Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome is when a person feels that they are not competent enough to be where they are at in life, whether that be a job, social setting or really any aspect in their life. I have certainly experienced my share of imposter syndrome. First was when I started my first year of college. I am the first person in my immediate family to go to college and I started to doubt myself before my first day of classes even started. I wondered if I would be smart enough to complete a four year degree and felt like I would not be at the same level as everyone else in my classes. Once I graduated with my bachelors degree I was proud of myself but still had that nagging feeling that I just wasn't going to be enough and that I wouldn't be accepted into the graduate program I applied to. Fast forward to now, I have reached the end of my didactic work for my program and about to start my last two fieldwork rotations. 

After taking the Imposter Phenomenon Rating Scale Test, I was surprised with my results. I scored a 58, which puts me into the category of having few imposter characteristics. I have struggled with self-doubt and feeling like I was an imposter and throughout grad school have seemed to develop strategies to battle those thoughts. I make sure I always take some time to remind myself of how far I have come and how hard I have worked to get where I am (even when I feel like I've just "lucked into" my life circumstances). 

After reading the assigned article and listening to the assigned podcast I was still shocked to hear some of the statistics about imposter syndrome. I was very surprised to read that 70% of people have experienced imposter syndrome at some point in their life! I agree with the statement made in the podcast on society as a whole not being vulnerable enough with one another. Social media is a huge influence on the lives of many people today and sadly, majority of the time we are only shown all of the good that happens in the lives of other. I know I am very guilty of comparing myself with the people I see on my social media platforms. A way that I have felt with this is that I have deleted the social media apps of my cell phone so I'm less prone to mindlessly scroll through the constant feeds of the life updates of others. Another strategy I have found helpful to battle imposter syndrome is to write down all of my uncertainties and fears. Once I have everything written down it all seems less stressful and can think of ways to work through each one. My advice and takeaway from this session is to take life one day at a time and always remind yourself of your worth.