We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Cristi López. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Cristi below.
Cristi, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I wouldn’t say that I’ve overcome imposter syndrome, but I am aware of it in ways I wasn’t before. When I was younger, I over-identified with my negative thoughts, rationalizing their presence as an indication of dark truths about me. I looked at whatever my current experience was through the lens of this negative self talk, and it poisoned most everything I did and felt and said. This included my accomplishments, which were confusingly tinged with the same painful self-doubt as my perceived failures.
No matter how much I did, it was never enough to assuage the onslaught of negative thoughts. So nothing I did was enough. So I wasn’t enough. Enter imposter syndrome. I told myself, “If I am sufficient, I will feel sufficient.” That’s the trap. Now I remind myself that how much I *do* has no bearing on how much I *am*. I am enough. No one has to do anything to be inherently worthy, and often the standards we have for ourselves we wouldn’t dream of putting on others. Thoughts are fleeting, but self worth is constant. Even when it feels like you’re lying, tell yourself that you are enough just are you are. That doesn’t mean you can’t improve skills or reach goals, but know that your worth has never been and never will be contingent on those things.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m an artist and mental health advocate living in St. Petersburg, Florida. I’m represented by A Very Serious Gallery in Chicago; they will be hosting my second solo painting exhibition opening May 2024.
My work chronicles my experience living with OCD. I aim to transcend the stereotypical media portrayals of this disorder and offer a nuanced and highly personal glimpse into the mind and heart of someone living with this chronic condition. My hope is that the work will spur curiosity, reflection, and conversations; I can then guide the viewer to existing resources that have the potential to change (and often save) their lives.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1. Curiosity Whatever your area of interest, ensure that you’re actually interested in it! This sounds obvious, but genuine curiosity about what you do is vital to longevity. It’s easy to want to be an artist/musician/luchador when your motivation is the potential reward of it all, but do you enjoy the steps it takes to reach those goals? How can you make your creative process part of your insatiable quest for knowledge?
2. Plan, but remain flexible
Everyone has their preferred ways of organizing time, and mine is to always keep a physical planner. Anecdote has excellent planners that provide short and long-term goal accountability. However, life happens, so try to build wiggle room into your plans so that you can adjust accordingly.
3. Perspective
It’s natural to have moments of hyper-productivity when you’re feeling great, and lulls in productivity when you’re feeling down. Try not to over-identify with either state of being; both are part of your greater journey. Winter comes before the spring, and we don’t judge nature when it needs to slow down. Try as best you can not to cast that judgement on yourself.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I am in constant search of mental health educators to collaborate with. One of the most powerful aspects of visual art is its immediate impact. Unlike a book or song or article which require a certain level of time investment by the viewer, a striking piece of artwork catches your attention immediately. I would love to use this aspect of visual art to guide people towards resources and knowledge on mental health.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cristilopezart.com/
- Instagram: cristi.lopez.s
- Other: Subscribe to my newsletter: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/610eec6b3b258ca214a5407b
Image Credits
Christina Roses (portrait of me sitting in the grass)
