Imposter Syndrome

    Have you ever doubted yourself for little to no reason? Or have you thought of yourself to be unworthy of your current circumstances? Spiraling into endless anxiety over events yet to happen, automatically thinking of the worst possible scenarios, and fearing being exposed as a “fraud”—these are all symptoms of the infamous imposter syndrome. And no, this is not some Among Us reference. Imposter syndrome is when an individual doubts their abilities and experiences persistent fear of failure, even with highly successful accomplishments. Most people with imposter syndrome tend to attribute their accomplishments to sheer luck, overlooking the effort and hard work they put in to achieve those results. This can occur due to a variety of factors, such as extreme perfectionism or a childhood upbringing that overly emphasized achievements. 

      Unfortunately, imposter syndrome is prevalent within the female population and ethnic minorities, exacerbating the issue of inequality that people of these demographics already suffer from. This is largely because of the lack of successful precedents that can act as role models for the future generation. Just like how young children feel happy when they see themselves represented on their favorite TV shows, or when stressed students bond over the common problem of procrastination, we love to know that we are not alone in things. However, females and racial minorities constitute a small number among the prime examples of modern success. Thus, many people are overly worried about their own abilities, for they do not and cannot vividly visualize success, thinking that, since little people have truly attained it, it must be an impossible illusion. 

      Fortunately, there are ways to combat imposter syndrome. On the larger scale, it is up to the current generation to set good examples, lead trends, and instill hope within the rising members of society. On a more personal level, we must learn to balance pessimism and optimism. In other words, one ought not to be overly optimistic nor too pessimistic, but rather realistic. The peer support counselling service that Locker SYS provides can help you create a more realistic self-assessment. Please do not hesitate to reach out for help when you need to.