Today, we're diving into a topic that touches many of

us, yet it often remains hidden in the shadows

of our success and daily lives. It's imposter

syndrome. Have you ever felt like you're about to

be found out that despite your achievement,

you're just winging it. And soon everyone will see

that you're not as capable as they think. You're not alone.

Today, we're going to uncover the truth behind these

feelings, share stories of resilience, and arm

ourselves with strategies to kick imposter syndrome

to the curb. So grab your cup of coffee, get

cozy, and let's get into it.

Hey, friend. Ever feel like those old fashioned

ideas about aging just don't fit you? If you're ready to

own this incredible chapter with grace, style, and a touch of

sass, this is your space. Welcome to the aging with

grace and style podcast. I'm Valerie Hatcher, and I'm here

with empowering tips, inspiring stories, and a whole lot of

fun just for us, women over 50. So grab

your favorite beverage, turn up the volume, and let's get

started.

Have you ever landed a big promotion or

crushed a project, baked a stunning birthday

cake or made a new friend. But then

a sneaky voice piped up saying, you just

got lucky. Everyone's going to figure out that you're

a fraud. We've told we've been told

all our lives what we should look like,

how we should act, and what counts as

success at different life stages. No wonder that

inner critic pipes up sometimes. If that sounds

familiar, then you might be struggling with imposter

syndrome and you're not alone. I have

especially seen this in women over 50.

We've lived through decades of shifting

societal expectations, and we're often

juggling multiple roles, career professionals,

mothers, partners, caretakers, all

while navigating the challenges and stereotypes of

aging. I want us to

dismantle imposter syndrome. I'm here to

remind you that you are capable,

competent, and absolutely deserving

of your success. But first,

let's understand how imposter syndrome works.

What is imposter syndrome? Let's see.

In simple terms, it's that nagging feeling

of self doubt. The belief that you're not really

qualified for the roles you occupy and

the successes that you've achieved. It's the voice

that whispers, anyone could do what you do,

but here's the truth. Imposter syndrome

is a liar. It affects some of the

most successful and capable individuals, and yes,

it has even affected me. Just the other

day, a friend was raving to others about my

work creating content for brands like Peloton,

Voltaren and Moderna. I felt this

pain of self doubt. There are so many

talented content creators out there, right?

I just got lucky or, or maybe they

reached out because I'm in that age group. But then

I realized that inner critic is the

voice of imposter syndrome. And you know what? It's

lying. Creating content is not easy at

all. I put in work and time, photos,

videos, reshoots, captions, etcetera. So heck

yeah, I should be proud of what I've done. I'm

sure that you have your own version

of this story where you've earned the accolade,

know that no one is immune to imposter

syndrome. We, we just may not

always recognize what it is. So a

listener let's call her Janice once wrote to

me about her battle with imposter syndrome.

She said that she had returned to college in her late

forties. She was surrounded by classmates who were

decades younger. Despite acing her

courses, she just couldn't shake the feeling that

she didn't belong, that her achievements were

just flukes. But here's what changed.

She started a study group sharing her life experiences

and wisdom. And soon she realized that

the unique value she brought to the table,

Her, her story reminds me that

overcoming imposter syndrome, is it

about denying our feelings, but it's

about recognizing our worth and the unique path that

we tread. You might have a similar story,

and I'd love for you to share. Leave me a voice message

at prod.agingwithgraceandstyle.com.

So now we've talked about all that, but how do we combat these

feelings? Here are some strategies that have worked for

me and for others. Number 1, acknowledge

your feelings. Recognize when

imposter syndrome is speaking and just label

it, call it what it is. For example,

I'm feeling that familiar tightness in my chest. When I think about

my work, well, that must be imposter

syndrome. Trying to take hold again, call

it out and say, no challenge

your negative thoughts. So replace thoughts like

I don't belong here with, I earned my place

just like everybody else. An example of that would be

going back to the story that I shared earlier

about those other content creators are amazing,

but you know what? I have my own skills and value

that I bring to the table. Number 3 is

celebrate your successes. So maybe

keep a wins folder or a document and write

down your achievements, big or small, and the

skills and effort that it took to get there.

You landed that assignment or that

contract, or in my case, those big brand deals

because of our hard work, our creativity,

and our track record. Even

celebrating a small win, like that email that you

finally answered after procrastinating, it helps to chip

away at that imposter syndrome. Taking

a moment to acknowledge that you overcame your

own resistance and got something done. No matter

how seemingly insignificant it is,

it's a powerful way to quiet that inner

critic. It reminds me that we are

capable and that progress, even in small

steps adds up. And then number 4,

I think we're on 4, talk to friends,

mentors or a coach. You'll find that many people

share your feelings and they offer perspective and

encouragement. So for instance, I can talk to my friend

Tanya. She's a successful video marketing coach, and she

always knows how to boost my confidence.

It's not just about telling

me you did a great job, but reminding me of

all the work that I've put in to get the job done.

And then lastly, number 5, embrace lifelong

learning, seeing yourself

grow and master new skills can

be a powerful antidote to imposter feelings.

For example, I'm always taking

online courses and attending workshops to expand my skills

skill set and to stay on top of the

content creation trends, podcasting, now

video, and not to mention staying on top

of my daytime industry.

Remember, imposter syndrome

thrives in silence, so let's break that silence.

Sometimes the most powerful way to combat imposter

syndrome is to extend kindness toward ourselves.

Remember, everyone makes mistakes and has moments of self

doubt. You are a work in progress,

learning and growing every day. Be patient with

yourself and celebrate your journey.

Let's create a community where we can

remind each other of our worthiness. And let's take

one action today, even a small one, to

challenge those self doubting thoughts. You

are stronger than you think, more resilient than you

realize, and far more capable than that

inner critic will ever admit. Until next

time. Remember, you are enough just as you

are. So let's keep shining with confidence

and compassion.

Thanks for hanging out with me today. I hope you're feeling

inspired and ready to own your awesomeness. I

love sharing this space with you. And if you love today's

episode, do me a favor. Share it with a friend who

could use some extra inspiration. A quick rating

and review really helps too. Don't forget to

subscribe so you never miss an episode. Let's

keep this conversation going. Head over to

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up for my newsletter. Until next time, keep shining

with grace, style, and a whole lot of

sass.