I’m a fake, and all of you are liars.
Something significant happened to me months ago that changed my life forever.
I lost my job.
Not what you were expecting, right? At the time, it felt like the most unfortunate thing imaginable, especially since I’d only been there for eight months. It didn’t add up, and no matter how much I tried to make sense of it, I couldn’t. My emotions were a whirlwind, yet something felt missing — sadness.
I had never wanted to feel sad before, but I searched for it and found only peace and calm, as if I instinctively knew everything would be fine, despite not knowing what to do next. After the sudden job loss, I packed my things and moved back in with my parents. It felt insane, but I needed distance to think. Days later, I isolated myself at a friend’s place, singing, praying, and reading. I sought to understand why I felt so emotionally detached.
Though my questions were all wrong at the start, unawares I was searching for something much bigger — something my heart already knew.
The isolation was the change I needed, as it was a turning point, unveiling answers to questions I hadn’t even known I had. I finally saw what was right in front of me: I was made for more, and I discovered what God wanted me to do!
I screamed and cried, overwhelmed by the awakening I craved. It was then that for the first time, I recognized my life’s calling extended beyond making money and excelling in my job; it was something grander than I could comprehend.
And that was why it didn’t make sense in the first place.
And then, just as it had all started to make sense, a sense of foreboding came calling.
Suddenly, I felt small and incapable. Some of these dreams were things I had imagined since I was a girl, and now God was giving me ideas on how to achieve them. Yet, it all seemed impossible. The “what ifs” began to plague my mind: What if I was thinking too highly of myself? What if it was just self-deception?
It wasn’t until a friend asked, “Paseal, are you suffering from imposter syndrome?” that I began to connect the dots. After looking it up, I learned it meant self-doubt regarding my skills and intellect. I realized that by doubting myself, I was essentially calling my whole life a lie, claiming my friends were liars, and labeling myself a fake. I felt inadequate, regardless of my hard work and achievements.
I realized that a lot of us face this as well.
We have ambitious dreams that seem surreal, sometimes labeled as “insensible” or “impossible.” Maybe friends have called us crazy for even considering them, or perhaps we feel underqualified due to our age or experience.
As I reflected on my journey, I thought about the steps I took to overcome that mindset.
First, I began to ask myself reflective questions. I wrote down the limiting beliefs I had internalized — the things I thought I couldn’t do. I acknowledged my fears but started actively countering them. I started affirming my capabilities and listing my skills, which helped me regain confidence and clarity about my potential.
Second, I reminded myself that I wasn’t alone; I had friends, family, and loved ones cheering me on. If you feel alone, seek a community of like-minded individuals to support you. Networking with like-minded individuals can reveal that you’re far from alone in your struggles and dreams.
Most importantly, I recognized that I had God on my side. “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth’. Mark 9:23.
So unless you’re calling God a liar, get out there and be all that you were made to be.
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments! If you have any questions or just want to connect, feel free to drop me a message on Instagram. Don’t forget to subscribe using the signup form below to stay updated with my latest emails. And if you found this helpful, share it with your loved ones to spread a little encouragement today!
