There’s a voice in my ear– and I’ve been told others hear it too. Is there a voice in yours?

The voice sounds like mine, but I can’t believe I’d ever be that harsh to myself. They say it’s admirable to be “your own worst critic”, but what if that critic stops you from even trying?

This voice in my ear shows up when I want to do something new and tells me: “You can’t possibly think you can do this! You’ve only made it this far because you’re a hack. You’ve managed to fool everyone so far, but sooner or later everyone will see through you.”

Say hello to Impostor Syndrome.

Is it really possible to have fooled all the people who tell me I’m talented? Is my actual talent to deceive people?

I go out into the world, looking for proof of what this voice tells me. I ask my friends, my colleagues, my professors: Am I of any worth?

Of course they reassure me, they laugh and tell me to leave aside these silly thoughts.  I’ve made it so far in life because of my worth, not by luck or chance.

However despite reassurances from friends and family, when I try to get some work done, the weight of this voice is heavy on my shoulders– a burden seated right next to my ear.

Until the day I was tired and weary and finally said: Enough!

And now I know that the voice that says I’m an impostor is really the impostor, and I have learned (or am learning) how to quieten it – and here’s how.

I take a look at how far I’ve come, and how I’ve made this journey. Going through my old journals and pictures– I find stories of hard work, of late nights and early mornings, pictures of resilience and breakthroughs. Words I wrote after a long day’s toil, and pictures I took at the brink of giving up– all to get where I am today.

I realise that the truth has been in front of me all along– My life is a testament of my worth, my achievements have not been by chance – I have worked hard and honed my talents.

The voice of my imposter syndrome had become stronger than my own voice, drowning out my confidence, weighing me down. But I have grounded myself by reminding myself of my achievements, of my talents and knowing I am meant to be here.

So, today, my shoulders feel lighter, and the only voices I hear are people cheering me on – the loudest of which is mine.

I hope you too can find quieten any voices lurking.

Believe in yourself the way I have no doubt your supporters already do!