Meet Brit Varrow

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Brit Varrow. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Brit, 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.

Wow. These were all such great prompts.

My brain wants to answer them all, and realized they very much inform one another. I think that in itself is pivotal to who I am, always instinctually connecting the data points, telling the story. I think we all do this in our own way. I hope my perspective reveals or brings something of value to you.

The prompt I ultimately chose to guide this conversation: “How did you Overcome Imposter Syndrome?”

Sorry, I’m going to disappoint you.

No one really ever fully overcomes ‘Imposter Syndrome,’ as I see it. It’s not black/white: “Badge achieved: ‘I HAVE NOW OVERCOME IMPOSTER SYNDROME!’ Hurrah! Praise Be. I am now a human of value, I have found my purpose.” No. #sarcasmbell… It’s like going to the gym, ‘working out’ how to keep the invasive thoughts in the foggy background, where they belong, so we may better serve our true purpose.

Which begs the question, what is my purpose? Who am I, actually? And how do I survive in this universe? These are questions we ALL ask ourselves, if only at a subconscious level. Therefore, do we not all suffer from the ‘Imposter Syndrome mosquito’ to some extent? Turn and ask the person next to you. Chances are they-have-been-there-henny.

Using myself as a case study… sure. I am a creative: a storyteller, a surrealist perhaps, a truth seeker… puzzle solver? My brain is constantly seeing all the timelines and it’s a love-hate relationship, thank you #ADHD. A superpower – I’ll save the conversation detour for another day.

Right… But ‘What do I do?’ ‘Who am I?’ Hmm…

These are questions we ask each other and I hear invasive thoughts silently pop back with “how much time ya got buddy?” “For money?” “The real T?” “#LOL, #IDFK!” …I generally ask qualifying questions or just ‘choose my own adventure,’ give’m a mysterious taste. Exploring untraining this initial panic though I will say, asking “What are you spending your energy on right now?” “What do you want to give space to/make space for?” … feels more accessible/interesting to me in the moment. And this moment… is a prime example of one fogged up by that pesky “Imposter Syndrome”… do you really care what I do?

This in part leads me to believe the following hard truths that have surprisingly given me freedom. I humbly present them to you, get ready to pocket your ego and be nakey with me:
Humans are by nature, selfish. – thank you Stanislavski.
Nothing really matters. – thank you Freddy.
The only constant in the universe is change. – Heraclitus
Energy is neither created nor destroyed. – physics… and a Karma reinforcer for sure.
^ We are all continuously, perhaps subconsciously, serving and consuming. And that is our purpose.
“Crazy” thought: All of the above are OK. If we gracefully accept and understand this we can utilize the subsequent information to evolve into better, more empathetic, honest and communicative humans.

People care until they don’t. People want what they want and spend their energy on what they want until they don’t want it. If you’re saying you want something else, go do that. Stop overthinking, because at the end of the day all we’re doing is trading our most valuable commodity: Energy. Big E. What we spend it ‘doing’…is that who we are? #realQ… Recently I’ve found myself missing prior versions of myself, what I used to “do,” wanting to “get back” … but this ego, asking “Who am I?” is a dead end to me, because we are HUMAN, constantly evolving into a more learned version of ourselves and becoming who we were meant to be. If you spend your energy to grow, you grow, if you spend it passively, you stay at rest, #bodyinmotionbaby.

My dream is to establish a home for creatives to meet, find resources, and work, with a dedicated black box venue space, open 24/7. Everything I’ve done so far has been in service of that goal in some way. I moved here almost a decade ago. The times I’ve felt life I’ve been serving my purpose: Storytelling, on stage/film… Producing Short Films and seeing them on the ‘circuit’… Supporting businesses (particularly female owned start-ups) in building out their socials/program growth… creating art that makes you feel something. Recently I’ve been working on finally completing the album/short film that is in my brain, which is a process.

… but is any of that nonsense WHO I AM? No. I think the imposter syndrome comes into play with how others view and act on your ‘authority’ in any given realm. I could go on a whole tangent on being a woman in the music/theatre/film industry…the double standards… the subtleness. It breeds doubt. That I actively shake. To me, all my experiences are connected and inform each other, though I know others may not see it. If you feel like you don’t have authority in the hat you’re wearing, do the work to fix that. I benefit from the ‘always a student and teacher’ perspective. Sometimes it bites me in the ass. #curiositykilledthecat

How did we get here? Right. Because, I did something, and experienced some-things, that gave me these perspectives. And I share this exercise with you if you care to explore yourself; I have full faith anyone would benefit.

I sat myself in a dark room, asked myself “When I’m 70, I want to wake up and __________.”

Personally, I want to wake up in the sun in my long term or getaway home, I’m flexible if I’ve got a spot in NYC, lol probably yes the one from #PracticalMagic. I give a lil snuggle with my life partner, grab a cup of joe and go to work at second home, a black box event space and creative incubator. A home that could fulfill any purpose, kinda like one of those magical tents or rooms of requirement from HP. The floor literally morphs: Jazz/Jam Café in the AM, Daytime Private Rentals with optional event production/entertainment add ons, Evening Concerts/shows in the PM, ‘afters’ Rave ‘til the sun comes up…community for those who are in need of one. Something we are all constantly searching for, and being the problem solver I am, I said… “I want to provide THAT” “What does it look like, how does it feel?” “How do I use my skills and resources to get us THERE. To THAT moment?” “

Ok now we pause & you go. You’re 70, you wake up and…

Back? Great. Speak it into the comments and let’s connect those dots.

…the imposter syndrome has no place in that journey.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am in the process of launching a not-for-profit organization dedicated to serving as a creative incubator and community cultivator. It is called The PlayGround. You can follow us on Instagram or support through Venmo @ThePlayground_NYC … and if you are a creative, please reach out to us to get involved! [email protected]

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

A brilliant woman, Dr. Joan Herrington, gifted me this nugget that plays through my brain frequently, “The worst they could say is ‘No.'” That mindset of fearlessness, combined with an enthusiastic encouragement to produce your own work and opportunity, has definitely led me down the path I did.

Communication. Knowing its way more than what you say.
Recently I’ve been refocusing on entering conversations with clear objectives and …

Empathy… although it takes energy. Spend it wisely.

My best advice is to take chances and meet new people! You will start to develop a sixth sense for your tribe, and they will naturally gravitate toward you. And above all, be kind.

What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?

I think it is important to know your strengths and weaknesses as well as how they play into your objective. I am always an advocate of becoming a well rounded individual in all aspects (thanks mom and dad). I think knowledge only gives us options, power. Application within our society however, is a different beast.

I’ve tried to take a weakness of mine, belonging to a lot of different circles but never really feeling at home in any, and make it a strength… connecting the people I know would complete each other’s puzzles. I’ve also grown as an artist by seeking the “well roundedness” of it all… how to most successfully tell the story.

In short I think its important we all make an effort to keep evolving, but also celebrate and take pride all our strengths.

PS – I would highly recommend “A NEW EARTH: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose” by Eckhart Tolle.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

@Darnelbennettheadshots, Alex Galvis

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Leadership Development
Empathy Unlocked: Understanding how to Develop Emotional Intelligence

“Empathy is the starting point for creating a community and taking action. It’s the impetus

Productivity
Where do you get your work ethic from?

We’ve all heard the phrase “work hard, play hard,” but where does our work ethic

Productivity
Boosting Productivity Through Self-Care

When you have a never-ending to-do list it can feel irresponsible to engage in self-care,