Imposter Syndrome: Introduction | Psychology Series

When I started writing my blog, the first topic on my list was going to be imposter syndrome and how to deal with it. 
But then I thought it wouldn't be a good topic. talk about foreshadowing. 
Time and time again I keep coming back to that topic. I want to talk about imposter syndrome, but I never knew what would be so different that my readers have never read before. My writing process involved writing material that has a familiar topic with new information and unique specific data. with imposter syndrome, this could be an untouched approach. 

So after ages of sitting on this topic, I have finally decided to just go with it and write what I feel like in the hope that you will find this relatable and helpful.

What is Imposter Syndrome?

Well, Wikipedia defines it as "Impostor syndrome, also known as impostor phenomenon or impostorism, is a psychological occurrence in which an individual doubts their skills, talents, or accomplishments and has a persistent internalised fear of being exposed as a fraud." 

In easier terms, it is the fear of not being enough. It can be recalled as the feeling one gets when one feels their work is not substantial enough to be presented. when you feel unworthy of the prices and rewards you are earning. the feeling of dread in case someone finds out that you are not as good and lose your job or perpetuation. 

Can't relate? Well, that's good for you. But many don't feel like that. 

When I started writing and posting my blogs, I disregarded all the compliments I got because in my head they were not good enough. my only thought was, 'they are praising and supporting me because they are my friends and family. even if the compliments were from strangers. 

The need to push myself, the requirement for a constant supply of serotonin to feel enough, and the external validation required for simulation was not just enough.

Why did I feel like that?

There are many reasons I feel this way, some I am aware of and some are up for diagnostics. which I may or not may ever know. Pauline R. Clance and Suzanne A. Imes, however, used the term imposter syndrome in their work "The Impostor Phenomenon in High Achieving Women: Dynamics and Therapeutic Intervention" as the feeling of I. The experiment conducted on high-achieving women in the field of academia was concluded with revolutionary results in the field of psychology. 

The subjects, despite being high functioning contributors to the academic field, had a doubt that their work was of low significance. they were waiting for their reputation to be tarnished if they did not keep climbing up with withe construction to their respective fields. 

That is how many people still feel.

I have talked to so many people whom I admire for their work. they have the same feeling of perpetual anxiety. Some of them I work with, some of them I follow on social media, and others have destroyed their work just because they want to not get caught in their false advertising, all because of the voice in their minds telling them they aren't going to make the top tier of society. 

A Short Story. 

I found this post on Pinterest a long time ago. I had saved since to add in support of my arguments. I am not going to assume that you are not familiar with Neil Gaiman but his writings have kept me up in college days contemplating how I can master this level of interaction in my words. 

There are many other tales of people not acknowledging their worth just because they feel like a fraud with their work or feel they are not giving their 100%.

Some of the most common reasons for imposter syndrome are: 

• Anxiety
• Low self-esteem
• Pressure
• Coming self with others
• Need for external validation
• Lack of family support
• Parental neglect
• History of racial or gender discrimination
• A high achiever at a young age
• Inferiority complex

Some Personal Experiences:

At the cost of being vulnerable, I have felt like an imposter ever since my school years. I was average in studies with high involvement in the extra curriculum. The teachers were always nice to me but not enough to give me unjust additional scores. In college, I felt the need to be the best. and if I was anything less than that I would shrink in the background and give up.

At my work, with my first freelancing project I asked for the lowest price possible. I only realised after a friend pointed it out. I have corrected that mistake since, but I sold myself short just because I could not mark my value despite having the talent. 

Now you can understand why Imposter Syndrome is an issue for anyone.

At the beginning of the year, 2022, I aimed to start my YouTube Channel, and my need for perfection with my low self-time delayed that project by 8 months. I still have my doubts and insecurities. After so many years of feeling "not enough" I have started working on all my doubts by the only thing I know how to do: keep writing.

In my experience, the only thing that can make me feel a little better is to keep jumping nose first into projects without giving up at the slightest inconvenience. 

Conclusion:

Even after writing 813 words, I don't think I am anywhere near the point I am trying to make. That's also because I am nowhere done. so I am going to make it into a series. 

Imposter syndrome, like many other psychological phenomenons that adversely affect our work, personal and social life, can not be elaborate, explained, and answered in just one blog post.

In my future blogs you can expect:

• Why they happened?: In-depth

• How to not feel like an imposter?

• A-listers who felt like imposters.

• The remedy for imposter syndrome.

• Imposter syndrome in writers.

• Imposter syndrome with influencing.

• Imposter syndrome + Family life.... and many other topics.

For now, all I have to say is something you might never want to hear:  You are not special. Especially, when it comes to your doubt. 

My social life is always open to doubts, conversations, and status updates. Plus, I post every 5 days.