"I don't belong here."
"Everyone else is better than me."
"I'm going to be found out."
"I can't do it."
"I did that but it was just luck."
Do these sound familiar? If so, you may be experiencing Imposter Syndrome!
Here are 5 tips you can use to help overcome those feelings:
1. Notice your feelings, and separate them from fact
What is the little voice in your head telling you? Just because that little voice tells you things, it does not make them fact. In fact, can you find any evidence that what it is saying is true at all? What about evidence that what it is telling you is not true? Does that voice have the same power now?
2. Are you thinking "I must…", "I should…."
According to who? If you can't think of anyone then is it really true?
If you can think of someone, is their opinion relevant? Why is their opinion more important than yours?
3. Don't be so hard on yourself
Would you speak to your best friend how you speak to yourself? Why is it acceptable to talk to yourself like that then? How could you talk to yourself in a more supportive and kind way?
4. Stop comparing yourself to other people
They have not lived the same life as you! They don't have the same experience, skills, influences, ideas etc. etc., so why would you be the same as them? Who are you to judge them as better or worse than you? You need to do what is best and right for you, nobody else has the right to compare or judge you either.
5. Talk to someone
A friend, a family member, a colleague, a teacher, a boss, a professional - anyone. Just talking about things out loud can reduce their impact - and most people like to feel they've helped in some way.
And be kind to yourself, always.