20 Comments
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Sudi Pigott's avatar

We definitely have patina Gilly and who cares if those instagramers don't know it. Integrity too and both matter as creative people who are not just dancing to the highest bidder.

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gilly smith's avatar

Exactly.

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jackycooksherbooks's avatar

Here’s hoping I’m not too old to discover what I could be .... 🤣😂

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gilly smith's avatar

Here’s looking at Prue, kid!

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Jenny Hammerton's avatar

Constantly throwing stones at windows over here!

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gilly smith's avatar

Yes but you don’t run away…

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Jenny Hammerton's avatar

🪟🙊

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Sarah Mooney Personal Chef's avatar

I have just read this. I missed it first time round. Who am I? Wow really resonated with me. Am going to read again. Your writing retreat back in 2023 reconnected me to parts of me I had neglected. And yes I cried -but that was good because it was a catalyst for personal change. I am going to reread again. Sarah x

For it

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gilly smith's avatar

So many people come to the retreat with that self doubt. You’re so not alone xx

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Sarah Mooney Personal Chef's avatar

Thanks Gilly. Letting go of fear and being brave. 🫶

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Sophia Real | Real Simple Food's avatar

What a wonderful post Gilly! And coaching can be so transformative - I recommend it to everyone, be it attending one of your wonderful retreats, career coaching at work or even becoming a coach yourself (fun fact I had massive imposter syndrome when I took on my first mentee through a mentoring scheme for lawyers - I felt like I couldn’t possibly have anything to teach anyone. And it turns out I did (we all do)).

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gilly smith's avatar

It is literally the gift that keeps giving xx

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The Accidental Peasant's avatar

Love this post, Gilly! A beautiful price of writing about something that’s not much covered. I like the idea of social media as an eco system and good advice about X and L-In... never got on with them anyway

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gilly smith's avatar

Thank you. I’m thinking that insta should offer an imposter emblem next to the celeb one for all those who can relate. Bet it would break the internet!

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Fran Villani's avatar

"Shiny, happy Instagram is like a toddler; tickle its chin and it giggles." Spot on. I'm becoming more and more frustrated with the platform. Trying to write something meaningful and getting the typical "looks unreal" comments underneath. The punishing algorithm is one hell of a joy killer too. I can see a migration over to here though, and think I may join it too.

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gilly smith's avatar

Treat it like an eco system, I think. Neither one or the other. I’ve given up on Twit and LinkedIn though xx

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Laura's avatar

Wow what a great topic.

I discovered the world of food tv, books etc. during my first visti in London almost 24yr ago I turn on the tv and the was: “the naked chef Jamie Oliver” I was thrilled that I discovered this wonderful world, so I started following everything that came from UK about food and books.

Thanks to IG I known u I remember that when u contacted me I felt I little bit an imposter because I’m not a writer even if I would love to be one day a writer, unluckily how u already know it wasn’t a good moment, maybe wasn’t the right time for the universe. But I felt that sensation for the fist time, at school I was also 100% that I was stupid it took me time to understand that I’m smart and I’m only a little bit dyslexic. About IG was way more better in the past respect now, before people was happy to share opinions/ideas/passions etc. now is completely different I found that on substack now a lot of writers and people with passions that can’t wait to share it.

I always thought u are a wonderful person and I was and I’m always impressed by all the things u are doing and u have done in the past.

So always surprised me seeing how many people could have the “imposter” syndrome.

Sometimes we are really too strict with ourselves.

Keep going with passion and u will never go wrong.

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gilly smith's avatar

Thanks Laura. Everyone has a touch of the imposter syndrome - even though you'll rarely see it on Insta! Keep on keeping on! And if you want a good read about TV chefs, check out my book https://www.amazon.co.uk/Taste-TV-Chef-Storytelling-Planet/dp/1789383056

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Laura's avatar

I ordered it now! Yeah because insta is like seeing an iceberg u know what u have in front of u but not what’s under. I saw a funny video time ago about it vs reality. But I have to say that I was lucky with ig maybe because I started using it yrs ago but I found really cool people like Leyla Kazim and now thanks u I’m discovering a lot of other wonderful people.

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gilly smith's avatar

Great stuff.

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