I Feel A Sense Of Emptiness Everytime I’m Celebrated – Bisi Alimi

Popular Gay activist, Bisi Alimi has come out to share his struggles with imposter syndrome.

Recall that he recently attended the Attitude Magazine Award event this week, where he was one of the award winners.

Reacting, after every achievement he gets celebrated for, he constantly finds himself feeling a sense of emptiness and defeat.

Bisi added that he even had to start telling myself 10 reasons why he deserves the award as a form of reassurance.

His words, “Imposter syndrome 0 vs Bisi Alimi 1

Leading up to the @attitudemag awards event, I was really struggling massively with
Imposter syndrome.

I read up a lot on the “success downer” syndrome, something that I struggle with.

After every achievement, I always have a sense of emptiness and defeat and I just didn’t want to feel it this time.

All through the day, I kept telling myself 10 reasons why I deserve this award, why this is important to me and why I should cherish every moment.

I didn’t write a speech cos I think I might sound fake, but I am grateful to my husband who just kept me grounded even when he had no idea what was going on in my head.

How do you deal with imposter syndrome during a very important moment in your life?”

WOW.

Bisi Alimi (born Ademola Iyandade Ojo Kazeem Alimi, 17 January 1975) is a British-Nigerian gay rights activist, public speaker, blog writer and HIV/LGBT advocate who gained international attention when he became the first Nigerian to come out on television.

Alimi was born in the Mushin district of Lagos to father Raski Ipadeola Balogun Alimi (a Nigerian police officer) and Mother Idiatu Alake Alimi (a university clerk). Alimi was raised in Lagos, where he attended primary and secondary school. He was the third in a family of five children from his mother, and sixth from a family of ten children from his father. He later changed his name to Adebisi Alimi.

Bisi attended Eko Boys’ High School in Lagos, and graduated in 1993. He led his school cultural dances, both at primary and secondary school, to many awards and honours.

He was a member of his secondary school literary and debating society and a Social Prefect (in charge of organizing social activities) in his senior year. Also, in 1993.