imposter syndrome

I don't remember when I felt it for the first time. I want to say it started with my first round of medical school exams, but I know that’s not true.

I remember feeling it years before, on the first day of school, at my first sleepover away from home. The feeling creeping in all around me on my first days on my yoga mat. Wobbly knees in warrior pose, eyes darting around the room to see who would watch me fall.

To be honest, I knew the feeling well.

Imposter Syndrome. According to the Harvard Business Review, the mentality can be defined as a collection of feelings of inadequacy that persist, despite evident success. Chronic self-doubt. A sense of intellectual fraudulence that overrides any feelings of success or external proof of their competence.

For me, Imposter Syndrome was the feeling that kept me from sharing my writing, despite feeling called to do so.

It was a crippling fight with my ego and it halted my connection to community. It took me further from my interests in photography, service and medicine.

Imposter Syndrome was a self indulgent monster that feared failure. This fear would ultimately keep me from starting a blog for over a year, despite writing privately nearly every single day.

Feeling like an imposter is something we can all relate to. Especially when we wake up every day to chase our dreams. By choosing vulnerability through writing, I have found solidarity, support and inspiration.

I'm ready to lean in.

Welcome to The Joyful MD. 

An Instagram inspired photoblog and website about life, medicine, community and passion.

A page about medical school and about finding joy and sharing it, even when you feel like an imposter.

I'm so glad you're here.

Follow for tips, advice, questions, and adventures of a 2nd year Medical Student (MS2) at the University of Colorado.