By Beth McPartlin, 91制片厂 Wellness Manager
What is imposter syndrome? According to Oxford Languages, imposter syndrome is defined as, 鈥淭he persistent inability to believe that one's success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one's own efforts or skills.鈥�
In other words, imposter syndrome is the internal belief of not feeling as competent, intelligent or skilled in the way that others perceive you to be. Right now, you might be feeling unsure of yourself and your abilities, especially if you're starting a new chapter in life such as attending college. You might be feeling like you don鈥檛 belong or your mind might be trying to tell you that you鈥檙e not good enough.
While these thoughts and imposter feelings can be common, it鈥檚 important to focus on your strengths and what you've accomplished thus far. Own your awesome! You belong here. If you find yourself having these feelings, you are not alone. Many people feel the same way, and it is okay.
However, here are some things you can do to start combating feelings of imposter syndrome:
1. Acknowledge Your Feelings
It鈥檚 important to identify how you鈥檙e feeling when those feelings of imposter syndrome arise. Acknowledging your feelings can often help you work towards creating a healthier mindset. Here are some things to ask yourself: What information do I have to support or deny these thoughts? What are my strengths? Am I striving for better or unrealistic perfection?
2. Build Connections
Friends and loved ones can often help you get out of your own head and help you recognize the many strengths you possess, which can often be difficult to personally recognize at times. Take a moment to connect with those that you love and trust to talk through some of these imposter syndrome feelings. Loved ones or even colleagues or acquaintances can often help you push back on some of the stories you might be making up in your head.
3. Challenge Your Doubts
As a human, you are bound to make mistakes. However, it鈥檚 important to keep in mind that even though you make a mistake or fail at something doesn鈥檛 mean you should define yourself as a failure. Moreover, failure can often be the impetus for something even better. In order to refine and make things better you have to be willing to take risks, which often means failing and making mistakes along the road. It鈥檚 important to challenge your doubts and the stories you make up in our own head so that you can begin to create and build a healthier relationship with your brain and body, which often means challenging your own doubts.
4. Avoid Comparing Yourself to Others
Comparing yourself to others is often the thief of joy. Humans are different in so many ways, which is what makes the world so amazing and cool. There is no perfect formula to life, and everyone is chartering their own path with different timelines. Instead, try focusing on the goals you want to accomplish as well as reflect on everything you have accomplished thus far in life. By centering your focus on your own progress, you can keep you moving forward and stay on track with your goals.
Beth McPartlin is the Wellness Manager at 91制片厂. 91制片厂 Wellness is committed to providing a campus culture and environment that strives to promote and enhance the overall wellness of its students, staff, faculty and surrounding community.