Imposter Syndrome and How to Combat it With Spiritual Practice

Imposter syndrome, a term we’ve likely heard in our lives, which is probably why you’ve landed here. Imposter syndrome tends to settle in when we’re ready to step into our birthright of confidence and showcase our influence to the external world or in our professional roles. But we at times, periodically revert to traits characterized as Imposter Syndrome. Thus, we hold ourselves back by creating self-limiting beliefs of unworthiness. In short, we create reasons why we can’t follow through. Why won’t it work and most commonly, why me? What makes me special enough?

What exactly is imposter syndrome? It’s a self-induced self-sabotaging mindset that stems from feelings of inadequacy or lack. Individuals who’ve faced systemically oppressive experiences such as women and people of color are more likely to find themselves pushing through adversity and imposter syndrome.

These ideologies of why you shouldn’t believe in your potential possibly stem from early conditioning that was imprinted upon you somewhere along your younger years of cognitive development. How did imposter syndrome weasel its way into your psyche? Most common routes likely result from racial biases or realizing at an impressionable age that societal standards of success and survival were built around white masculine-hetero norms and the emulation of such. Spiritually, imposter syndrome has done a number on us as women and people of color. Imposter syndrome was created as a stigma for us to hold ourselves back as people of color by tarnishing our inner light from radiating in our fullest potential.

To tackle why you feel unworthy of expansion, greatness, happiness or success, you must first sit with the uncomfortable.

• What was my first experience where I was spiritually attacked by another as a means of diminishing my self-confidence?
• How has that exact exchange resulted in anxiety induced pressure to create impossible perfectionism out of fear of vulnerability?
• How am I imposing this harmful belief that being imperfectly flawed is my demise and shouldn’t be exposed, therefore, I never want my humanity to be used against me ever again?

Imposter syndrome is survival mode. A mechanism of Fight or Flight that constantly weakens our auras by making our spiritual bodies feel inferior. Our spiritual bodies are meant to thrive in authenticity. Imposter syndrome will convince you that your authenticity should be shamed. It’s time to combat that.

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Imposter syndrome doesn’t allow room for “failure” and thrives off fear of complacency masquerading as a faux blanket of security. Imposter syndrome is a tsunami that gains momentum from the falsity of comfort. You’re here because you’re reading to Spiritually release imposter syndrome. First, it could be helpful to identify what sort of “imposter” you think is your identity before we can shed it.

According to Dr. Valerie Young there are five types of Imposter syndrome categories that exist.

The Expert

Sometimes known as the “know it all.” Meaning, you need to know everything and all information before beginning anything because you want to be factual and punctual. Fear of not knowing enough makes you an imposter.

The Natural Genius

Sometimes you were admired for your effortless way of excelling in life. You tend to get things right, and especially in the first instance. So when you “fail” at something it really makes you question your abilities or confidence. If you don’t find something easy you rather not risk putting yourself on the line for failure because that makes you feel like an imposter.

The Perfectionist

This one is pretty straightforward. No room for error. Details must be cued correctly. How do you forget to dot an i or cross your t. Your very minute slip-up is the end of the world for you. Likely somewhere along your life you were taught there is no room for error because that puts you in harm’s way. Perfectionism is safety.

The Soloist

It’s not because you aren’t a team player. Along the way, folks have let you down. You had to always figure it out all on your own. You were conditioned to believe that your worth was priced upon your ability to take it all on yourself and see how much weight you could carry without any of it crashing and burning. A sure route to anxiety, stress and impossible standards of expectations. If you didn’t figure it out all on your own then is it even worthy? Your measure of being good at something is awarded by whether you figured it all out solo.

The Superwoman/man

This syndrome leaves no room for imperfection. A constant projection that every angle of your life is all good and dandy. “Nope, nothings wrong with me, I’m good!,” could be your motto. You might be prone to never asking for help or sharing with others that you might be struggling. Fear of not having it all together, always, is a mask of perfectionism that must be worn at all times. Oftentimes, fighting internal crises alone. Early on you might have been taught that showing vulnerability is a weakness. Not being perfect is a mark of weakness that allows others to critique or judge you. If you can’t carry the perception that all is well, you feel like an imposter.

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Regardless of which classification you resonate with, here are three spiritual methods you can try towards combating and releasing imposter syndrome. Of course, always seek assistance and advice from any medical professionals such as counselors, psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, and/or spiritual advisors. There’s Crisis Text Line 24/7 if you prefer text-only communication, just text “HOME” to 741741 or The NAMI HelpLine M-F 10 a.m.–8 p.m., ET. 1-800-950-NAMI (6264).

Inner Child Work

Imposter syndrome likely has been imposed on us at an early age. Sometimes a teacher or someone of trusted authority can unconsciously project some of their own traumas. Maybe you experienced high functioning perfectionist parent(s) who imposed the same trauma response onto you as part of a socio-economic survival mechanism. There are so many examples that can be listed. Everyone will have a unique experience. This is where doing inner child healing work can be Spiritually healing. Inner child work is a form of Spiritual work that you can do on your own or through the assistance of any of the above listed practitioners. You can start with a very basic letter written to your inner child asking for forgiveness and proposing a healthy dynamic between you and your inner child. Quantum Hypnosis Hypnotherapy is a great way to help those of us who have a hard time accessing childhood memories. A hypnosis session can help you revisit the exact moment(s) you felt Spiritually attacked as a child and began creating this relationship with imposter syndrome.

Mindset Healing

Shifting our mindset is something that is simple yet profound. First, we must identify the root of our lack mentality. Why do I constantly think of all the negatives first? Why do I resort to seeing the glass half empty? Why do I live in constant fear? Why do I doubt myself? Why am I always thinking “what if?”
Much of our mindset is built of cultural constructs and dogma built by hetero-masculine standards. Identifying how you are constantly comparing yourself to impossible standards is a practical way to begin dismantling your mindset. Creating new healthy dialogue with yourself and learning how to identify your inner critic are profound ways of Spiritually releasing imposter syndrome. Working with a mindset coach or business coach can be helpful for progression in owning your confidence. Your doubts are valid but they could have been projected onto you by someone of significance in your life who projected their own unhappiness as a means of holding you back. People who speak in limiting belief terminology, unfortunately, don’t like to see those around them outgrow them. Writing a list of people who are uplifting and motivational in your life is a way of creating a healthy support system as you create this Spiritual mindset shift.

Prompt Writing and List Building

Imposter syndrome stops us before we even begin. It will freeze you in fear. Imposter syndrome instantly highlights all the cons over pros. This is where writing can be healing and therapeutic. Building lists that support all the negatives and positives in a situation can help you make decisions that are more grounded instead of making impulsive decisions based on flighty perception. Imposter syndrome tends to live in the past or in the future and never in the present moment. Prompt writing to help you stay in your present moment and work through any self-sabotaging behaviors can help you easily transition away from those habits. Build out lists of ways you are supporting yourself. Create lists that remind you of your greatness or one that reminds you of the potential you have yet to achieve. This is a Spiritual exercise that can instantly lift your mood and create an optimistic outlook.

You are worthy of living a life that is fulfilled.