I’m already here : Project therealme(?) aims to tackle Imposter Syndrome
WHAT IS IMPOSTER SYNDROME (?)
Do you ever feel like a fraud? Or that you don’t live up to the expectations set for you, or set by yourself ? Such feelings are more common than you think.
Recently, a global survey done by Asana, a workplace application tool developed by Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz, found that nearly three quarters (74 per cent) of Singaporean workers experienced imposter syndrome. The survey also found that Singaporeans are more susceptible to imposter syndrome than their counterparts from other countries.
Imposter syndrome is the internal struggle against your harshest critic: yourself. Any praise and acknowledgement given is simply courtesy. Any success achieved is merely luck and circumstance. Any achievement is over-inflated and underserved. Those affected by imposter syndrome experience lingering self-doubt in spite of evidence to the contrary, and severely undervalue themselves.
RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE GOALS
SO WHAT (?)
This phenomenon has been exacerbated by the advent of social media, where there is constant competition for validation and acknowledgement. The pressure to present only the best version of oneself is intensified by a looming dread of criticism and negativity. Younger age groups are especially vulnerable to these feelings given their impressionable natures and naivety.
Those with imposter syndrome may feel compelled to work unreasonably hard in order to make up for their perceived inadequacies, burning out in the process. Furthermore, projecting a facade to meet impossible expectations can destabilise and chip away at one’s mental health.
WHAT IS PROJECT therealme (?)
Project therealme(?) is a ground-up project supported by Facebook and National Youth Council (NYC) project to tackle this exact issue. The 3 main objectives are awareness, affinity and action. The campaign aims to raise awareness on the issue, while helping youths suffering from it find ways to cope and come to terms with unhealthy expectations.
The team wants to normalise difficult conversations about self-esteem, feelings of inadequacy, and the inability to meet expectations. This is through creating an avenue for youths to share their vulnerabilities online, deconstructing the untenable standards of perfection while also providing encouragement to those who may relate to the experiences to share, for them to know that they are not alone in their struggles.
By leveraging common experiences in Singapore’s rigorous academic system, it allows youths to share and empathise more easily. In the coming weeks, the team plans to launch a podcast series from 30th November 2021 to 1st February 2022 as well as a webinar on 13th January 2022, inviting discourse and varied perspectives from professionals and students alike.
