Whether it be school, work, or extracurriculars, we have all had days where we feel insecure. It is perfectly normal to experience this, as everyone struggles with self-confidence from time to time. But, what many do not realize is how serious our insecurities can become, and how they can actually threaten our mental health.
Have you ever thought to yourself, “Can I really do this?” when faced with a new opportunity? Do you question your self-worth or doubt your abilities? If these attitudes are familiar to you, you could be experiencing imposter syndrome in your everyday life.
Imposter syndrome is a common condition among people of all ages, races, and walks of life. To break it down, imposter syndrome is the general feeling of not being “good enough.” People who experience this believe that they do not deserve positive opportunities and are unconfident in their talents. Unfortunately, imposter syndrome is common in young girls and teenagers who are still finding themselves.
Victims of imposter syndrome can experience a range of negative emotions which distance them from their peers. Because of their poor self-confidence, victims feel like “imposters” in social spaces. Imposter syndrome is toxic because it convinces people that they do not belong, or that they are not worthy of what they have.
By now, you may be wondering if there are any proactive ways to overcome your own imposter syndrome, which is definitely a good start. While it is important to remember that these feelings are natural, taking charge of your mental health and putting yourself first is one of the best ways to practice self-care.
Below we will discuss four easy ways for any young girl to work through, and eventually overcome her imposter syndrome. These can be done with or without the additional help of a parent, friend, or counsellor.
Practice self-compassion
Imposter syndrome can ruin the confidence of everyone who experiences it by making them feel like they cannot or should not achieve great things. It is important to remember that imposter syndrome comes from within and that the first step to squashing it is by being kinder to yourself. You can do this by writing yourself positive notes, congratulating yourself on hard work, or simply recognizing your insecurities. By doing this, you will be raising your self-worth and begin to accept that no one, not even you, needs to be perfect.
Celebrate every success
For people who live with imposter syndrome, it can be easy to ignore or even reject positive feedback from others because you do not feel you deserve it. When this happens, you stop valuing your achievements and instead, think you have “gotten lucky” when you are successful. To challenge this bad habit, you should celebrate successes of all sizes. Every time you hit a goal, congratulate yourself and validate your hard work. This way, you will slowly be able to believe in the praise you receive from others.
Avoid burnout
For people with imposter syndrome, it can be difficult to separate the “good” types of pressure from the bad. You may want to stay motivated to do your best at all times, but too much pressure on yourself can lead to burnout and feelings of failure. In order to avoid this, you can create schedules to follow while working, studying, or practicing your craft. At this point, you can become aware of your real goals and work towards achieving them without feeling unprepared.
Learn from the past
If your imposter syndrome makes you feel like you can never truly do what you wish, it may be time to look into your past. Think about all of the times you were faced with a challenge and overcame it. Take time to remember mistakes you have made and use them as teaching moments going forward. Recognizing how far you have come will not only help you forgive yourself for past mistakes, but it will also build your confidence for the future. Learning from yourself will allow you to understand what your strengths are, which squashes imposter syndrome.
Overall, imposter syndrome can make an appearance in anyone’s life when they least expect it. For young girls struggling with confidence, a key detail to takeaway is that you can always outsmart your insecurities. Imposter syndrome is only as powerful as you make it, and these four easy tips can help you on a path to better self-esteem. To learn more about imposter syndrome, visit the source content on the Forbes website.
Girl Pow-R’s song “Slam” is about sticking up for yourself against toxic friends, but it can also be applied to confidence issues. The lyrics “gonna stand tall / won’t make me fall” can be interpreted as a girl finding her strength and hitting back against her insecurities. If you are interested in how Girl Pow-R inspires girls to be confident, watch the video for “Slam” on YouTube. Also, be sure to visit the Girl Pow-R website or contact info(at)girlpow-r.com