Leslie Dulfo
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Are you an imposter? Are you a copycat? What really is an imposter? Dig dive, do you want to be an imposter? Moreover, what is Imposter Syndrome? Questions. Questions? Questions!
My friends used to say that it is a feeling of not being enough. It is the lack of confidence, when in fact you have the capacity or skill to do things splendidly or spectacularly. I heard it from people with mental issues and even from anyone who finds themselves lost along the road – managers, entrepreneurs, writers and all. It may come one day, stay for a few days and leave you some other days. It may be connected to some trauma or bad experience that makes you delay or procrastinate things.
I recently had a bout of this myself to conduct a seminar on mental health and writing. I sometimes think I am not enough. I don’t find the courage to take the cause further. Sometimes, I just want to be in a peaceful and comfortable space. I guess that’s what aging is all about (funny and not-so)!
Sometimes, imposter syndrome is trying to talk to yourself in the mirror that you can do it. Imposter Syndrome does not mean you have mental issues outright nor does talking to yourself in front of the mirror make you really crazy. Self-talk is essential and normal too.
For some people, there are certain actions or poses to encourage yourself to be confident. These are power poses. Remember the butterfly hug? It works the same way. Go to the comfort room before any activity and do the pose. As you can see, I have a lot of those power poses done too.
Other times than self-talk, you need people to support you. You need to be asked particularly what is your objective? Is it to encourage people? Is it for your personal growth? Is it both? Remember, to never forget for what reasons you started. Go back to that moment.
Then you’ll realize, it’s not a win or lose cause. It’s a win-win situation – a knowing of oneself and the courage to be who you are. Then, hopefully, everything else follows. I’m sure it will!
Butterfly hugs to wherever you are in the world, power pose if you must and self-talk even in front of the mirror if you can. You deserve every opportunity created and the world will see you as you are – WORTHY! —————
Disclaimer:
The writer is a mental health advocate and not a mental health professional, she shares thoughts and personal experiences as related and corroborated by psychologists and psychiatrists. Her mission is to break the stigma arising from talking about mental illness and encourage others to be open to seek help from mental health professionals.
Should any thoughts or opinions trigger you, contact a mental health professional. For worse case scenarios, schedule an appointment with Baguio General Hospital Medical Center (BGHMC) through text, call or the konsulta app for Baguio residents. Also, you can call 911 (also for Baguio residents) when needed and be directed to the City Health Services Office – Mental Health and Substance Use Unit.