Welcome.
I am glad you are here,
Taking this time for yourself to be grounded in your space and opening yourself up to this gentle exploration of imposter syndrome.
At times we may be hooked on the not good enough story.
This can show up as I worry I'll get found out,
I'm not as good of an employee as others think,
And I'll lose my job,
Or I got lucky,
I was in the right place at the right time,
My talent or skills have little to do with my success,
Or I don't belong here,
I don't see people who look or act like me.
Often these thoughts around not being good enough lead us to act in ways that cause us more pain,
Such as double,
Triple checking work,
Having to act in ways to be perfect or extra prepared,
Undervaluing your contributions,
Or not having confidence in yourself.
It may be that you're spending more time at work or in other areas that you want to excel,
And neglecting relationships,
Self-care,
Rest,
And other important parts of your life.
Unhooking from this story takes time and practice,
However it is very possible.
Through unhooking you can release the story that no longer serves you,
And may actually be harming.
With these ideas in mind,
Let us take a moment to notice our breath,
And ground through our body,
Breathing in through our nose,
And out through our mouth.
Take time to deepen this breath,
And allow for a full-bodied experience of settling into our space.
If it is helpful for you,
You can make an audible sigh,
Such as,
Such as,
Perhaps your mind is open to a little more exploration.
Perhaps not,
That's okay too.
Take what's helpful,
Leave the rest.
If your mind is not open,
Just know that's what minds do.
They try to protect us from pain,
So there may be another day,
Or another time,
That there may be more open and willingness.
If your mind is open to exploring,
Note,
How old is the not good enough story?
Who do you remember telling you these hurtful things that you now tell yourself?
What experiences have led to this story?
Or perhaps it was ways you adapted to challenging circumstances.
Maybe it's an internal drive that starts with a great work ethic that then has led to certain parts of your life taking over,
Or not feeling balanced,
Or confident.
Even if you do not have a crystal clear memory of a specific time in your life when this story was created,
Imagine younger you,
And see in your mind's eye,
This smaller child who started developing this story.
You can think of what age this child was.
Many people may imagine themselves at six or seven years old,
But feel free to pick whatever age comes to you.
Looking into the eyes of this child,
What would you say?
How would you comfort or encourage this child?
What touch might be helpful?
A hug,
Or a back rub,
Or a pulling close?
Would you tell this younger child,
With this open face and eager expression,
The crystal clear critical or fearful words you tell yourself now when you are hooked by the not good enough story?
As I'm saying these words,
Notice what comes up for you.
If not,
And you would choose softer words for this child,
What would those words be?
Now shift those words to present day you.
How can you encourage or comfort yourself in times of self-doubt or feeling not good enough?
How would you maintain accountability and work ethic?
How about for balancing with gentleness and self-compassion?
As we sit with this for a moment,
Notice what is occurring in your body,
In your mind.
What sensations are you experiencing?
Note what is showing up for you,
And please tend to yourself with love and compassion.
If this practice feels too challenging to reach right now,
Start in smaller ways.
Start with gentle opening and imagining that younger child and imagining it in different scenarios.
Imagine it in maybe less challenging circumstances and practicing how that softening up feels in your body,
Especially if it's not as natural to you.
As we bring our practice to a close,
You can think of what you want to take away with you today.
It may simply be,
I want to be more compassionate.
I want to notice and name imposter syndrome,
And I want to work to unhook from the not good enough story.
Whatever it is,
Perhaps there's an intention that may be helpful to incorporate in your life.
We will now bring our practice to a close,
Noting our breath,
Breathing in through our nose and out our mouth.
You can deepen your breath,
Expanding and filling your lungs up with air,
Returning to the audible sigh.
If not,
Just continue noticing your breath in and out.
Thank you for practicing with me today.
May you show yourself and others kindness.
