How to Handle Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome is a specific diagnosis that makes you feel as if you are lesser or otherwise not worth the accomplishments you’ve managed in your life. Despite evidence to the contrary, you will likely feel unworthy or useless if you’re suffering from imposter syndrome, and you’ll likely hoard these feelings of discontent for long after they have already started to harm you and your mental health.

In the simplest terms, those who are suffering from imposter syndrome constantly feel as if they are a fake or a fraud, and that it’s only a matter of time before they’ll be found out.

If this sounds like something you’re dealing with, lets talk about the best ways to handle imposter syndrome.

Best Methods for Handling Imposter Syndrome

There are many ways to combat Imposter Syndrome, but they all boil down to recognizing your internal worth and taking ownership over the wins you’ve made.

Consider the following:

Stop Looking At Other Grass

Many cases of imposter syndrome come from people comparing themselves to others. It’s much easier to look at someone else and see how they’re thriving, or how they’re worth all that they’ve achieved, but it’s much harder to look inside yourself and do the same. However, if you keep your eyes on your own paper (life) and stop comparing yourself to others who seem like they have it so much easier, much of the basis for your imposter syndrome will feel less relevant.

Therapy/Talking to Others

Seeing the truth of what you’re feeling can be extremely hard. This is why you should enlist the help of others in your life – or with a professional, licensed therapist – to help you discern what is imagination and what is reality. So that, rather than running yourself in circles, you can have some external viewpoints to contrast with your own.

Keep Your Accomplishments At the Forefront Of Your Mind

Imposter syndrome thrives in situations where it’s hard to determine what is true and what your feelings are telling you. So, when it comes to imposter syndrome, you will need to fight feelings with facts.

Even if you feel as if you don’t deserve your accomplishments, make a list of the things you’ve achieved. Then, in moments when you’re feeling down about yourself, you can refer to this tangible list of achievements you’ve scored in your life.

Discerning Truth From Reality

Imposter syndrome can come for the most settled individual, and it’s an insidious thing that might not be noticeable until it already has its grips in you. However, at that point, realize what negative feelings you keep cycling back to, and try to separate those feelings from objective facts.

For example, if you think that you don’t deserve something or that you don’t have the skills to perform something to the level it requires, look back on what you’ve accomplished before. Have you done it before? If you’ve done it before, that’s proof that you can do it again, no matter what your feelings are telling you.

Use Imposter Syndrome As a Weapon

This might seem somewhat counter-intuitive, but one of the best strategies against imposter syndrome is imposter syndrome itself. Whenever you’re feeling low, keep the description of imposter syndrome at the forefront of your mind and remember that imposter syndrome doesn’t latch on to people who are actually imposters. Ergo, if you’re feeling imposter syndrome, you are not a fraud!

Takeaway

Imposter syndrome can come for everyone, and there isn’t much to be done until you’re in the thick of it. However, if that happens to you, use our tips to get a handle on your imposter syndrome, then look on your achievements with your head held high.