A Note from Julie, the Greenhouse Curator:

Early voting began in North Carolina this week, and my husband and I decided to take advantage of the chance to cast our ballots early. As we waited in line (for an hour and 45 minutes!), I noticed a chrysanthemum outside the polling place. It was so pretty that I pulled out my phone and crouched down beside it to take a photo. Only then did I notice that it was fake. 😕

For a moment, I felt a little tricked, but honestly, it was hard to be disappointed. It still looked beautiful, and it brightened the space just the same.

This experience got me thinking about imposter syndrome and how that feeling sneaks up on so many of us. Even when we have the skills and experience, we sometimes wonder, “What if people realize I’m just faking it?”

But here’s the thing: That chrysanthemum still did its job. It brought color to the space, even though it wasn’t real. And honestly, we’re not that different. Even on the days when we feel like imposters, we’re still showing up, getting the work done, and adding value to our clients. 

Confidence doesn’t always come first—it grows as we keep going. So if you’re feeling a little like that fake chrysanthemum today, remember: You don’t have to feel real to make a real impact.

Have you ever dealt with imposter syndrome? How did you handle it? I'd love to hear about your experience. Please reply to this email and let me know. 📨

As an avid reader, you probably already know about the Libby app. In case you don't, here's the scoop:

Libby is a free app that allows you to borrow e-books and audiobooks from your local library and then enjoy them on your digital device. All you need is a library card to get started.

I’ve used the Libby app for years to check out e-books and audiobooks, but I only recently discovered that they also offer magazines (currently featuring 5,470 titles). And there are no waitlists or checkout limits for magazines. Yay!

Here are a few of my favorite magazines:

I prefer to read digital magazines on my desktop, but the Libby app on my phone is also nice, especially for reading e-books. You can even send items to your Kindle and read them there.

I'd love to hear if you use Libby! 📖

Here are three posts I enjoyed reading on LinkedIn this week (shared with permission):

A "throe" is a sharp, intense pain or struggle. For example, you might find yourself in the throes of trying to assemble IKEA furniture without the instructions. 😂

 

Stephanie Marrie

As soon as I saw these crochet bookmarks from Itty Bitty Handmade, I knew I had to share them in The Leaflet. With Christmas coming up soon, these would make a great present for the book lover in your life. 

I chose three plant-related bookmarks to share here, but the site is full of others you might enjoy. I also like the Teddy Bear Sunflower and the Liz Strawberry.

This week, I was pleasantly surprised to see my frost peperomia flowering! Of course, when I say “flowering,” I'm talking about the thin, upright spike called a spadix you might notice in this photo. It’s not the kind of bloom that steals the show, but it’s still exciting to see.🪴

Let's keep growing together!

What did you think of today's email, First name / friend? I'd love to hear your thoughts, questions, or feedback. Email julie@theproofreadergreenhouse.com

 

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