If I do get married, I am stealing "WHAT A GORGEOUS WEDDING OF VERY SOPHISTICATED PEOPLE" for the invitation.
And oof oof OW (yes) re: "It is because I fear showing up as me means showing up somewhere I am not welcome." In high school, I overheard one (very perceptive, almost witch-esque) teacher tell a student to stop saying sorry so often: "It's like you're apologizing for being alive," she said. I've forgotten so much from actual classes, but that sentence is burrowed into my brain.
Imposter syndrome likes to attend the galas of: work environments; talking with people I don't know very well, especially new people ("I am a loathsome toad, what are they doing in my vicinity"); therapy (so fun & fresh, doubting trauma!); and learn to swim classes. Also anything involving dancing.
What I have found helpful to deal with it: forcing myself to listen or watch something funny, a short clip, but something I know will make me laugh. If I'm laughing, something's right.
Thank you, always, for your thoughtful comments, I read every one of them and appreciate them so much, but the replying to my comments lately has been tricky as burnout means I can't give them the love that I want to so I keep avoiding the replies at all.
I cannot wait for your wedding invitation/announcement - this is the most iconic thing ever, yes please!
Also so appreciate you sharing where imposter syndrome shows up for you, some of them I realized hit for me too and I didn't even notice - TRAUMA DOUBT ARE YOU KIDDING ME? But also, yes, no, sadly not, I get it.
I love these tips also, I have an album in my phone called "warm hug" and its things that make me smile goofy and full of love and things that make me laugh out loud. It's a great resource that I always forget about so thank you (another thank you, so many for you!) for the reminder 🧡
(General COMMENT note: I am also bad at comment replies—see this one—and I vote we pass a universal Respond When Can bill! Commentary across the airwaves! Without air pressure!)
Yours is the only substack I listen to (still working on my audio attention span skills) and this week’s letter to us did not disappoint. It *was* perfect because it wasn’t perfect--and yet, who’s to say what perfection is, anyway? Like hearing an emotional share in a meeting. I cried, giggled, smiled. It’s hard not to feel as if we’re all trespassers in this world sometimes, even in sobriety and for me, especially as a writer when I choose to open the floodgates of self-doubt.
You’re doing good work, my friend. Thank you for your words, your voice, your moments of truth. 😘
I have said it before and I will never stop saying it: I am so grateful for you, friend! Your wisdom in so many walks of life that I admire, I am beyond thankful for 🧡
So vulnerable, necessary, and beautiful. Thanks for the shout out, friend.
XOTwinkle
🧡🧡🧡 thank you so much for reading, friend! xx
Thanks always for your honesty.
and I love this line so much:
"It has left me with the hope that settling might not have to be what I do after all."
And that final photo is the best!!
Thank you so much for reading and your support, my friend 🧡
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and fears, they are so real and relatable. Sending you lots of love xx
🧡🧡🧡 sending big love back to you xx
If I do get married, I am stealing "WHAT A GORGEOUS WEDDING OF VERY SOPHISTICATED PEOPLE" for the invitation.
And oof oof OW (yes) re: "It is because I fear showing up as me means showing up somewhere I am not welcome." In high school, I overheard one (very perceptive, almost witch-esque) teacher tell a student to stop saying sorry so often: "It's like you're apologizing for being alive," she said. I've forgotten so much from actual classes, but that sentence is burrowed into my brain.
Imposter syndrome likes to attend the galas of: work environments; talking with people I don't know very well, especially new people ("I am a loathsome toad, what are they doing in my vicinity"); therapy (so fun & fresh, doubting trauma!); and learn to swim classes. Also anything involving dancing.
What I have found helpful to deal with it: forcing myself to listen or watch something funny, a short clip, but something I know will make me laugh. If I'm laughing, something's right.
Thank you, always, for your thoughtful comments, I read every one of them and appreciate them so much, but the replying to my comments lately has been tricky as burnout means I can't give them the love that I want to so I keep avoiding the replies at all.
I cannot wait for your wedding invitation/announcement - this is the most iconic thing ever, yes please!
Also so appreciate you sharing where imposter syndrome shows up for you, some of them I realized hit for me too and I didn't even notice - TRAUMA DOUBT ARE YOU KIDDING ME? But also, yes, no, sadly not, I get it.
I love these tips also, I have an album in my phone called "warm hug" and its things that make me smile goofy and full of love and things that make me laugh out loud. It's a great resource that I always forget about so thank you (another thank you, so many for you!) for the reminder 🧡
(General COMMENT note: I am also bad at comment replies—see this one—and I vote we pass a universal Respond When Can bill! Commentary across the airwaves! Without air pressure!)
Yours is the only substack I listen to (still working on my audio attention span skills) and this week’s letter to us did not disappoint. It *was* perfect because it wasn’t perfect--and yet, who’s to say what perfection is, anyway? Like hearing an emotional share in a meeting. I cried, giggled, smiled. It’s hard not to feel as if we’re all trespassers in this world sometimes, even in sobriety and for me, especially as a writer when I choose to open the floodgates of self-doubt.
You’re doing good work, my friend. Thank you for your words, your voice, your moments of truth. 😘
I have said it before and I will never stop saying it: I am so grateful for you, friend! Your wisdom in so many walks of life that I admire, I am beyond thankful for 🧡
One of my favorite guided meditations by Jeff Warren talks about being like Fonz. This was such a lovely read 🤗
Oh my goodness I have totally done that one I will have to go and revist it. Ahhhh, Jeff rocks. Thank you for reading 🧡🧡