Imposter in a gingerbread house

A heartfelt Christmas story wow. Very powerful and congratulations for your Leaderboard placement this is amazing news you should be really proud. Well done girl.

Gurl ginger snaps all around for this piece! This was beautifully & eloquently written. No offense my friend but the Devil is a lie! You've got it going on in the talent department and he knows it! May God comfort you in His bosom! I'm noticing a lot of the most compassionate souls seem to be having a time of it right now. Praying that you get to feeling better very very very soon. Sending a huge hug of comfort your way babygurl! 💕🫶🏾🙏🏾

The whole picture of sitting there, melting, and feeling like an imposter is so powerful and easy to relate to, especially when you're thinking about creativity. Your note about needing to know nothing to write a short story is a fantastic point. Congrats on your Top Story!

Circling back to say congrats on third place at this week's leaderboard, Caitlin!!

Wooohooooo congratulations on your Leaderboard placement! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊

Caitlin!!! Congrats on your top story AND your leaderboard placement!! 🥳🥳🥳

A beautiful Christmas story, thankyou for sharing, well deserved Top Story xx

Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊

This is really very sweetly made. A warm breath that prepares us for Christmas. Wishing you joy, Caitlin. 🙂

awww, here is a hug...I am so sorry you're feeling this way. We are all touched so deeply by your sweet and generous interactions that it's hard to imagine you feeling less than...please know you are never alone, and that any one of us would be more than happy to listen. This story is a fantastic outlet and reflects how most of us feel. I hope this is just an occasional dip and that you are back to yourself soon. Congrats on this top story, so well deserved

Circling back to say congrats on Top Story Caitlin!!!

This piece shows that imposter syndrome doesn’t have the final word your voice is strong unique and worth sharing. Keep writing and trusting yourself.

If anyone can rise above these feelings, it is you, my friend. You can do it, deep breath and go forward. The trouble is that when you consistently write good stuff, the bar is very high. Be gentle on yourself! 💗💗

This is a lot to process... I hope you are okay!! Ps. I love that you're also promoting a friend's book! Thats very kind of you!!

You are precious, and such a good friend! I didn't know you would be the imposter. You fit in the Vocal community and you have been nothing short of kind, caring, and inspiring. Your fearlessness to write your mind is amazing and your comments always bring joy to me and I know they bring it to other Vocal creators as well. Sometimes we lose our sunshine and it's okay to sit in the dark for a little while, pay attention, you can learn so much from that space, we're here for you through it 🖤 Sending much love to you 🖤🫂

I'm so sorry you're feeling this way Caitlin. But please know that you're not alone. Imposter syndrome gets everyone. Don't ever believe anything that it tells you. You are one of the most brilliant writers I've seen on Vocal. Sending you lots of love and hugs ❤️

This is such a clever, haunting twist on the gingerbread-house metaphor.

Caitlin we all wonder and second guess ourselves. You should not, you are talented and I love reading everyone of your works (when I can, I know I have missed many lately).

What a dream this happens to be, and I think that we all feel or felt like this from time to time but just didn't understand or something. Good job.

Beautifully written my dearest Caitlin. The very first time I read anything by you I immediately realized that you were gifted. Not only gifted as a writer (and you are an exceptionally gifted writer) but gifted with the ability to feel love in a way that cuts deep, so deep that it hurts, confuses, and knocks you down. But when that love is keyed into your mind properly it is the most glorious experience of your life. Blessings to you, Caitlin!

I agree with Harper. You're in it to win it. Your work here and throughout your profile is deep, intelligent, and always thought-provoking. You are one of my favorite writers, Caitlin.

This is well-written even if it is sad, Caitlin. The ginger bread and roasted marshmallow metaphors work very well with your theme. Your writing continues to improve, your underlying comfort and confidence with it really shines through in this story even if your not fully aware of it. I have often wondered if everyone suffers from imposter syndrome. I have lived with it my whole life. But consider the advice I received both in the military and the business worlds: Fake it till you make it. That statement suggests that imposter syndrome is a universal condition. Such thoughts like ‘I’m no good,’ or ‘I’m not good enough,’ or ‘if only I was as smart, or good looking or popular as so in so, my life would be so much better. I’ve found that all I can do is try my best each day and remind myself that I have value and worth and that my life has meaning and truth. 😊

I like what you’ve done with hearse, plot, and then wagons. This is a triumphant piece, and your language itself says that you’re in it to win it. Never lose faith in yourself!

Beautifully done. We all struggle with these same feelings, and it's exactly why we are all here. Honing our craft. You are an amazing writer and a supportive reader. You've got it all, baby. (And I hate to bring it up, but you have to be an intelligent and self-aware person to even consider these things. Look up the dunning-Kruger effect if you don't believe me.)

I’m sorry to hear things are not going well for you Caitlin. Please let me know if I can help in any way.