**Investigating Imposter Syndrome: “Worthy in Reverse”**

Imposter syndrome quietly weighs down numerous professionals, including doctors. Regardless of their unwavering dedication to patients and teams, self-doubt frequently looms over their successes. To confront this, I’ve created a reverse poem called “Worthy in Reverse,” drawing inspiration from Chanie Gorkin’s piece, “Worst Day Ever?”, to shed light on how self-talk influences internal experiences.

The poem’s bifold structure encapsulates two opposing self-views. When read from top to bottom, it expresses self-doubt; when read from bottom to top, it evolves into self-worth. This arrangement reflects cognitive behavioral therapy principles, highlighting the significant effect of internal narratives on our feelings.

Responses from readers indicate the poem’s practical applicability. Some describe the downward reading as a plunge into uncertainty, while the upward reading offers an uplifting rise into self-worth. This shift in viewpoint fosters acknowledgment and transformation of self-dialogue.

For example, a pediatrician writes the poem in reverse in her journal as a daily affirmation of her worth. Similarly, a healthcare executive displays it in his office, symbolizing the coexistence of doubt and value. These observations illustrate the emotional resonance and transformative capability of the poem.

Here’s “Worthy in Reverse” for anyone aiming to alter their inner dialogue:

**I am an imposter**
And don’t try to persuade me that
I deserve to be here
Because, upon closer examination,
The workplace is quite competitive
Even if
People say I’m the right fit
I will be exposed as a fraud
And it’s not true that
I am enough
Because
Success can be attained
Only if I work twice as hard or get lucky
It’s not true that my value exists
I’m sure you can concur that
The reality
Shapes
My perspective
I don’t belong
And you’ll never in a million years hear me say
**I am worthy**

*Now read from the bottom up.*

**About the Author:**
[Mary Remón](https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryremon/), a counselor and certified coach, crafted this reflective tool to foster self-awareness and promote a transition toward self-worth.