From my GenXer perspective, the irony is that the more experience (of work, of life) you accumulate, the less you feel like you ‘arrive’ at knowing. Instead, you develop a sharper awareness of how much remains unresolved. But rather than undermining confidence, that awareness becomes a kind of grounding. You stop chasing certainty and start trusting your ability to navigate without it. And that’s what sets your thinking free.
Really enjoying your posts, Stella. I'm GenX, but I nodded along, as I read. The learning and the Impostor Syndrome (even as my confidence and ability to say "I have not a clue." has grown over the decades) morphs with every passing year. Thanks for all you're doing! Evie
Thanks for this, Stella, I enjoyed reading this.
From my GenXer perspective, the irony is that the more experience (of work, of life) you accumulate, the less you feel like you ‘arrive’ at knowing. Instead, you develop a sharper awareness of how much remains unresolved. But rather than undermining confidence, that awareness becomes a kind of grounding. You stop chasing certainty and start trusting your ability to navigate without it. And that’s what sets your thinking free.
Really enjoying your posts, Stella. I'm GenX, but I nodded along, as I read. The learning and the Impostor Syndrome (even as my confidence and ability to say "I have not a clue." has grown over the decades) morphs with every passing year. Thanks for all you're doing! Evie
So much truth here. I always answer this question the same way: "If you could give one piece of advice to your 20-something self, what would it be?"
My answer: No one is expecting you to be an expert.