Thread by @Momph21, Hey #acwri & #phdchat folks, this seemed like a good moment to [...]

Andrew Pyle

Momph21

Hey #acwri & #phdchat folks, this seemed like a good moment to share:
I'm now a tenured associate prof at a well-resourced R1 in a supportive dept; I've got a good pub record & am doing work I enjoy; & impostor syndrome is kicking my butt right now.

Here's the deal:

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I know, objectively, that I know what I need to know AND I know how to learn what I don't yet know to do my work.

I'm working with a great team of people.

The work will all get done.

And yet....

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I just spent half an hour trying to figure out how best to word an email to a co-author about something because I dropped the ball, want him to know I did, want him to know I'm fixing it, and that I really am not a total idiot (really really please believe me?)

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And the great thing is, he's an understanding, kind, thoughtful guy. Those are the kinds of people I try to work with. Good, kind ppl.

And yet my first thought was, "He's not going to want to work with me after this, they're going to drop-kick me off the team, oh crap..."

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And so after sitting here stewing for way too long, I sat back and took a breath and realized that this feeling - this insecurity and feeling small and stupid... this is impostor syndrome.

So now I'll take a deep breath, move on, and do the work. And it will all be OK.

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So, if you're wrestling with insecurities and feeling like you don't measure up to the people around you - just remember:

You're great. You can do this. It all gets done. You're not an impostor. Go do the things you do and feel good about them.

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*Side note: Surround yourself with kind people you enjoy working with, it makes a big difference*

Also, if you read to the end of this thread you deserve a prize or something.

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