Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jenny Calabro. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Jenny, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
This is such a great question! To be honest, I feel like I never truly have “overcome” imposter syndrome, haha! But you know what? That’s totally ok, because I believe that imposter syndrome is normal for everyone and it is not something we should feel ashamed of or feel pressured to overcome. I thought that I had left imposter syndrome in the dust when I switched from working in the animation industry, a high paced and high demand artistic industry, to running my small witchy business where I offer readings and witchy consultations. Apparently, without realizing it, I held a belief that only artists had imposter syndrome but even as a full time witch I have encountered it yet again. Despite my major shift in careers, imposter syndrome simply dawned a new cloak and followed me from one creative career to the next. The most common pressure that imposter syndrome puts on us is the feeling of never being “enough”. There is this gut feeling of needing to do more or be more, which all stems from this deep-seated feeling of never being enough in some way shape or form. And this was so true for me, whether I was doing art full time or giving readings as a full time witch. But the question you have to ask yourself is ‘When is it enough? When will I be enough?’ Every time we level up or reach a goal we raise the bar again, we compare ourselves again and imposter syndrome steps back in. But how will we ever reach our goals if we keep convincing ourselves that what we do, who we are and what we make is not “enough”?
All of this is to say that imposter syndrome, like life, is cyclical and it is absolutely a normal part of the process. It is so important that anyone growing their skills (in any way shape or form) knows that even professionals still feel imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is normal no matter how experienced you are, so don’t be too hard on yourself if you are experiencing this! Take me for example, I worked in animation for over 6 years having worked with major well known studios and I have been a professional witch for over 8 years having worked at major Hollywood events. These are all skills that I have been honing my entire life, yet imposter syndrome still comes up making me question things. So it’s ok if it comes up again, but it’s important not to let it trick you into believing that it’s correct and that you are not enough. Just greet it like a skeleton that likes to rattle it’s bones at you from the closet of uncertainty, it’s all rattle and no bite. Once you become familiar with that old rattling off sound of imposter syndrome it’s easier to identify it and respond with “Hey there you ol’ bag of bones! I see that you’re trying to invite me into thinking that I am somehow not enough. No thank you, I am going to keep doing me!”
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My small business, Fantasma Witch, offers a variety of heart centered trauma informed services including classes as well as one on one consultations. Some of my services include pet communication, palm reading, tarot reading and mediumship just to name a few! With my professional experience as a visual storyteller, artist, and accredited college professor (along with my life long practice as a magical intuitive) I provide my clients with a rich resource of intuitively led, heart centered, trauma informed, guidance that is deeply steeped in both art and magic. It is my goal that when people engage with my services or any of my online posts that they become inspired, motivated & determined all while feeling heard within a safe nurturing space. When it comes to my tarot or palm reading offerings, unlike what most folks believe, I am not a “fortune teller” and I do not predict the future. The truth is that our internal and external world experiences are shaping us and fate is in our own hands. Instead, I use my intuition to connect with the energy of my client as well as the universal life force energy (call it spirit, divine, universe etc) to provide heart centered guidance. This is something that I do either using my intuition alone or with the assistance of tools, such as tarot. How I like to describe it to folks is that I am an interpreter. I simply provide the guidance that the universe/ spirit (or whatever you want to call it) has for you in the moment. Similar to asking a loved one, who knows you really well, for advice; they will tell you what you need to hear and while it may not be what you want to hear it is advice that will help you in the long run.
Meanwhile, my one on one consultations are similar to shining a light for folks who are traveling on a dark path, it can be really motivating and inspiring giving folks the insights needed for them to continue forward. With this kind of work, my sitters are free to talk about anything they feel called to discuss for deeper personal insights and guidance. These consultation conversations can cover a wide range, for example I have had consultations about: spirits in the home and how to deal with them, how to preform a spell specific to the needs of my client and their goals, discussing someones personal intuitive abilities and how to hone them as well as much more. It’s akin to being a mentor outside a class room for a quick one on one lesson. Rather than a class setting where there is a set generalized topic this allows for personal growth & learning.
Above all, being able to provide these services by holding space for folks in a heart centered trauma informed way is something I am honored to be able to do. As someone who struggles with diagnosed anxiety & PTSD, it’s important that I hold space for my clients providing the guidance they need without activating or disregulating their nervous system so that they can get the most from their session & receive whatever comes through for them. Through all my personal studies as well as my experience learning how to heal from trained professionals, I am able to implement my own growth & learning into my work for the benefit of others (all done ethically within my scope of practice).
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back I feel like being a forever student has really helped me to grow in all aspects of my creative and business endeavors. There is a belief in our western society that once you have a degree, or you are a working professional or you have your own business that you should know it all. But in reality, this way of thinking can hinder us from growing & developing more. No matter how much experience you have there are always new things to learn from different people with unique perspectives all with diverse voices. The moment you think you know everything is the moment you put a road block on your own path. I still read books or take classes on topics that I have been studying or practicing my whole life and walk away saying “I had not thought of it that way!” Even if you are a teacher, your students will always have something to teach you whether they ask a question that makes you think differently or they push the boundaries of your own understanding. Similar to what we spoke of with imposter syndrome earlier, rather than letting yourself fall into the trap of not being enough because you need to be an expert, instead allow yourself to have fun exploring the space. There should never be any shame in continuing your education and growth. It’s a wondrous, humbling, thing to be able to say “I am always learning and isn’t that amazing?” Being humble keeps you grounded, it keeps you curious and it keeps you open to possibility. So whether you are currently a student, a graduate, a working professional or a college professor, always keep that fun child-like curiosity alive. Always tap back into your initial ambitions, dreams and the spark that guided you onto this path in the first place. Doing so will keep that inner passion flame alive all while driving your curiosity to learn more.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
At the moment I am looking to connect with publishers who would be interested in witchcraft books. Book topics such as learning your intuitive vocabulary, protection magic & empathetic abilities. As well as any publishers who would be interested in publishing an oracle deck. It’s been a goal of mine to create the writing and art for my own books & divination decks. I am also available to be a consultant on any projects that might need a witch’s eye who also understands storytelling, the entertainment industry and art. Or if you are just someone who has a podcast about witchy & spooky things, I’d love to connect!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fantasmawitch.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fantasmawitch/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@fantasmawitch
Image Credits
Kelly Larkin
