Shake The Feeling That You're A Fraud

Awareness is a key factor in helping yourself with the impostor phenomenon.

Before you can work through any of this, you have to be able to identify it and understand it. Naming reality helps you find your way through it. Naming it also means recognizing other people feel like this, too. It's a shared experience. 

Be self-soothing. Try affirmations like: "I'm going to do OK, because I did OK last time. I know enough about this. I don't have to be perfect." 

It's essential to have grace for yourself. No one is perfect. We're all trying the best we can.

We must acknowledge the societal impact that influences this feeling.

Different racial and even gender groups are messaged with various things about their place in society. What we see, hear, and read can intensify this phenomenon.

• Look to people who you are hoping to learn from and accept that you don't have to be an expert. It won't make you look weak.
• Create community and build up your support system.
• Ask your friends not to say, "you're going to do great; don't worry about it". Tell them about the kind of support that you need is related to understanding your anxiety, your fear, your feelings and say, I'll be here for you.

Take a break when the pressure is high and be curious about how you're feeling.

Don't judge yourself. Take some deep breaths. Get a good night's sleep when you can, or take a nap if that helps. If exercise is your thing, you can do that, too - whatever healthy choice you think may help reset your mind.