I have PMDD (pre menstrual dysphoric disorder) and every now and then my PMDD symtpoms hit a bit differently. I almost always get the extreme rage, irritability, tiredness etc that comes with PMDD but sometimes I just get that awful feeling that I’m an imposter in my own life.
3 examples where my imposter syndrome has kicked my arse this past week…
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- At a birthday party with my littlest, I didn’t feel like I had anything interesting to offer the conversations some of the mum’s appeared to already be having. I wasn’t included in any of the conversations so naturally my mind went to me not really feeling welcome there at all.
- I have recently started working again in a school. This time I’m a TA in a reception class which most of the time I absolutely love! This week has felt hard as I’ve felt super distracted and so obviously my head has tortured me into thinking I don’t belong there at all.
- I have had to chase up a few invoices for payment this week in my business. It’s definitely left me thinking that I’m ‘hassling’ people and that my business isn’t as successful as I think it is.
This is all quite familiar to me unfortunately and obviously doesn’t feel very nice. But there are a few things I do when this imposter syndrome hits…
- Be kind to yourself
By this I mean talk to yourself as if you were your own best friend. This takes practise but ultimately imposter syndrome can make you feel quite lonely, so being your own best friend is actually imperative.
- Take time to do things to help your brain switch off
For me, imposter syndrome is EXHAUSTING. My brain just does not stop and it
infiltrates all areas of my life. One thing that really helps my brain to switch off is to have a little sleep. Nothing beats a nana nap!
- Do some grounding work
I find myself very much in my own head so like to sit with both feet firmly on the ground,
doing some breath work and noticing what’s going on in my body. Grounding is a therapeutic technique that can really help with feelings of disassociation.
- Channel your anxious energy
I find myself in two states when I’m feeling like this: switch off mode (see number 2) or
restless mode. In the case of the latter, I find it helpful to channel my energy into something creative mostly and will get in my craft room!
- Reach out to someone who gets it
We all have that one person that just ‘gets it’ – the key is to talk. As soon as your start
offloading you’ll realise that you’re not alone but most importantly that you are giving yourself a very hard time. This will probably also help you with being kind to yourself (see number 1!)
Can you relate to any of this? I find it particularly hard when I feel like this but do know that it’s always only temporary…until next month of course! Or maybe not, because each month with PMDD can be very different!
Love and sparkle always,
Charlotte xoxoxoxox
