Friday 24 July 2020

Imposter syndrome


This is for black women:


Do you disqualify yourself when you meet a love interest and all your insecurities flare-up? Especially if the insecurities are based on issues like colorism?



This happened recently and I immediately started coming up with AAAALLLLLL the reasons why he could never be into me. It's crazy to think that I grew up feeling ugly solely on the fact that I am dark skinned and concluded therefore that light skinned men should not and could not be into me!


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"I disqualified myself from a chance at love"





I was thinking “Nah I’m waayy out of HIS league and I’m probably not his type 😔” And then to affirm my negative thinking I browsed through his IG to see who he follows and NONE of the girls he follows look ANYWHERE near like me 😒 Why did I break my own heart like that? 


I was dissapointed but I was honestly just looking to affirm the fact that he's not into dark skinned women. I started seeing a trend with this every time someone genuinely showed interest. First it was if their followers were dark skinned women and then it was also if they were skinny or plump. SMH!



Now let’s be honest here. A lot of things we do is to affirm certain core beliefs. A therapist I used to see helped me understand one of my core beliefs is that I don’t believe I’m enough or not good enough. Not pretty enough. Not smart enough etc. So I actually tend to get into habits, situations or behavior to AFFIRM that core belief about myself. So browsing through his followers affirmed the belief that I must not be his type.



The bigger truth is that I don’t think I’m “enough” to be his type- skinny enough, light-skinned enough, pretty enough etc... So the question is, how do I hold my confidence in who I am as a direct descendant of my ancestors who were philosophers, scientists, mathematicians, poets, storytellers, healers.... and also with the reality that I may not be everyone’s cup of tea.



Maybe the answer is somewhere in the middle (in my Carrie Bradshaw voice). I’m a whole package but that doesn’t mean it’s for everyone. Him being attracted to other types of women doesn’t lessen my value; 




"My value is based on what I know to be true about me!"



I would love for us as black women to stop equating our worth based on the male approval.  I might explore how this dynamic plays out with black male approval later on.  



But even if he didn’t notice me, I’d still be a powerful black woman that makes magic happen wherever I go.



All to say, don’t disqualify yourself from a love interest just because you think you’re not his cup of tea. 



As long as YOU like the tea you're brewing, that's literally all that matters sis.


 


I hope you learn how to OWN YOUR AUTHENTICITY without male approval. Don't worry if you're his type, are you YOUR own type? And maybe after getting to know the person you might realize YOU'RE the one out of their league lol!



Anyway, I'll end my essay here...



How do you overcome self-disqualification? Comments are open.for black women only

Alors on Danse

Narrator: 

She snaps her fingers in unison to to the music and the bass drums.

He has been watching her from the sidelines. The way her hips sway, the smile on her lips, her animated facial expressions as she mouths the lyrics- she's lost in the music and her body translates into a language anyone can understand.

This dance class is more than he hoped it would be.

-----------------------------------

Darlene:

I can feel his eyes scanning my body. Does he think this is a free show? I snap out of my annoyance when the teacher says "From the top"

Then I glance in the mirror to see him still eyeing me. He quickly shifts his gaze. Its one thing to have an admirer and possibly put on a flirty show. Entirely different when they don't even have the courtesy to introduce themselves or smile. I was hella annoyed.


----------------------------------------------------

Jordan:

"Okay this part you will need a partner" the instructor says,

There is a scramble into positions and shuffling of feet. I beeline straight for her.

"Hi my name is Jordan. Please excuse my staring but honestly you're mesmerizing to watch. You get completely immersed. I'm tryna get to your level"

She releases a hearty peel of laughter and I can see that she's tickled at the idea of such a cute fan of her art.

------------------

Darlene:

I can feel my face heating up. Are we flirting right now?!! Is that what's happening? 


" Well thanks, you're not bad yourself" I retort.   At least he had the decency to finally introduce himself.


" This is a new years resolution so well see how long it lasts." He adds.


I smirk.


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Narrator:

He wasnt expecting to meet anyone who would pique his interest, but here he was, flirting up a storm like his life depended on it. He decided if she was around more often he would definitely come around more.

"im Darlene, nice to meet you and welcome to DanceLife" she extended her hand and gave him a firm handshake; this was no joke to her.

Their introduction is interrupted by the teacher

' Alright i want you to decide who will be the lead for this next dance number'



Imposter syndrome

This is for black women: Do you disqualify yourself when you meet a love interest and all your insecurities flare-up? Especially if the inse...