Cyber Security and Mental Health

Hey there everyone!!

I'm making this post to recognize something that happens in a now very growing community. I'm hoping one day to make a community specifically for it, but I wanted to bring awareness to the Imposter Syndrome feelings that come withing the cybersecurity and programming communities and the people that belong to these communities.

I know how it feels as I too experience it quite often, and lately, I've noticed there's been an incline in people who really struggle with these feelings. I just want to say that you are SEEN and you can let your voice be HEARD. Your feelings are just as valid, and although it seems really difficult, I promise that you belong here and that you are a valuable asset to the world.

I want to use this thread as an opportunity for people who struggle with feeling like they don't belong because they aren't good enough because there are people who are better. We see all the time through social media that there are all these successes but no one talks about the failures we see to achieve those successes. It's very difficult to cope with some days, as even I myself last night didn't consider myself to be worthy to call myself knowledgeable in this field because I felt like I wasn't enough, but my support circle whom also work in that field gave me a new perspective about how they feel the same, and that everyone moves at a different pace, and that sometimes we just need a gentle reminder that we do belong and our hard work is appreciated.

Having that listening ear was such a relief last night that and I want to provide a very special spot for all of those who struggle with these feelings in cybersecurity, programming, web dev and any other technology-related field.

You matter too, and you help make this modern world go around. We appreciate what you do, and we are thankful to have you in our community. If you feel like you are struggling with these feelings, please feel free to reach out to me, or to other listeners to discuss this. You can also comment on your thoughts, feelings, struggles and stories here.

We appreciate all of you hard workers out there :)