Do you often experience a feeling of alienation, like you don't belong or aren't qualified to do something (even when, logically, you know you are)?
Congratulations! You may be experiencing impostor syndrome!
There's been more and more discussion of impostor syndrome in conversation lately, and that's great! More open conversation about mental health is always a good thing. So let's talk about what we can do to overcome the overwhelm of impostor syndrome!
Hype Yourself Up
One way to overcome impostor syndrome is to seriously hype yourself up. Be your own best cheerleader!
Spend a little time each day on affirmations, and when you have those feelings of self-doubt tell yourself how awesome you are. Even if you don't believe it at the moment, when you make a routine of loving yourself, eventually it will start being second nature.
Remind Yourself Of Your Accomplishments
An excellent way to help your mind manage the effects of impostor syndrome in professional scenarios is to make a list of your accomplishments and all the reasons why you are the right person for the job.
Think of it as a resume of sorts, that you're submitting to the negative voice in your head. Write it all down, so that you have something tangible. This is the concrete proof that your little voice is wrong, even if it's hard to feel it sometimes.
Communicate Your Needs
There's a running theme in managing mental health, and that's communication! Communication is critical for mental illness, because it does all happen in your head, so other people can't see it or feel it unless you tell them what you're experiencing.
When it comes to getting help with impostor syndrome or even heading it off as best you can, communicate your needs with your friends, family, co-workers, and employers. If you are constantly second-guessing whether you're good enough, by telling these people that you need affirmations and an open line of communication, you can take the guesswork out of where you stand and take the wind out of the worst part of impostor syndrome: not knowing what others are thinking.
Know That You Are Not Alone
With the ongoing mainstream coverage of impostor syndrome, it's easy to see just how prevalent this struggle is. Knowing that you aren't alone in the uncertainty can be extremely comforting.
At Punk Rock Saves Lives, we've worked hard to create a welcoming peer community where you can feel safe to discuss your experiences and struggles with your mental health. If you need to vent, or need some outside affirmation, please don't be afraid to come find us! We're all in this together.