Conquering Imposter Syndrome and Writing in Public

Dear ,

When I was a young girl, I loved writing stories, songs, and poems. I wrote for fun about anything that caught my eye — tigers, or even the Monster of Loch Ness. But as the years passed, writing faded into the background.

After failing miserably as a business owner and closing down my company, I declared that I would finally write a book. And write I did! But publishing? Not quite. Imposter Syndrome has always been a challenge for me, and after my failure, I also lost my courage.

Then I discovered a method that helps ease Imposter Syndrome: Learning in Public.

“Learning in public is talking about a thing while you’re learning it and inviting others to learn it with you.” - Nicole van der Hoeven

This idea clicked with me instantly. For years, I’ve been making notes on Sustainable Cosmetic Development, but I’ve kept them to myself.

Now, I’m sharing what I’m learning—my insights, my sources, and my ideas. It feels vulnerable to open up my brain to the world, but it also feels important. By sharing, I hope to conquer Imposter Syndrome and become the writer I aspire to be.

So please, step into my brain. Explore my notebook and join me on this journey.

Warmly,
Priscilla

P.S. Do you know someone interested in sustainability or cosmetic development? Please share this email with them! Expanding my network will help me learn and grow even more.

Some notes I’ve worked on recently…

1. Biodiversity — On 12 November, I attended the autumn seminar of the NVCC (Nederlandse Vereniging voor Cosmetische Chemie – Dutch Society for Cosmetic Chemistry). I enjoyed an inspiring presentation by Maria Julia Oliva from the UEBT on Beauty and Biodiversity. It left me with lots of ideas and reports to explore.

2. Sustainable Certifications — I’ve started mapping out my notes on sustainable certifications. Like all my notes, it’s a work in progress, but I’m excited to keep building it.

3. 📑 The Courage to Change — This note is about a report I read right after deciding to stay in the cosmetics industry. It’s a must-read for every cosmetic professional!