You *Do* Belong Here

When the Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University opened in 2018, a large neon exhibit was hung on the outside of the building that said:

You Belong Here

Those three words have a double meaning, especially with VCU being in the South. It’s either affirmative or, with a sinister tone, questioning your place.

Imposter syndrome dips into the latter.

I’m here to help you out of that.

Let’s define imposter syndrome. It's that creeping feeling that someone will tap you on your shoulder one day and say, "You don't belong here." This persistent self-doubt can strike anyone, regardless of their achievements or expertise.

The foundations of imposter syndrome often lie in our past experiences and societal pressures. It can be rooted in early messages about success and failure, or from being in a competitive environment where we constantly compare ourselves to others.

Sometimes, it's triggered when we achieve rapid success or when we're part of a minority group in our field, leading us to question whether we truly deserve our position.

Add to that our own perfectionist tendencies, and our proclivities to comparing ourselves to others, and it can be a recipe for stuckness and anxiety.

This isn’t to say you have to eliminate self-doubt—a little is healthy. It can push you to improve and to stay grounded. Imposter syndrome, however, goes well beyond this.

Earning Your Place

It hurts so much because it undermines your accomplishments, saps your confidence, and can hold you back from pursuing opportunities. The constant feeling of fraudulence can lead to chronic stress, anxiety, and even depression, affecting both our professional and personal lives.

You’re not a fraud. You’ve earned your place where you are. You’ve put the work in, made some sacrifices to be where you are. All in service to your dreams and goals.

But when your imposter syndrome starts getting loud, it’s time to take a step back.

How do you know that the story you’re telling yourself is true? The importance of telling yourself your true story is crucial.

Why should you not buy into that story? Because of what you have accomplished in your career and in your life.

One of the sinister byproducts of imposter syndrome is being unkind to ourselves. Beating ourselves up over those stories.

Don’t fight against yourself. Fight for yourself, your dreams, your aspirations. Be on your side.

How do you fight against imposter syndrome? First, notice it, then name it. Acknowledge your feelings and reframe your thoughts. Recognize that everyone experiences self-doubt at times. Know that you’re not alone in feeling the way you do..

Next, write down what you’ve achieved—no matter how small. Celebrate your wins on a regular basis. Your "success journal" will serve as a tangible reminder of your capabilities when doubt creeps in.

Finally, lean on your peers and mentors for support to help give you perspective and encouragement. Surround yourself with people who will not only lift you up, but challenge you to be the best version of yourself.

We all want to belong. After all, we are social beings. Imposter syndrome can take you out of that belonging and leave you feeling disconnected. The goal of seeing it, and fighting it, is reconnection. To your work, yes. And ultimately to yourself.

If no one ever said to you—positively—you do belong here, I’m saying it to you now.

You Belong Here.

I’m Richard Taliaferro. I’m a certified health and career coach, trained in habit change, specializing in helping mid-stage professionals gain clarity on their career and health journeys. I invite you to click on the link, and let’s talk about how I can support you.