Imposter Syndrome

Reflections:

Despite outward markers of success, imposter syndrome leaves us feeling like a fraud. Waiting to be exposed.

It's an exhausting way to move through life.

Always hustling to prove our worth, but never feeling worthy. We overachieve thinking it will heal this feeling, but it never does.

Why? Because imposter syndrome doesn't stem from a lack of achievement - it stems from a lack of self-acceptance.

We look outward for validation, when we truly need to look within.

In times of doubt, tune into your inner dialogue. Is it sharply critical? And filled with impossibly high standards? Like "it needs to be perfect!". 

These ideas drive, feed and sustain imposter syndrome.

This inner turmoil (the confused self) sets us up to fail. We hustle harder, desperate to prove the feeling wrong.

But we can't heal imposter syndrome through external achievement alone. We must address the root... 

Making peace with who we ACTUALLY are. And giving up the ideas of who we THINK we should be.

This takes time and consistent practise.

When imposter syndrome rears its head, rather than driving yourself to do more, try this:

Pause. Breathe. Feel where this feeling lives in your body. Send it warmth and compassion.

And hold this in your awareness... This defense system protected you in the past, when you unable to find better ways to deal with life. But you no longer need it. Because you are an adult, stronger, and more capable of embracing reality.

True and lasting confidence comes from within, by learning to sit with discomfort and embrace all that you are...

A person, who at times is afraid, and can often be confused and unsure. This is called being HUMAN.

Now get on with whatever it is you set out to do.

You are worthy, not because of what you achieve, but because you are. 

Go well.