Imposter Syndrome and Mental Illness: How It Holds You Back
How I learned to move forward with imposter syndrome.
Hi there!
Imposter syndrome is real.
It’s unusually strong amongst writers, and it’s especially intense amongst people with bipolar disorder. Having both in my life, it’s a daily struggle for me.
What is imposter syndrome? It “reflects a belief that you’re an inadequate and incompetent failure despite evidence that indicates you’re skilled and quite successful.” - The Muse
In simple terms, imposter syndrome is the belief that you’re a fraud. It’s the nagging feeling that you have a secret you’re keeping from the world: you don’t know anything.
“I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying.”
- Michael Jordan
Scott Ninneman publishes two newsletters each week. The Sunday All Things Bipolar Newsletter features the newest content about bipolar life. The Speaking Bipolar Positivity Club Newsletter shares inspirational stories three times a week to help you maintain a positive mindset.
Held Me Back
Imposter syndrome is the reason I waited so long to start an email list. It’s also the reason I struggle every week to write my newsletter. And it’s why I waited years to open up about my mental health struggles.
Rationally, I know imposter syndrome is nothing to worry about. The reasonable part of my mind knows it’s a lie. If you want to help someone, you just need to be one step ahead of where they are.
For example, if we’re baking a cake, and I know the next step is to add two eggs to the batter and you don’t know what to do, then I have something to teach you. I’m not a fraud because I know what you should do next.
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