that good ol imposter syndrome has been hittin lately
Hello friends. I haven't been on this webstie in a long time, but I feel like I've been juggling a hundred different thoughts in my head over the past week so I figured I'd come back to 7cups and make a quick little post. I'll start with some good news: last time I was on this website I was stressing over applications and my goal of getting into grad school, but I did it!! I'm currently a first year Clinical Mental Health Counseling student and I love it a lot.
However, the imposter syndome that I struggled with a lot during my undergraduate degree has made a strong return. Even though I know it's not true, I always feel like everyone else is so put together and knows exactly what they're doing in life while I'm just cluelessly scraping by. I do well in my classes and know I should give myself some credit, especially given the state of the world right now, but I keep getting this pestering thought that I'm not good enough or I'm not cut out to be a therapist. I know it isn't true. I know I am smart and have such a passion for the mental health field. But these anxious and discouraging thoughts sometimes feel like a cloud and prevent me from really getting into my studies like I would like to. I have lots of work to get done this month, and I want to be excited about learning and experiencing new things rather than getting hung up on being overwhelmed. I'm sure a lot of you can relate to dwelling on thoughts that make you feel like everyone else is better than you, so we might as well support each other. What are some things y'all do when you just can't seem to shake irrational feelings of inadequacy?
@carpyboo
Congratulations!!!
Regarding your question, here's what I do.
I think back on my accomplishments over the years and recently.
I think back on how I was better than normal in certain ways.
I think back on how I overcame challenges.
I forgive myself for mistakes made and realize it helped me learn and grow.
I use kind-sight (the ability to look back and forward on your life kindly).
I focus on when I put in a lot of effort and that is what I value most.
I avoid comparing myself to others because I know I am very different and have special abilities that others don't have.
I learn from what I see others doing if they seem better in some ways. If needed, I search the web to get insights how they do it.
I search the web for insights on self-compassion when needed.
Please forgive any typos above.
@7motivation This is a very helpful response, thank you! I will definitely be coming back to this in the future.
@carpyboo
Oh boy/ girl, you found right person to ask :). Im also fighting imposter syndrome preatty often. What helps me to battle witch dark thoughts is dscribing them as a person that is sitting on my right arm, that is whispering to me and then i decide weather i want to belive that creature :). It really helps me, im on my way to get into architecture school, so i know the drill and anxiety about wether im good enough for it. I think you should really try to understand youself, and just be kind towards youself. I hope this finds you well and wish you all the best
@carpyboo
I was moved to a more complicated project and I am wondering when they will figure out that I suck and fire me. I am pretty worried about it. This tends to become an obsession at most jobs, but trying to hold on to my mind this time!
