on with my tasks.

But as the rejections piled up they crept back in, in the middle of the night as my head was about to hit the pillow.

Maybe opening up about feeling like an imposter helped. Friends and family encouraging me does (mostly! sorry guys, still working on accepting compliments). And ofc, reading about veteran artists feeling the same way definitely did.

Something shifted recently though.

In social situations, when asked what I do, "I'm an illustrator" flowed out automatically—as if I'd never questioned it. And each time it did, I took a moment to be proud that I’d said it and immediately made a mental note to dive deep into later—

When do we give ourselves permission to claim certain professional labels?

Do you have an answer?