I’m Not Good Enough – Impostor Syndrome
Do you feel you haven’t earned your accomplishments?
Do you feel like a fraud?
Perhaps you don’t feel as though you belong with your peers.
If so, you may be experiencing impostor syndrome.
Let’s talk about it.
This unwarranted sense of insecurity (= необґрунтоване відчуття незахищеності) is known as impostor syndrome. Imposter syndrome is not considered a mental health condition but is a recognised phenomenon. Anyone may be affected, but it is frequently reported in high-achieving individuals.
You may suspect that impostor syndrome is tied to anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem, but this isn’t always the case.
Impostor syndrome was first reported by the psychologists Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes. They identified an unwarranted sense of insecurity amongst students and colleagues at the university in which they worked. This sense of impostorism was common. Individuals attributed accomplishments to good fortune or luck, failing to recognise their abilities. This is usually compounded by a worry that others will be able to unmask them as a fraud.
So, where do these feelings come from?
They are thought to be linked to societal pressure to achieve success. In some cases, parents of those affected placed heavy emphasis on achievements, sometimes overpraising success or being too critical of failure.
Additionally, those with impostor syndrome often place other peers in high esteem. This is because, as individuals, we only know the challenges we experience to achieve our degrees or attain the job we deserve. The difficulty is that we cannot fully understand the challenges of others. We see our peers’ achievements in isolation.
How can you get over impostor syndrome?
Recognise your accomplishments. You have worked hard to achieve your goals, just like everybody else.
Stop comparing yourself to your peers. We can only understand our own struggles and not those of our peers. It’s likely that your peers’ experiences are similar, if not worse, than your own. Your peers may also experience impostor syndrome, meaning they are unlikely to open up for fear of being found out.
Seek support from someone close. Friends and family have watched how hard work has led to your achievements. Sometimes, external reassurance is helpful. Don’t forget it’s possible they too have experienced impostor syndrome.
So, if you are suffering from impostor syndrome, remember you’re not alone.
