Maybe there was an episode in your life where you’ve gotten an award for being the most outstanding employee in your workplace, or maybe you’ve been recognised as the most outstanding student in your cohort during your graduation ceremony. But something is bothering you – you feel like there was a mistake; You don’t deserve the award and recognition. You were just faking it in front of others to look like you deserved it.
This feeling of thinking that you do not deserve your accomplishments is called the imposter syndrome and the prevalence of it is more common than you think. While it is common for imposter syndrome to occur among students and working professionals alike, perhaps the most limiting factor of this syndrome is that it becomes the deciding factor between you and your goals, because you do not feel like you deserve to pursue the things you want to pursue.
Support groups are available if you need the reassurance and validation that what you are feeling is normal and that it happens to a lot of people. Alternatively, you can seek professional counselling as well. It’s important to remember that you have gotten to where you are in life now because of your own capabilities, and you are worthy.
Resources:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/real-women/201809/the-reality-imposter-syndrome)
https://time.com/5312483/how-to-deal-with-impostor-syndrome/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQUxL4Jm1Lo
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