Imposter Syndrome

This article is written by Sky Corbett-Methot, a Holistic Nutritionist and 500-hour Hatha yoga and meditation instructor.

Picture by Gabriel (@natural)

The Imposter Syndrome, have you heard of it? Felt sucummbed to it or rather consumed by it? Although, this syndrome is not a legitimate disorder listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) used by psychologists and psychiatrists as a tool to diagnose. It is a very real and challenging syndrome to overcome. In turn, YTC felt for this #wellnesswednesday the need to spotlight this phenomenon within our minds.

This syndrome is a sneaky little toxic vortex that seeps its way into the mind. This syndrome inhibits and places doubt in one’s ability to conquer and achieve.

So what is this "Imposter Syndrome?" It is where an individual is flooded with feelings of inadequacy even when their track record proves the opposite. This is a term for those individuals who have chronic self-doubt… Can you relate?

Especially, in the situations where one's past actions reveal competency and success. Yet they feel like a fake and fear being exposed as such. Those who suffer from this chronic self-doubt tend to ignore the evidence of their success as they do not believe they deserve to be where they currently are.

Raise your hand if you have ever experienced this? Both of my hands just went up...

What an unproductive use of energy and what an unfair unnecessary limitation that I am imposing on myself… Perhaps you agree with me here.

On a personal note, a common thread that has been the culprit is known as social media. The anxiety surrounding posting every-other-day content. Especially for the small business owners of the world such as myself. Social media acts as a lens into who you are and who you want the world to see you as. It can be a real lens or an illusion and ultimately the one posting has to make a decision on the message they are trying to send across.

The idea of me sharing my thoughts with the world scared me. All these scenarios played out in my mind. Such as: what if what I posted was misperceived, perceived badly, or worse not even acknowledged?

What if I failed. Then I spoke the mantra I speak to myself often which goes like 'Sky, I would much rather have a life of 'oh wells' than a life of 'what ifs.' This then equips me with the courage to leap and press a “way too powerful” button.

Although I still find that when I press "publish" or "post" that there is a moment of dread that begins to seep its way in. Its a work in progress as I have to combat my own Imposture Syndrome. As I type I am going to attempt to transform my schema of myself within my mind. I hope you reading this also feel you too can improve with these thought trains no matter how big or small your Imposter is.

So why call attention to this? Because we are limiting our own self-worth. Let’s make the collective effort to stop limiting ourselves when we think or converse. Your ideas may be bold but they are valid. Your dreams are YOUR dreams for a reason. You work hard and this is worth recognizing within yourself.

To tackle this, we must become aware of this Imposter Syndromes presence. Only then can we recognize and identify its negative voice. None of us have space for this anymore. This imposter, these thoughts, are not serving us, instead, they are holding us back. Let’s adjust this space (mindset) for something that will serve us — its time to kick the imposter out.