Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Elizabeth Cash. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Elizabeth, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
For the longest time, I didn’t even have the words to describe what I was feeling. The closest thing I could grasp was that I was a ‘fraud’, but that also didn’t feel quite true. Being a new, small business owner in the field of Health & Wellness, guiding people on their healing journeys and being a wellspring of advice for others while, in the shadows, I was dealing with my own mental health issues made me feel like a ‘fake’. It felt out of alignment to hold a role model’s position, but to be spiraling out of control behind the scenes. Even though I was successful on the outside and could clearly see the positive impact I was having with my clients, community, team and business at large, I secretly felt unqualified to carry out my work and was constantly doubting myself. I had a persistent internal conflict between my achievements and my own self-perception. I felt embarrassed to talk about it with anyone. I felt broken, and I didn’t understand why other people couldn’t see my brokenness. People complimented me and congratulated my achievements, but I couldn’t accept their words as the truth.
To paint the full picture, I was also a new mom navigating motherhood for the first time, dealing with postpartum anxiety and not getting nearly enough sleep. I had taken on way too much, way too fast without the proper support. I suddenly had two babies – my son and my business, and I felt like I had no idea what I was doing in either role!
In some ways, as a lifelong perfectionist, I was set up for the Imposter Syndrome pitfall. For me, if I wasn’t perfect, I wasn’t worthy. So you can imagine how imperfect AND unworthy I felt struggling with debilitating anxiety, overwhelm and self-destructive coping mechanisms while showing up everyday as a ‘shining’ example of what health and balance looked like. It felt like I was living a lie. It was incredibly difficult and confusing, and it made me question myself, my worth and my path. I did not feel qualified to guide people on a healing journey when I felt so unbalanced and unhealthy in my own life. But at the same time, my heart’s intentions with my clients were so pure, my love for my community was so strong and the success of my business was so clear – everything I’d always dreamed of was unfolding before my eyes. I knew in my heart that I was doing good work for the world. But despite that ‘knowing’, despite my good intentions and evident success, I remained plagued with fear, self-doubt and the belief that I was undeserving and unworthy. Even external validation did not alleviate these feelings.
When I first heard the term ‘Imposter Syndrome’, I knew this was exactly what I was feeling! It was comforting in a way to finally be able to name it and to know that I wasn’t alone.
I began to work with a therapist, addressing my anxiety and Imposter Syndrome. One day, my therapist mentioned that every coach/mental health therapist/counselor should also engage with their own mental health professional – that even mental health professionals are not immune to life’s stresses. She told me that she worked with a therapist herself. That really struck me! I held her in such high regard, and her sharing that with me only increased my respect for her. She rustled through a box of papers and pulled out a ‘permission slip’ – the kind you’d have to get signed by your parents to attend a school field trip. She had me fill it out. “I give myself permission to be imperfect” AND “maintain confidence and worthiness in my life and work”. That permission slip was the first step in believing that I could be healing myself while simultaneously showing up for others on their healing journeys. My therapist taught me that no matter our status, title or position, the practice of engaging with our mental health is an ongoing process and a journey that enriches our ability to support others. It was around this time that the shame associated with my Imposter Syndrome began to dismantle itself. I began to recognize that my feelings of inadequacy were not reflections of my reality, but misaligned perceptions of myself.
The process of self-growth is a continuous journey. We are allowed to be imperfect, to make mistakes, to fall down and to ask for help and guidance. And as long as we are authentic and focused on self-improvement, we are headed in the right direction. My mantra became: “progress not perfection”. My focus: authenticity and self-compassion. I allowed myself to celebrate my achievements even when self-doubt crept in. I connected with my imperfect human-ness. I learned to accept kind words and validation from others without letting the negative self-talk take over.
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome has been a transformative (albeit an ongoing) journey that has allowed me to show up more fully and authentically in my role. Acknowledging and moving past the constant feelings of self-doubt has given me the permission to embrace my imperfections and recognize the unique value I bring to my work. My personal growth has deepened my empathy and compassion, enabling me to connect with clients on a more profound level. Understanding my own struggles with Imposter Syndrome has also been helpful in guiding others through similar challenges.
This experience has illuminated the fact that I don’t need to be perfect to be a healing and guiding light. I believe that the truest inspiration I can offer others is through embracing and sharing my authenticity, my vulnerabilities and my story. My hope is that by sharing my story, there can be healing in that for others. Which brings me back full circle to why I am on this path in the first place: My intention is and always has been to facilitate healing in people so that they can live their best lives and create a positive ripple effect in this world. My personal struggles and triumphs, coupled with a commitment of honesty to myself and continuous self-improvement gives me the opportunity to offer more genuine support to my clients and community, staying true to my intention and purpose.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Hello! I’m Elizabeth Cash, and I’ve always dreamed of a community that is cared for, nourished and uplifted by one another. I love all things related to health, wellness and feeling your best! I opened the doors of my business, Cedar Walk Wellness Center (CWWC) In October of 2017. It had always been a dream of mine, and when an opportunity presented itself, I had to say YES! My intention was to create a space for people to access many types of holistic healing modalities. I believe that we are all seeking to improve ourselves and in need of healing as part of the human journey.
I’ve been in the wellness industry for two decades and working as a massage therapist since 2009. I’d seen first hand the profound impact that massage can have on a person, but I also know that everyone’s unique journey requires different types of support. Being only one person, I knew I needed a team of people to round out my idea for a holistic healing center with synergistic treatments for mind, body and spirit. I feel blessed to work alongside a team of professional wellness practitioners who are passionate about their work and helping others. The services that we offer include massage therapy, acupuncture, energy work, different types of mental health counseling and somatic psychotherapy, nutritional support, and meditation guidance/groups. We will soon be expanding to include chiropractic care, integral sound healing and additional modalities of bodywork. We also host seasonal outdoor wellness events and classes in our backyard green space.
Nestled in a quaint, historic neighborhood in downtown Hillsborough, NC, Cedar Walk Wellness beckons you to come inside, take a deep breath, get curious and explore different types of self-care, to nurture yourself, to rest and to heal.
I feel that it’s a miracle to be alive and a great honor to look after and care for myself. But it is a big job! As a person on a healing journey, I’ve found it can be exciting, exhausting, rewarding, tearful and joyful among other things. It requires support and guidance. That’s why it’s so important to have a safe, inclusive space to explore different healing techniques with kind, highly trained professionals who will truly care for you. That’s what you will find here at Cedar Walk Wellness Center.
Personally, some of my favorite things are gardening, being in nature, practicing yoga, exploring spirituality, traveling, new experiences and raising & loving my two sons.
I also love my work and feel like I have the best job in the world – people are always happy to arrive and feel even better when they leave. It’s very rewarding! I am blessed to be able to support clients towards a more healed and happy version of themselves. I am grateful to work alongside a team of people who are kind, intelligent and incredibly inspiring. Together, we are doing an important job of creating a positive ripple effect in the world, one client at a time!
“By nurturing the individual, we nurture the community.”
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
TAKE CARE OF YOU: The sentiment of “filling your own cup first” may sound cliche, but especially in the context of caring for others (whether that’s children/family members, clients in a wellness industry/healing profession, etc), its importance cannot be overstated! In the demanding field of caregiving, where emotional, physical and mental resources are constantly tapped, prioritizing your own wellbeing is crucial. So, fill yourself up with what fuels you most! Get your sleep, your exercise, your nutrition, drink your water, and engage in your self-care practices! This is the foundation of sustainable and impactful caregiving, allowing you to show up as the best, most energetic and compassionate version of yourself.
ASK FOR HELP: I think our culture really glorifies busy-ness and self-reliance, and it can be challenging to acknowledge our limits and seek assistance. However, I’ve found that asking for help is crucial in preventing (and helping with already existing) anxiety, imposter syndrome and burnout. When we try to handle everything alone, we stretch ourselves too thin, leading to increased stress and a sense of inadequacy. It took me nearly the first two years of being in business to recognize this in myself. Asking for help is a sign of strength and wisdom and will allow you to have a more sustainable and fulfilling professional life.
FOCUS ON GRATITUDE: Focusing on gratitude is a powerful tool for staying grounded in the present moment. In practicing gratitude, we shift our attention from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance. This perspective allows us to approach challenges with a sense of resourcefulness and resilience. In the context of my professional growth, gratitude helps me to recognize my progress and even appreciate my setbacks and challenges as opportunities for growth to get me where I am today. Whenever I lose sight of the bigger picture, I close my eyes, put a hand on my heart, a smile on my face and drop into gratitude. I am abundantly grateful for everything that has gotten to the here and now, even the low points and dark moments. I am grateful for the journey and learning more and more to trust the process along the way.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
Spending time in nature and doing Yoga are my go-to practices for stress and overwhelm. It’s safe to say that you’ll find me at my happiest practicing yoga in the great outdoors!
I find that connecting with the natural world helps me to stay present, grounded and grateful. Getting outside and connecting to the senses is incredibly therapeutic. One strategy I learned is the 5-4-3-2-1 method. It involves going into nature, finding stillness (either standing, seated or lying down) and identifying 5 things you can see, 4 things you can feel, 3 things you can hear, two things you can smell and one thing you can taste. The process of connecting with myself and with nature in that way brings me an immediate sense of calm and steadiness. Nature has so many gifts to offer!
Practicing yoga helps with overwhelm by calming my mind, centering my body and helping me connect to the present moment. I enjoy all forms of flowing with breath and movement (whether it’s walking, hiking, dancing, boxing, swimming, biking or running) but yoga asana really lights a flame within me and helps me connect with peace and unwavering presence. I have been practicing yoga for about 20 years. It has helped through so much! My ideal practice takes around 30-60 minutes and includes movement, breathwork, chanting and meditation. However, if I’m feeling overwhelmed and am short on time, doing one slow, intentional sun salutation or taking five deep, full breaths in child’s pose for example can make a huge difference. A little is better than none at all. The perfectionist in the ‘old’ me used to think everything had to be taken care of, cleaned, organized & perfect and only then could I roll out my mat to do no less than an hour of power yoga. And if I got interrupted…well…it was all ruined! I can laugh at that mindset now. As a small business owner and busy mom of two, my self-care practices have to be simple and attainable, or it’s not happening!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cedarwalkwellness.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cedarwalkwellness/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cedarwalkwellness
Image Credits
Chris Nieto
