“Ask me no questions, and I’ll tell you no fibs.” – Oliver Goldsmith
Anxiety and imposter syndrome are things that have been present in my life for as long as I can remember. They are a reality that I have to face every single day and into the night.
One thing that has helped with calming the voices in my head is asking “Who told you that?”.
Who told me that I wasn’t good enough or that I just got lucky to be where I am? When did someone tell me that this friend, family member, coworker, etc. hate me? Who told me that I am a failure and things are going to fall apart?
About 99.9% of the time it’s me, myself, and I. It’s all in my head even though it can feel very real and urgent at the moment. When you realize that you’re in control of your own thoughts and your own self-destructive tendencies. Then you regain the power that anxiety, imposter syndrome, whatever it may be for you had for so long.
I am aware that asking yourself a question will not solve all of your problems. Sometimes medication, therapy, or even rehab is needed to rewire your brain and get you on a good path.
But it’s a stepping stone, and if you remember to implement it into your life whenever needed you now have the ability to stop the dangerous spirals that occur.