I’ve always been on the go. I thrive on activity, laughter and being around people. If there’s something happening, I’m probably in the middle of it or accidentally running it. Like many of you, I work hard for what I want, and I’m fairly confident I’ve earned it.

Still, there’s that little voice – imposter syndrome – that whispers that maybe I don’t belong here. It’s sneaky. One minute you’re almost proud of yourself, and the next you’re convinced everyone in the room somehow “thinks” you weren’t supposed to be there. In my role as student body president, I’ve had moments where the office feels staged, the job feels temporary, and I wonder if people consider me a diversity hire. I know how hard I’ve worked to get here, but somehow, I still question it.

But let’s be honest: that voice lies. You’ve earned your spot. You belong here.

The problem is, imposter syndrome doesn’t go away easily. It grows stronger in a world where everyone’s trying to look perfectly busy and aesthetically pleasing. We’re all hustling, multitasking, and pretending to be fine while checking Wiki How and TikTok for “how to feel confident.” Silence feels weird. Stillness feels incorrect. And doing nothing makes you feel like a failure.

We’ve forgotten how to just be, and now we yearn for a time with porch swings, Kool-Aid and record players. And when you forget how to be, you start to fear who you are.

Here’s what I’m learning and believe me, I’m still learning this: God didn’t make a mistake putting you where you are. At 12, I felt out of place living in the states. At 21, I still feel that way sometimes. You’d think imposter syndrome would’ve packed up and left by now, but apparently, it’s signed a multiyear lease.

So, here’s the advice I’m trying to live by (and maybe you’ll join me in the challenge):

1. Master the art of doing nothing.

Seriously. Put your phone down, close your laptop and stare at the ceiling for a while. This is incredibly difficult because there is always something to do. Start by reading something creative on the phone if you can’t put it down, instead of doomscrolling. It’s weird at first, but eventually, your brain stops screaming. Doing nothing isn’t lazy; it’s how you recharge and actually hear yourself think.

2. You are on time.

Contrary to popular belief, you’re not behind. Just because you’re not in the dream relationship or know what you’re going to do with your life right this second doesn’t mean you’re missing out. You’re right on schedule. God’s schedule, not society’s, and the gag is He definitely has a better Google Calendar than we do.

3. Allow yourself to be yourself.

You don’t need to sound like her, dress like him, or have their five-year plan. There’s already enough copy-paste energy in the world. Be the real, raw, funny, slightly chaotic version of you because that’s the one people actually need.

I’m still working on this; slowing down, trusting, and being myself without apology. But maybe that’s the point. Maybe we’re all just works in progress learning how to rest without guilt and believe without proof. That is also what faith is all about.

So the next time that voice in your head says you don’t belong, remind it: you’ve already been called to this season, equipped for the work and empowered by Christ. You don’t have to prove your worth every day. Sometimes you just have to be still and know that God is God.

And if you catch yourself doing absolutely nothing this week, congratulations, you’re right on time.