This time of self-isolation and quarantine around the world has been tough on everyone. For some, it has been an exceptionally difficult time, those who are extroverts, those who are stressed because of finances, and especially those who suffer from the very real issue of imposter syndrome.
My Own Story
I had suffered chronically with this for more than 20 years. From the time I started succeeding in high school, I had the inklings of it starting in the back of my mind. I would question whether I really deserved the success. I would fear that someone would find something I did wrong to achieve that success (though I had not), and that what I had achieved would be taken away.
Fast forward a few years and this spiraled out of control. As an adult in my early 30’s I would fear being arrested, though I abide by the law. I developed significant fear that I would be “found out” at the church I was a youth pastor.
I then started working from home. That lasted about seven years before it truly got the best of me, and I ended up in a hospital with severe depression and anxiety (both of which go hand in hand with Imposter Syndrome).
The good news is there is hope. Keep reading, let me explain what is it is, and why isolation is a challenge, and I will give you some hope!
Fast forward a few years and this spiraled out of control. As an adult in my early 30’s I would fear being arrested, though I abide by the law. I developed significant fear that I would be “found out” at the church I was a youth pastor.
I then started working from home. That lasted about seven years before it truly got the best of me, and I ended up in a hospital with severe depression and anxiety (both of which go hand in hand with Imposter Syndrome).
The good news is there is hope. Keep reading, let me explain what is it is, and why isolation is a challenge, and I will give you some hope!What is Imposter Syndrome?
The International Journal of Behavioral Science published a review article in 2011 estimating that 70% of all people will suffer from at least one episode of imposter syndrome during their lifetime. But what exactly is it?
Imposter Syndrome is simply the feeling, or fear, that you are an imposter in your life. It could be at your home, at your job, with your friends, or in any other area of life. Essentially, it is the fear that people will “find out” you are not who they think you are.
This used to be ascribed to successful women in the workplace. The IJBS article opens that up to every person in every walk of life.
Imposter Syndrome is simply the feeling, or fear, that you are an imposter in your life. It could be at your home, at your job, with your friends, or in any other area of life. Essentially, it is the fear that people will “find out” you are not who they think you are.
This used to be ascribed to successful women in the workplace. The IJBS article opens that up to every person in every walk of life.
The Challenge of Isolation
If you were already feeling like an imposter before the Great Shutdown of 2020 began, this must be an exceptionally hard time for you. When we are face to face with people we can watch and see what they are doing, and their body language. We can see whether they are “on to us” yet.
Unfortunately, when we are isolated, this is hard to gauge and can cause these thoughts to spiral out of control. However, this is also a great time to deal with some of these thoughts on your own terms.
Unfortunately, when we are isolated, this is hard to gauge and can cause these thoughts to spiral out of control. However, this is also a great time to deal with some of these thoughts on your own terms.
You Can Make It Through
That time I was in was really dark for my family and I, and it almost cost me everything. Fortunately, I found help because I could recognize something was deeply wrong. Coming out of that, I embraced hope that things could be different and they were.
The very first thing you must do is recognize accept that you ARE NOT an imposter in any way. That is what I like to call “stink’n think’n” and it does not serve you.
You can make it through this time, and if you are willing to do a little work on yourself in the process, you can come out of this a much better person. Take even 10-15 minutes every day, and by the time the world has returned to normal, you can be on your way to really being the kind of person you want to be.I have put together a guide of 4 Ways To Stay Sane in an Insane World, which will walk you through the steps I have used to get past this thought process, and really start enjoying life again! Get your copy of it here, and let’s make the most of this time we are being given right now!
The very first thing you must do is recognize accept that you ARE NOT an imposter in any way. That is what I like to call “stink’n think’n” and it does not serve you.
You can make it through this time, and if you are willing to do a little work on yourself in the process, you can come out of this a much better person. Take even 10-15 minutes every day, and by the time the world has returned to normal, you can be on your way to really being the kind of person you want to be.I have put together a guide of 4 Ways To Stay Sane in an Insane World, which will walk you through the steps I have used to get past this thought process, and really start enjoying life again! Get your copy of it here, and let’s make the most of this time we are being given right now!
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