Hands up if you have ever experienced Imposter Syndrome or the Fraud Factor?
Yup, I most definitely have. When it arises, I am filled with self-doubt, wondering ‘who the hell am I to be saying or doing this?!’
It has been active throughout my adult life; in my corporate career, when I launched my business, when I volunteered to Coach my daughter's football team, then again, when I pivoted my business. To be totally honest, it has even come up again when launching my latest offering!
It’s an icky sensation of dread and discomfort, sitting deep in my solar plexus - the root of our emotional body and subconscious. Before I began practising self-regulation, the sensations would spiral quickly, moving into my upper body, manifesting as anxiety, along with other physical symptoms, and negative self-talk.
Imposter Syndrome is emotionally and energetically exhausting. On the outside, we wear a mask that shows everyone ‘I’ve got this!’, on the inside, we fear that we are going to be ‘discovered’ or 'found out' as a fraud.
We try to ‘fix’ Imposter Syndrome, which I have found to be like sticking a band-aid onto it.
Imposter Syndrome has deep roots.
What I uncovered was surprising but also a relief. It transformed my relationship with Imposter Syndrome. I no longer looked at it as if it was a sniper trying to take me out but instead a messenger reminding me to regulate my system as well as showing me what is coming up for healing, as part of my growth. It is a process, which is why it doesn't just 'go away'.
I still experience the sensations of Imposter Syndrome and that's ok! This is part of the human experience, but it definitely helps to navigate the process with as much grace and ease that is available to us.
It goes way beyond mindset work.
Self-regulation and relearning to self-soothe, through somatic techniques from the science and wisdom of Kundalini Yoga and Energy Healing work, have played a huge part on my healing journey, helping me to navigate the sensations to serve me, rather than being controlled by them. I like to think of it as energetic alchemy.
When we use the strong winds of self-doubt to support the sails of our metaphoric boat, to our advantage, we navigate more gracefully around the challenges and obstacles, instead of crashing into them. This is resilience.
When Imposter Syndrome arises now, know you're on the right track.
Imposter Syndrome has roots in our childhood. But we can upgrade the old childhood programmes that are running by reparenting ourselves and understanding how to self-regulate and relearning new self-soothing techniques that serve us.
Which is why I invite you to go within, and look at the Inner Child.
Who is the Inner Child?
Well, it is you.
The Inner Child lives in all of us, the aspects of self that we have denied, hidden or suppressed.
We all carry unresolved wounds or trauma - trauma doesn’t have to be big T trauma, for the majority of us it is little t trauma - when activated, our Inner Child runs the show.
As children, particularly as young girls we were conditioned to be people pleasers, the ‘good’ girl. We may not have felt seen, heard or valued. Or we were validated based on what we achieved. We learnt to play the role of 'perfectionist' to earn love or validation.
Perfectionism is a key trait of Imposter Syndrome.
Our Inner Child protects us but keeps us in survival mode (fight or flight). These old programmes slow down our growth. We end up fearing change instead of embracing it. We become ‘fixed’ in our mindset and block the opportunities that are available to support our growth.
It’s now our time to heal AND grow AND thrive.
When we nurture and support our Magical Inner Child, we unleash new levels of creativity, we take healthy risks and create a ‘growth’ mindset.
When we lean in and trust the unconditional loving support of our Magical Child, we thrive, and reach beyond our self-imposed limitations. Life truly becomes magical as we begin living a more aligned, authentic and soul-led life.