You Are Not an Imposter

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Unlock Your True Potential So You Can Thrive in Life

Non-Fiction - Memoir
184 Pages
Reviewed on 02/15/2023
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Author Biography

Coline Monsarrat is passionate about helping others overcome obstacles and fostering self-awareness for personal growth.

Born with a genetic disease, she has faced her fair share of challenges, which have shaped her perspective on thriving. Determined to empower others, she wrote her book as a guide to understanding the barriers that hinder personal progress. Through her work, Coline emphasizes the importance of self-awareness as a catalyst for growth.

With a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Louisiana at Monroe, Coline initially pursued a career in the global luxury perfume industry. However, her longing for a more meaningful vocation led her to embark on a journey to make a positive impact on young minds.

Currently residing in Lisbon, Coline dedicates herself to writing the next exciting adventure in her middle-grade book series, Aria & Liam. Launched in 2022, this series has captured the hearts of young readers, providing them with relatable characters and thought-provoking storytelling.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Grace Ruhara for Readers' Favorite

Social media is one of the triggers of imposter syndrome. It brainwashes users into becoming perfectionists which is a far cry from reality. This causes depression which leads people to view themselves as a failure until they finally end up doubting their abilities and achievements and become people pleasers. Other triggers such as societal roles and experiences that we go through have contributed to imposter syndrome. How would you proceed if you discovered you had this syndrome? You Are Not an Imposter by Coline Monsarrat offers tips on how to regain complete confidence, stop being a people pleaser, and accept yourself as you are, alongside short stories of her experiences having suffered from imposter syndrome. Monsarrat has had to struggle with the syndrome for decades and it nearly cost her her life. She now inspires others who are going through the same thing after successfully overcoming it.

What I liked about Coline Monsarrat's You Are Not an Imposter is the use of short stories reflecting her personal experiences as a victim suffering from imposter syndrome. Her one-of-a-kind experiences lend her work a realistic feel and make it believable and relatable. It helped me to connect with her as I could resonate with her feelings, thoughts, and emotions. I could feel how passionate she is in relaying her experiences to create awareness and keep our attention. The inclusion of citations to other researchers' and authors' work throughout the book is evidence the author took time to do thorough research in providing reliable data for those wanting to do further reading. By citing other people's work, she proves herself as a noble and selfless person full of love and goodwill toward others. I recommend this book to readers facing imposter syndrome to help them accept who they are.

Iza Grek

Providing a deep discussion on imposter syndrome and what I like to call a crisis of confidence, You Are Not an Imposter by Coline Monsarrat is a personal account of how the author came to have an embedded sense of imposter syndrome. Her first inkling of the need to please was established at a young age when Coline herself perceived her mother to believe that she was lying. From this point on she developed a people-pleasing personality at the cost of her happiness. Much of Coline Monsarrat’s philosophy evolves from her pancreatic condition which meant she has to confront medical challenges for much of her life. Her survival is a demonstration of the many factors she overcame to deal with imposter syndrome head-on. She calls this grit.

While the author provides an easy-to-read text, it is quite academic in the sense that it is a how-to guide for the psychological condition under discussion. In doing this, Coline Monsarrat quotes many authors and experts in the field of psychology with Marisa Peer as one of her strongest influences. She talks about movies of the mind, the perennial self-talk that people experience, and states that the subconscious mind controls behavior. She also discusses the pitfalls of negativity bias and shuns the quest for perfection. In most cases, her advice is tied to her own experiences and extrapolated for the general human condition that we all experience. You Are Not an Imposter: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome is an interesting read for people interested in self-development or those wanting a bird’s-eye view of human psychology.

Marie-Hélène Fasquel

You Are Not an Imposter: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome by Coline Monsarrat is a guidebook for those who suffer from imposter syndrome - despite their accomplishments. Based on the author's personal experience and hardships due to her false and negative beliefs about herself, the book aims to help readers avoid making the same mistakes and enjoy life to the fullest. Coline shares a fabulous guide for those of us who suffer from imposter syndrome regardless of our endeavors and achievements. As a therapist and coach, Monsarrat shares her wealth of knowledge and experience to help readers overcome this syndrome. The book covers the importance of self-compassion and self-care in overcoming it, encouraging readers to be kind to themselves and understand the need to focus on their strengths and accomplishments rather than perceived flaws.

You Are Not an Imposter by Coline Monsarrat is beautifully written and easy to read. It is divided into chapters that cover different aspects of imposter syndrome, such as its causes, symptoms, and how it can affect different areas of life. The author includes personal anecdotes that make the book so valuable and relatable, and case studies that illustrate the concepts she is helping us grasp. One of the most valuable things about this book is that it offers practical tips and strategies to help us overcome this condition. To a certain extent, I guess we all doubt ourselves, which is why this book is essential reading. I thank the author for sharing her wisdom with us and warmly recommend this guide.