Imposter syndrome is when you feel deep inside like you’re not good enough, even when the facts and what others think show otherwise. The main thing about imposter syndrome is a constant worry that people will discover you’re not as capable as they think. It’s normal to sometimes feel like you don’t belong or question your abilities. But if you often feel this way, you might be dealing with imposter syndrome. Signs include always doubting yourself, even in areas where you usually do well. Imposter syndrome can make you feel nervous, thinking that you’ll be exposed, and it can also lead to negative thoughts about yourself. Anxiety and depression symptoms often go along with imposter syndrome. More: 6 ways how to stop procrastinating
Do you know the power of your words? When you tell yourself stories that are not true your unconscious mind believes them. Your beliefs also can make you sick. You curse yourself by repeating lies.
Trish Taylor
Imposter syndrome isn’t considered a mental illness you can diagnose. Instead, it’s a term often used when someone feels like they don’t deserve their achievements, especially in areas like intelligence and success. It’s also connected to wanting things to be perfect and how you see yourself in social situations. Psychologists Suzanna Imes and Pauline Rose Clance came up with this term in the 1970s. More: The power of progress: Commit to daily self-improvement
The tricky part is that many people with imposter syndrome are very accomplished and impressive. On the outside, it seems like there’s no reason for them to feel like they’re faking it, but they still do. This makes it a tough psychological issue that we need to understand better.
Imposter syndrome doesn’t just affect your feelings or sense of worth. It can also change how you tackle projects, relationships, or anything else that makes you feel unsure. This creates a cycle where your beliefs about yourself become true, making imposter syndrome something important to deal with when it shows up. More: Assertiveness definition: How to communicate with confidence?
Determine if you have imposter syndrome
Determining if you’re grappling with imposter syndrome involves reflecting on certain aspects of your mindset and behavior. Initially, imposter syndrome was associated mostly with high-achieving women. Now it is recognized as a phenomenon that can affect anyone, irrespective of their social status, profession, skill level, or expertise. Although imposter syndrome isn’t formally classified as a mental health disorder, it’s quite common. An estimated 70% of people experience it at some point in their lives. Imposter syndrome can show up in different ways.
You might find it hard to see how good you are at things or think your success is only because of outside stuff, not your skills. You might be tough on yourself about how well you do, worry that you won’t meet what others expect from you, or try to do way more than needed to prove yourself. Sometimes, you might even do things that could mess up your success. Doubting yourself, setting super hard goals, and feeling disappointed when you can’t reach them are also signs of imposter syndrome. All these things can make it tough to feel good about what you’ve achieved.
If these questions resonate with you, seeking guidance from a therapist could be beneficial. The negative thought patterns and self-sabotage can have far-reaching effects on various aspects of your life. More: Emotions as teachers: What can we learn from them?
How to cope with it
To overcome these feelings, you need to get comfortable challenging some deep-down thoughts you have about yourself.
- Talk about it: Share how you feel with others. When you keep feelings hidden, they can grow into bigger problems.
- Help others: Even if it seems strange, try helping people in similar situations. By practicing your skills and supporting others, you’ll boost your confidence.
- Check your abilities: If you’ve always thought you’re not good in social situations, take a realistic look at what you’re good at. Write down your achievements and compare them with how you see yourself. More: North node Libra, what you want and what you should avoid
- Take small steps: Instead of aiming for perfection, do things reasonably well and reward yourself for taking action. For instance, in a group chat, share your thoughts or a personal story.
- Question your thoughts: As you assess your abilities and take small steps, ask yourself if your thoughts make sense. Is it reasonable to believe you’re a fraud, considering everything you know?
- Avoid comparisons: Every time you compare yourself to others, you might find faults that make you feel not good enough. Instead, focus on listening in conversations and being genuinely interested in others. This is not easy, but no one can change this for you. You have to know your worth is not comparable.
- Use social media wisely: Spending too much time on social media can make you feel inferior. Be real on social media, and don’t try to show a perfect image that doesn’t match who you truly are.
- Accept your feelings: Instead of fighting the feeling of not belonging, try to accept it. Acknowledging these feelings is the first step to understanding and overcoming the beliefs that are holding you back.
- Keep going: Even if you feel like an imposter, don’t let it stop you from chasing your goals. Keep pushing forward and don’t allow these feelings to hold you back. More: Healing through the Theta Healing technique
