“The greatest obstacle for me has been the voice in my head that I call my obnoxious roommate. I wish someone would invent a tape recorder that we could attach to our brains to record everything we tell ourselves. We would realize how important it is to stop this negative self-talk. It means pushing back against our obnoxious roommate with a dose of wisdom.” ― Arianna Huffington

I can remember the exact moment I first heard of the concept of imposter syndrome. I was sitting with an acquaintance, now friend, having coffee and talking about my new career in sound healing. I learned that day that imposter syndrome is a feeling of self-doubt no matter how much experience, training, or success you have had. At t time the closer I got to being certified and an entrepreneur, the more negative self-talk I had. I was dealing with imposter syndrome on a daily basis and questioned by ability to help others. I was having positive results in my training, yet my “obnoxious roommate” continued to point out all the areas I felt not good enough.

Sadly, so many people feel this way and carry these heavy self-doubts. Some of the characteristics of imposter syndrome include sabotaging self-success, fear of not living up to expectations or failing, burnout, or undervaluing your contributions. At some time or another many of us cycle through needing to be perfect, saving the day, having all the answers, or needing to be noticed. In certain doses these can be healthy, but we need to be careful they are not taking over or controlling everything.

Here are some ways to work through imposter syndrome:

• Notice your thoughts. When you find yourself going down a negative path of self-talk, stop and acknowledge what happened. Then, shift to the opposite or a positive outcome.
• Breath is so important. We need to notice our breath and slow down to help calm our bodies.
• Pay attention to your emotions and your body. Do you feel off during certain situations or time? Take note and make adjustments.
• Release what may not be helping you. Techniques such as exercise, sound therapy, and yoga are good ways to find peace, calm, and balance again.

There are many other techniques that can help you avoid falling into imposture syndrome. Experiment and try multiple methods. The same approach may not work for every situation. We are human and need to give ourselves grace as events in life sometimes unfold. I wish you so much peace and positivity!

Have a beautiful day!

Allisa