A Few Notes on Impostor Syndrome

According to Scientific American, "Impostor Syndrome is a pervasive feeling of self-doubt, insecurity, or fraudulence despite often overwhelming evidence to the contrary. It strikes smart, successful individuals. It often rears its head after an especially notable accomplishment, like admission to a prestigious university, public acclaim, winning an award, or earning a promotion."

In other words, Impostor Syndrome sucks.

It makes you feel like a fake or a failure, even when you're doing your very best, kicking ass and taking names, taking no prisoners and saving the world one blog post at a time.

As a 22-year-old, I face Impostor Syndrome a lot. As a 22-year-old female, as a 22-year-old small business owner, as a stay-at-home dog mom and struggling adult. As a writer.

One of the hardest things about quitting my job was convincing myself that everything was going to be all right. Some days, I'm convinced that I'm going to die broke and alone and covered in stale dog food. Other days, I remember how badass I am for starting a business and striking out on my own, and I am very proud of myself for keeping the bills paid and the lights on without a "real job."

What really sucks, though, is that I am so utterly conscious of how fine a line I'm walking between "totally broke" and "making it work." And half the time I think I'm leaning one way or another, only to update my tax spreadsheet and realize I've been totally wrong for two weeks.

But the lights are on.

The bills are paid.

I'm about to have a fantastic summer and a whirlwind move to Philadelphia, and I'm still making it happen.

I am a badass.

I'm a 22-year-old CEO. Don't believe me? Check my business cards.

I've got this, even if there's a very small part of me that says I don't.

So, Impostor Syndrome? Eat my shorts.

That's my professional opinion.