When you hear about imposter syndrome, what’s the first thought that comes to your mind?

For many, this syndrome is something most don’t understand and most people deal with throughout their life.  Imposter Syndrome is a unique condition that was first discovered in the 1970’s by a multiple number of psychologists. It can be defined as a collection of feelings of inadequacy that persist despite evident success. Imposters suffer from chronic self-doubt, feelings undeserving of their accomplishments and at times, feel like a fraud. 

You would be surprised to know that many celebrities suffer from this syndrome including Meryl Streep, Emma Watson and even Ryan Reynolds.

Despite being in the spotlight, people all around us and in our workplaces may be struggling with the same thing. Imposter Syndrome can hold you back from reaching your full potential, can completely lower your confidence and can put you in a depressive state.
 
So, what are the signs?
Remember the signs are different for everyone, but these are some of the most common ones.

• Extreme lack of self confidence
• Feelings of inadequacy
• Constant comparison to other people
• Anxiety
• Self doubt
• Distrust in one’s own intuition and capabilities
• Negative self-talk
• Dwelling on the past
• Irrational fears of the future

 
If you have any of these things, guess what? You’re human. Even though the term Imposter Syndrome may sound daunting and scary, studies show that 70 per cent of individuals will experience Imposter Syndrome once in their lifetime and it’s more common than you’d think. 

So, the question now is, how do I overcome something that feels impossible to overcome?
To be honest, we don’t even have the perfect answer for this but there are some things you can do to eliminate the feelings and thoughts generated around this syndrome.

1. Remember that success is subjective.
2. Set your boundaries around individuals that may increase your feelings about your success and growth.
3. Constantly check in on your mental health if you’re feeling overwhelmed remember that you’re human and someone out there right now is feeling the same way.
4. Lastly, turn it around and see the gift and potential your Imposter Syndrome has to offer. Having it will keep you be humble and grateful in every opportunity that arises in your life. It will allow you to be more thankful for your wins, rather than selfish and egocentric about them. When Imposter Syndrome shows up, the best thing to do is acknowledge those feelings and work through that fuel of self-doubt.

 
For more information on Imposter Syndrome, check out https://www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion/recognizing-the-reality-of-imposter-syndrome/270562

 
 

So you want to start a skincare routine, but you have some questions. Which product is best for my fact? What should I cut out of my diet to make sure my skin is healthier? Trust me, we had the same questions and we have definitely had our far share of failures when it comes to skin. 

So where do you start, 

1. Cleanse
This one is simple but so important in your skin care routine. The type of cleanser is so important in your beauty routine then you think, a simple and gentle face wash is the way to go. 

2. Vitamin C
Now we're not talking about the chewable tablets, skin experts often tout Vitamin C as one of the most beneficial ingredients to add to a simple, everyday skin-care routine. Available at most beauty shops, purchasing a Vitamin C Serum can benefit your skin and all around health. These serums are typically used for their antioxidant and anti-aging properties. Vitamin C serum benefits often include leaving skin with a brighter, more radiant appearance.

3. Moisturizer 
After you've treated your skin, its time to moisturize. Moisturizer is used to keep your skin looking healthy and hydrated and helps strengthen your skin barriers.

4. Water
This routine is so easy but we never remember to apply it! Remember to always stay hydrated. Not only does it help improve your overall health but it helps keep your skin glowing and hydrated. 

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Certain voices are immediately recognizable right when you hear them. The smooth voice of Morgan Freeman, Michael Jackson’s soft but powerful voice, Mariah Carey’s whistling and vocal range. For Windsor, one of these recognizable and iconic voices airs on AM800 CKLW every single day.
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Dan MacDonald, host of The Dan MacDonald Show on AM800, has quite the lengthy resume. From writing for different newspapers, to becoming a radio personality for 93.9 The River and now AM800, MacDonald's talents go above and beyond.

“I started working at 93.9 The River in 2007,” MacDonald shared. “It was very much the right place at the right time, I was in the building already off-air working as a copywriter for 89X, AM800, AM580 and I was even writing some album and live show reviews for the blog on 93.9 The River.”
MacDonald explained that when the position came up for an announcer, he didn’t think he had a chance at all.

“That’s just because I had that little voice of self doubt that’s been in my head since I can remember,” MacDonald said. “It’s important we tell the little voice to shut up sometimes and go with our gut.”
MacDonald was asked by the program director at the time to create a demo tape and three days after, was offered the position.

“It’s been a fun and challenging surreal roller coaster ride ever since,” MacDonald said.  “But the lesson I learned is to not doubt yourself. Believe in yourself and just be you. The things you may perceive as weakness, others often view as your strength, as your individuality.”
Currently MacDonald is the host of The Dan MacDonald Show on AM800.

“My favourite thing about being on the radio is talking to people and getting a different perspective on things,” MacDonald shared. “I think we are far too divided these days and it seems that if anybody has a different opinion than us, we immediately peg them as enemies, and it shouldn’t be that way.”

MacDonald explained that inclusivity is important.

“I love the conversations; I love the interaction and I love that it’s absolutely different every day. It keeps me on my toes, and I learn something as well.”

Defining himself as a music junkie, MacDonald shared that music allows him a soundtrack to his emotions.

“It can elevate my mood. It can make me think. I can put things into perspective,” MacDonald said. “Music has always been medicine for me. I don’t like a quiet house, so there is always music playing here. It has been this way for as long as I can remember.”

Since he was a kid, music has always just spoke to him.

“My parents will even say when I was a kid, I took a liking to music immediately,” MacDonald explained. “I had all the records that all the kids my age had, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Prince, but I really dove head first into my parent’s record collection and discovered lots of music from the 60's and 70's that was very emotional, very politically charged and it set my musical taste for the rest of my life. “
Currently, The Dan MacDonald Show on AM800 is weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon.  
 
 

If you’ve ever been the victim of gaslighting, a form of manipulation that causes one to question their own sanity, then you know how traumatic an experience it can be. Compound that with a global pandemic which, as of today, has killed over 200,000 Americans and almost 1 million people worldwide, and you wonder how anyone can doubt the severity of it.


But people do, and their insistence that COVID-19 is not a real threat, but a government conspiracy blown out of proportion to control citizens, is not only frustrating, but incredibly dangerous. For those of us who acknowledge the dangers of COVID, watching people continue to throw large weddings, host family gatherings with vulnerable people, and go on impromptu vacations without any sort of cautionary measures, can make one feel like we’re living in an alternate universe, separate from the one where these “post-COVID” events are taking place.


It's an extreme sense of cognitive dissonance, to see articles updating the COVID death toll, immediately followed by photos of unmasked acquaintances and their fifty closest friends celebrating a bachelorette party because, “Quarantine won’t kill our vibe.” The selfishness of people who insist on going back to normal when the world is anything but, is evident, and it makes those who are continuing to practice safety measures feel like our efforts and sacrifices are all for naught. Moreover, it makes us feel trapped in some form of the Upside Down, wondering, “Does everyone else still realize we’re in a deadly pandemic, or is that just me?”


Caution fatigue is real, but we can’t just stop taking the proper precautions because we’re tired of it. Or we got bored. Or we just want to go back to normal already. As we learn more about the virus, we discover more ways in which we can adapt our wants for a return to normalcy with the safety measures needed to protect everyone. It’s a give and take. If you want to get coffee with your friend, wear a mask. If you want to go on vacation, drive instead of fly, and try camping instead of a hotel.

If you want to have your wedding, do it outside, cover your faces, and for the love of god, keep it small. But don’t just pretend that things are back to normal because you want them to be. We all want them to be. And please stop saying that you don’t need to be cautious because you’re not worried about yourself getting sick. Not only does that completely shirk responsibility for the harm you may cause to others, but just remember, according to the Center for Disease Control, approximately 6% of people who have died from COVID had no preexisting conditions (or “comorbidities”). To put that in context, that means approximately 12,000 “perfectly healthy” Americans still died.


I’m tired of feeling gaslit by those around me who have decided that the pandemic is over. I’m tired of questioning my sanity in believing that I’m being too cautious when the numbers prove we’re not being cautious enough. I want the pandemic to end just as much as the next person, but aborting precautions too soon will just make it last forever. So the next time you’re about to head out to that barbecue, or that football game, or that wedding, think about how you’ll do it safely, and please, turn off the gas on your way out the door.
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Having an identity is a funny thing. The way we see ourselves, the way others see us. The story we tell ourselves about who we are plays a role in our identity and what we are to this earth.

But sometimes we don’t always have a conscious awareness of who we really are. We can easily lose ourselves in our everyday lives and never come to the full realization that we disappeared from that identity we once associated ourselves with.

One morning you may wake up and not recognize the person standing in front of the mirror. This can happen gradually or day by day, you will start to feel yourself growing more distant from the person you used to be.

You may lose complete interest in the things that you once loved, or you might find yourself utilizing what others love just to fill a void. You may find yourself becoming more fearful of normal everyday activities or you may find yourself wanting to jump into things that you would never actually do.

And let’s be honest, you may have these highs and these lows throughout your life. Sometimes when you lose your identity, you lose the ability to see beyond your pain.

​You are here but you’re floating through life, it’s basically like your body packed up and moved on but never warned your mind about it.

Here’s where the confusing part comes in, sometimes losing yourself is what truly helps you find yourself. Especially in your 20’s, finding a comfort and love for yourself will always be an uphill battle but going through a period of losing yourself can help you see things in a different light.

If you’re lost at sea, just remember there is always a shore you can swim to that can save you. You may not get there right away, but I promise you will get there in time.

Time allows us a moment to step back and heal. It won’t happen right away, but you will get back to your real self in no time.