7 Comments
User's avatar
Diantha Leavitt's avatar

Fascinating read, Sabrina, and I totally get you. I've been writing my whole life, and sometimes it's still difficult to identify as one without a 6-figure book deal.

I once took a "belonging vs fitting in" class. It was eye-opening. We looked at how belonging started with our own heart space, and that if we could find safety in where we felt natural belonging, then we could become used to feeling safe in all spaces.

We focused on belonging to our purpose, to humanity, to family, to God, and to ourselves. Take away the competition, take away trying to "prove" worthiness, take away feeling like you're never enough and imposter syndrome says bye-bye.

The concept totally worked for me while I took the class, but it's been a year now, and I need to revisit my notes. It's difficult not to default to comparing yourself when writing on Substack!

Expand full comment
Scott Robinson's avatar

100% Sabs. It is interesting to learn that imposter syndrome is in fact a social/environmental epiphenomenon. I wonder how mindfulness might help, or whether the internalisation of stress management is a distraction from the bigger issue of the social/political structures that cause that stress?

It was also to learn about the parts of the brain that become active in cases of feelings arising due to imposter syndrome. I would ask the question though — is the brain causing those symptoms or is it mind/consciousness?

Expand full comment
Sabrina Ahmed's avatar

Thank Scott. I think the brain and mind/consciousness are inextricably linked so for me, it's more about where we have conscious agency or control vs where we don't.

Mindfulness can really help, unless in very ruminative situations where it can exacerbate issues due to the overthinking or self-referential aspect of it.

That's where it's sometimes better to move into the body in a different way, as you would know, through things like yoga or even team sports, other physical challenges.

I'm keen to look at the other research I've discovered through this one, as there are some aspects I don't think have filtered through to the general public.

Expand full comment
Janet Ridsdale's avatar

Super interesting!

Thanks Sabrina

Expand full comment
Sabrina Ahmed's avatar

Thanks for reading Janet!

Glad you found it an interesting read x

Expand full comment
Wendy Scott's avatar

I’m no longer in a corporate role so instead replicate the room by looking at successful creators who ‘made it’ in 2 weeks.

Lol.

Expand full comment
Sabrina Ahmed's avatar

Ain't that the truth, and why social media is so overwhelming Wendy!

I feel like that on Substack and at the event this weekend as there were 'real' writers there reading their work. It was great to hear the readings through their own voices.

Expand full comment