Blogchatter Half Marathon - Navigating Imposter Syndrome: Overcoming Self-Doubt

What am I doing in life? Where do I stand? How do I challenge myself? Who is in my personality? When will I achieve something big?

Do you get these questions? 

If not now, maybe you have in the past, or you will have in the future. So, this blog is for you to know the ins and outs of this behavior.

Yes, it is about Imposter Syndrome and how to navigate it.

According to NIH (National Institute of Health), it is a behavioral health phenomenon described as self-doubt of intellect, skills, or accomplishments among high-achieving individuals.

In simple words, imposter syndrome occurs when you doubt being an achiever. You crave more and become anxious, wondering that you do not have enough of what you should own. 

It can lead to low self-esteem, anxiety, and lack of confidence. Sometimes, you do not believe in your accomplishments. There is always a fear of getting unveiled that your achievements are not yours.

Several examples signify that a person has imposter syndrome, like an employee who does not think he deserves a raise or promotion even after years of service or a student who stays on top for years, not believing his wits and taking it on his luck.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Imposter Syndrome

There are various signs and symptoms of suffering from imposter syndrome, including perfectionism, self-doubt, comparison, overworking, fear of failure, sensitivity to criticism, overachievement, fear of exposure, and many more.

If you find any of the symptoms in your behavior, you should target to find a solution instead of getting afraid. Detecting and understanding imposter syndrome can help you heal at an early stage. It is common to be a victim of it. You take it as a mere behavioral change and work on it. Otherwise, it will impact your health drastically, leading to low self-esteem, generating negative thoughts, and so on. 

How to Deal With Imposter Syndrome (Self Doubt)?

It is necessary to navigate Imposter Syndrome in time. There are various ways to mitigate self-doubt. Some of them are below:

1. Recognize Your Feelings:

I do not know a single person who readily accepts negative tags about him. All the problems start from there. So, the first step to mitigate this demon is believing in having Imposter Syndrome. Once you acknowledge your self-doubt, you will seek ways to manage it. You win half of the battle here.

2. See Your Talk:

You will call me crazy to read it. How can someone see talk? It means being mindful of what you speak. Often, you engage in negative thoughts and conversations with yourself. At that moment, look for validations and explanations in response to what you think. It will help in nullifying most of the pessimistic thoughts about yourself.

3. Share with Someone:

It is okay to share your feelings with someone, be it a friend, family, a mentor, or a stranger. Sometimes, acknowledgment from other people does wonders for you. In this world of reel life, self-doubt is due to social anxiety that comes from comparison with others.

4. Record Your Achievements

 Always remember to keep track of your achievements. It does not matter how old it is. The noteworthy aspect is the accomplishment that is yours. There are many ways to record them that can help as a reminder in the future when you feel low in your life. You can use a journal to write, paint a victory, create videos, click pictures, and save them in a safe place.

5. Seek Professional Help:

If you find it challenging to cope with Imposter Syndrome on your own, you always have a choice to take professional help as therapy or counseling. Do not feel shame about going to a therapist, as it is acceptable to talk to a third person who is an expert in healing such behavioral changes.

Wrapping Up

Imposter Syndrome is not a disease but a behavioral change or a different thought process that can affect you emotionally and mentally. It can happen to anyone without discriminating between different genders or varying age groups. 

You must take care of your well-being by accepting any behavioral changes in yourself and taking steps towards mending it. You can seek more ways to heal from it, like practicing self-compassion instead of self-pity, accepting your accomplishments, setting practical goals, and celebrating your successes.

"Self-doubt should not lead to your roots. Cut it off before it spreads to your core."

This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon 2023