Oftentimes, the term imposter syndrome is attributed solely to athletes going through a slump or rough stretch of play. That could not be farther from the truth, though, as imposter syndrome is a demoralizing feeling that can confront anybody in any walk of life.
Imposter syndrome is a trick our minds play on us, making us believe we are not as good as we truly are. The feelings of not belonging and being undeserving of what one has earned are the roots of imposter syndrome. Eliminating accomplishments, race, gender, social status and public perception, imposter syndrome can wear down the mind of anyone.
Feeling like a fraud causes us to compare ourselves to our peers and competitors, and question whether we are working hard enough. Imposter syndrome is not merely self-doubt, but is a relentless feeling that one’s achievements and hard work are inadequate.
Despite success, individuals navigating imposter syndrome are often trapped in their own minds, attributing success to luck or external help rather than their own abilities and persistence. Regardless of validation from others or clear accomplishments, imposter syndrome constantly looms.
I have fought the mental battle of imposter syndrome countless times, in several different regards.
I have unintentionally wronged others, causing arguments or even leading to relationships fizzling out if I’m unable to prove myself and mend the issue. Everyone makes mistakes that do not align with their true self, but imposter syndrome wants us to believe we are to blame. The echoes in an empty room saying I am a bad friend or partner make me believe I am somebody I’m not, escalating these issues into a battle both inside and out.
I also dealt with imposter syndrome as a basketball player for much of my life. A slight slump of lackluster play, or even one bad game, made me question my skills and completely block out the positives from my performance.
No matter how hard I trained and had proven myself on the court, or how hard I worked for a good grade in school, imposter syndrome quickly infiltrated my mind, and still does today. It is a very slippery slope to be battling, regardless of the context.
Even NBA legend Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors feels the effects of imposter syndrome.
Curry, a top ten NBA player in history and objectively the greatest three-point shooter of all time, has left nothing up for doubt. However, he still struggles with imposter syndrome, telling NBC Bay Area, “I’m human like everybody, you have doubts about yourself, you have imposter syndrome at times.”
Curry is a two-time NBA MVP, a four-time champion and holds the record for most three-pointers made of all time. His battles with imposter syndrome prove that it is nothing but a mind game, as even the world’s most accomplished people who have nothing left to prove can feel like frauds.
World-renowned actress Natalie Portman opened up about feeling like an imposter in her 2015 Harvard commencement speech,.
“I felt like there had been some mistake, that I wasn’t smart enough to be in this company, and that every time I opened my mouth I would have to prove that I wasn’t just a dumb actress,“ Portman said.
Not only is Portman an Academy Award-winning actress, but she is also a Harvard graduate. Having accomplished these incredible feats, it is mind-boggling that she can doubt herself at all. But that is what imposter syndrome is: mind-boggling.
If you are struggling with imposter syndrome, you are not alone and it does not define you. The feeling of being a fraud comes uncontrollably and does not reflect the true personality and work ethic of those affected. The fact that imposter syndrome involves self-reflection is almost a silver lining, as self-doubt means we are always looking to improve.
The challenge of imposter syndrome is learning to trust yourself. Trust in your talents, beliefs, accomplishments and all of the hard work that helped you earn the success you have felt. Remember that your mind is not always your friend, and that real frauds do not worry about being frauds.
Jack Muldowney is a freshman studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note the opinions expressed in this column do not represent those of The Post. Want to talk to Jack Muldowney about their column? Email/tweet them at jm760224@ohio.edu or @JackMuldowney1.
