Work Trauma and How You Can Overcome It
I’ve spoken with hundreds of women dealing with issues like low confidence, imposter syndrome, self-doubt and performance anxiety when it comes to their professional lives. While many of these emotions can stem from childhood, many of my clients developed them from unhealthy work situations. I call this “work trauma.” And I don’t use the term lightly. I’ve seen brilliant, beautiful, vibrant women dim their own light because someone they trusted and looked to for guidance and mentorship told them they were less than worthy.
In order to get the success that is coming to you, you have to remove the voice that says you don’t deserve it.
How to Identify Work Trauma
Trauma in the professional workplace can stem from several sources; bad or abusive management, untrustworthy colleagues and even awful clients. People have been put down, discouraged and even yelled at by people in their professional community. Experiences like this, whether macro or micro, can stick with you forever if you don’t heal.
One of the best ways to identify work trauma is to journal. I recommend keeping a journal just for work. Be honest and get uncomfortable listing your fears and insecurities. And write down the first time you remember feeling those emotions at work. It can help you find the root cause of your burden, and release it.
How to Heal from Work Trauma
The first step is acknowledging that this person or people don’t matter. They don’t have your best interest in mind, therefore they’re not your people. You then have to remove that power they have over you. You should question whether or not your positive view of them is undue. Next, take the space with all those negative ideas about you and replace them with true, positive statements about you. Do this however you like but I suggest saying one to three positive things about yourself daily, out loud and in the mirror if you can. Establishing a habit and practice of self-praise will take you far.
Lastly, get support. A community of colleagues or peers who know what you’re going through is a powerful tool. If you’re looking for deeper support, bringing it up to your therapist can also be helpful. And many people prefer career coaches to boost their confidence and results.
What Healing Feels Like
Confidence, baby! It’s liberating to shed those negative views and embrace what makes you special, powerful, and impactful. Once you heal, you’ll be capable of discerning whose opinion to keep and whose to throw away. You’ll be less dependent on outside validation. You’ll wake up excited for work because you know your value and you’re ready to bring it!
If you’re reading this and struggling with insecurities related to your professional presence, you’re definitely not alone and you can make change. Join my email list for free advice and invitations to live workshops. Interested in learning more about my coaching services? Apply here.