The Latina Urge to Fight Imposter Syndrome
By Savannah Castaneda
I don't know how many times a day I think to myself, "What the f*ck?!," "I can't do this," "I don't know how to do this," "I'm gonna cry," or "I'm just gonna quite before I waste more time."
ALL of these things are probably felt by Latinas and Latinxs in a variety of different settings and actions. And they're probably especially said and felt by first-generation Latinas and Latinxs creating new lifestyles and breaking generational curses, bad habits, and traumas.
It is fucking hard to be the first at anything. You have no blueprint, no game plan, nobody to ask for help or for advice, nothing to base your ideas on... it's just all up to you. And when you need to do something on your own with no help, it's frustrating. It's confusing. At times it's depressing. And you feel all of these things because, along the way, you go through many challenges, lessons learned, mistakes, and maybe even some regrets. And believe me, you will want to quit, and you will probably cry.
And I still feel all of these things today. Whether it's during my full-time job, where I work with very experienced professionals who have been working in the criminal legal system for years within very large agencies; whether it was while completing my graduate program at an Ivy League, where practically everyone was the 4th or 5th generation getting a college/grad degree and had a family with access to money and resources; or while doing this small business every day, where I compare myself to brands and companies that have either been in the game for years or who had investors or family members contribute to it.
It is not easy being the first. And unfortunately we - us strong Latinas and Latinxs who wish to create a different life for ourselves and our families - will have to navigate through these different emotions because we will be the first for many, many things. But I do want you to know that when you get those feelings of self-doubt, and when you get that urge to call it quits, don't. You will scream, will cry, you will probably cry again - but if you want it, you can do it. I believe in you, and there's probably a lot of other people that do, too. But most importantly, I hope you believe in yourself, Mujer. You are powerful, strong, and fearless. And I hope you use that fire in your soul, your chingona energy, and your ancestors' blessings to keep moving forward every day. One step at a time. So whenever you get overwhelmed, take a step back and breathe. Remind yourself that you got this. You will succeed.
Keep dreaming BIG, Mija.
Stay Blessed,
Savy
ALL of these things are probably felt by Latinas and Latinxs in a variety of different settings and actions. And they're probably especially said and felt by first-generation Latinas and Latinxs creating new lifestyles and breaking generational curses, bad habits, and traumas.
It is fucking hard to be the first at anything. You have no blueprint, no game plan, nobody to ask for help or for advice, nothing to base your ideas on... it's just all up to you. And when you need to do something on your own with no help, it's frustrating. It's confusing. At times it's depressing. And you feel all of these things because, along the way, you go through many challenges, lessons learned, mistakes, and maybe even some regrets. And believe me, you will want to quit, and you will probably cry.
And I still feel all of these things today. Whether it's during my full-time job, where I work with very experienced professionals who have been working in the criminal legal system for years within very large agencies; whether it was while completing my graduate program at an Ivy League, where practically everyone was the 4th or 5th generation getting a college/grad degree and had a family with access to money and resources; or while doing this small business every day, where I compare myself to brands and companies that have either been in the game for years or who had investors or family members contribute to it.
It is not easy being the first. And unfortunately we - us strong Latinas and Latinxs who wish to create a different life for ourselves and our families - will have to navigate through these different emotions because we will be the first for many, many things. But I do want you to know that when you get those feelings of self-doubt, and when you get that urge to call it quits, don't. You will scream, will cry, you will probably cry again - but if you want it, you can do it. I believe in you, and there's probably a lot of other people that do, too. But most importantly, I hope you believe in yourself, Mujer. You are powerful, strong, and fearless. And I hope you use that fire in your soul, your chingona energy, and your ancestors' blessings to keep moving forward every day. One step at a time. So whenever you get overwhelmed, take a step back and breathe. Remind yourself that you got this. You will succeed.
Keep dreaming BIG, Mija.
Stay Blessed,
Savy
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