Impostor syndrome causes those experiencing it to doubt their achievements, intellect, and fear that others will expose them as fraudulent. Imposer syndrome is more prevalent in women and particularly women of colour.
The term “imposter syndrome” was coined by psychologists Pauline R. Clance and Suzanne A. Imes in 1978 to describe an “internal experience of intellectual phoniness in people who believe that they are not intelligent, capable or creative despite evidence of high achievement.” Imposter syndrome creates feelings of doubt, unworthiness, and fraudulence.
I remember talking about setting up Mindwalk Yoga and my mission to reach under-represented people with mental wellness yoga to an old neighbour. Instead of congratulating me on starting a new venture, he began to rack his brain thinking of people he could introduce me to, to get me a job. Don’t get me wrong, I love expanding my network, but it was the implied narrative that what I was doing wasn’t enough, and I’d need to work for someone, rather than actually setting something up for myself. It’s these types of interactions that can cause doubt and create imposter syndrome.
Overcoming imposter syndrome involves changing our mindset about what we’ve achieved, our contribution, our milestones, and our expertise. We can’t compare ourselves to others, but rather acknowledge our individual achievements and journey.
I use empowering inner-narratives to build my sense of self, practice movement with breath to feel settled in my body, and try to be as kind as possible to myself. I will never know everything, I will mess-up, I will get stuff wrong, but that doesn’t mean I don’t deserve my position. It means I’m human.
I think we all have a role to play in overcoming imposter syndrome. The next time you’re in a space and there is an under-represented person, how can you make them feel settled and encourage them to share themselves.
