Creative Pep Talk #105: 16 and Faking It

Here’s a super-short story: something a friend said to me once that’s stuck with me, and why I think it might help you keep some needed perspective on yourself and your creative efforts.

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Transcript: 16 and Faking It

Please note: This is an unedited transcript, provided as a courtesy, and reflects the actual conversation as closely as possible. Please forgive any typographical or grammatical errors.

Nancy Norbeck [00:00:06]:
Welcome to Follow Your Curiosity. Ordinary people, extraordinary creativity. Here’s how to get unstuck. I’m your host, creativity coach, Nancy Norbeck. Let’s go. Hey, everybody. This is Nancy Norbeck with this week’s Creative Pep Talk. And this week, I just wanna tell you a short story. Back when I was somewhere around 25 or 30, I was sitting on the front porch at my parents’ house with my dear, dear friend, Andrew from high school.

Nancy Norbeck [00:00:35]:
And he said to me, you know, most of the time I feel like I’m just 16 and faking it. So it stuck with me because in that moment, as soon as I heard him say it, I thought, wow. Yes. Yes. That is exactly how I feel most of the time too, and I have never had words to put with it before. And as you can tell, I am not between 25 and 30 anymore. I mean, Andrew and I are both in our early fifties now, and I I have a feeling I can’t speak for Andrew, but I can speak for myself. This story has stayed with me because I still feel most of the time like I’m still 16 and faking it, and it’s entirely possible.

Nancy Norbeck [00:01:21]:
I wouldn’t be at all surprised if you, as you’re listening to this, find yourself thinking, yeah. Yeah. Me too. And I think that it’s not a bad idea to remember that that’s where most of us are most of the time. You know, when we find ourselves comparing ourselves to other people and saying, wow, you know, I wish I was that as accomplished as, you know, Joe down the street who does these fabulous paintings or embroideries or writes amazing novels or makes fabulous films, you know, whatever it is that Joe does. Joe probably feels like they’re just 16 and faking it too. You know? I don’t think any of us ever really feel like, wow. I have made it.

Nancy Norbeck [00:02:07]:
I am I am here. I I have learned all that there is to learn, And now I I am accomplished and I can stop because what is stopping in the first place? When when where is the end point? I don’t think anyone really knows. And second, you know, there are so many stories of people who have accomplished great things and reached that moment, and that feeling like I’ve made it never actually comes because they don’t feel any different than they did before. So, you know, we’re really all just 16 and faking it. So if you feel that way, you’re not alone. You’re actually really, really normal. Even if it looks like all the people around you are doing more or better things than you are, deep down inside, odds are really good that they feel like they’re just 16 and faking it too. So I thought it would be a good idea to let you know that if you’re feeling that way, you’re not alone.

Nancy Norbeck [00:03:13]:
If you feel like you’re just bumbling along and making mistakes, you’re not alone. So are those people too. That’s how we learn stuff. That’s how we get better. That’s what we tell our kids. Right? But it’s just as accurate for ourselves at any age. So I hope that you’ll take that idea with you and and run with it in the sense that it’s okay at any age to feel like you’re still just making it up as we go as you go along because that’s all any of us are really doing, and that’s okay. So take that and and bear it in mind as you bumble your way through life as we all do.

Nancy Norbeck [00:03:52]:
And I hope that it helps you. If it does, I would love to hear about it. And either way, I hope it’s helpful, and I’ll see you next time. If this episode resonated with you or if you’re feeling a little bit less less than confident in your creative process right now, join me at the spark on Substack as we form a community that supports and celebrates each other’s creative courage. It’s free, and it’s also where I’ll be adding programs for subscribers and listeners. The link is in your podcast app, so sign up today. Follow Your Curiosity is produced by me, Nancy Norbeck, with music by Joseph McDade. If you like Follow Your Curiosity, please subscribe, rate, and review on Apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

Nancy Norbeck [00:04:39]:
And don’t forget to tell your friends. It really helps me reach new listeners.