Imposter Syndrome: You Are the Real Deal By Meredith Nowak
What is Imposter Syndrome?
First, I want to clarify that Imposter Syndrome is not a mental health diagnosis (although the name can lead some people to assume that). Imposter Syndrome is a psychological experience of feeling some sort of fraudulence. For example, feeling fraudulent after graduating college and starting a new job. Or, feeling like you do not belong somewhere, or are undeserving of your achievements, when you are in fact there for a reason and have worked hard to do so. Imposter syndrome can happen in a variety of environments. Such as at school (no matter the level of education), and work (whether you have had the same job for 20+ years, or you are just beginning your career).
What can Imposter Syndrome look like or feel like for someone? When can it happen?
Imposter Syndrome can affect anyone, and it can also look and feel different for each person. Some common characteristics of Imposter Syndrome include, feeling like you do not belong, feeling like a “fraud,” a lack of trust in your own abilities, and a lack of acknowledging your own achievements, experience, and ability. It can also feel like self-doubt or second-guessing yourself. Imposter syndrome can create low confidence in an individual, reinforce negative self-talk, and increase low self-esteem. Imposter Syndrome can affect anyone at any age and at any point in life!
How to Navigate Imposter Syndrome:
The truth is, Imposter Syndrome may be something that is always there- even a little bit. With this, Imposter Syndrome is something that can be managed and navigated with the right tools. You can work through feelings of Imposter Syndrome by acknowledging your experience, hard work, and accomplishments that got you to where you are today. Remember to celebrate yourself and your personal or professional achievements. Be your own personal cheerleader rooting yourself on. You are successful today and deserving because of the hard work and dedication you have shown. Positive self-talk is also a key tool in navigating feelings of Imposter Syndrome. Validating past accomplishments and achievements will help yourself validate your experiences in a positive way. Another way to navigate Imposter Syndrome is to talk about it in a safe and open space with others who can relate. When talking to others whether it is at work, home, or in your social life about Imposter Syndrome, it shows us that we are not alone, and other people feel the same and are in similar situations. This can also help validate our feelings and help us recognize we are not alone.