- You Are not an imposter
“OPTIMISM fuels our PERSEVERANCE, GRATITUDE nurtures our COMPASSION, and LEARNING propels our growth.
Embrace all of these values, and you will find the strength to THRIVE in any situation.”
"Helping fellow 'involuntary chronic condition subscribers' turn lemons into lemonade and thrive in their lives, despite the chronic illness hiccups."
My mission is about empowering individuals who have been diagnosed with a chronic illness to find the strength and resilience to thrive in their lives. The idea is that a chronic illness diagnosis should not be seen as the end of one’s life, but rather as an opportunity to grow and overcome adversity. I believe having a positive attitude and seeing the humor in challenging situations is important to overcome its challenges.
The use of the phrase “involuntary chronic condition subscriber” is a lighthearted way of saying that no one chooses to have a chronic illness, but with the right mindset and support, it doesn’t have to be a death sentence.
My goal is to help individuals turn their diagnoses into something positive and to help them thrive despite the challenges they may face.
What I value in life
Optimism
Optimism is a powerful value that can change the way we see the world and our place in it. It’s the belief that things will get better, that the future holds endless possibilities, and that with hard work and determination, we can achieve our dreams.
An optimistic outlook allows us to look at challenges as opportunities to grow and learn, rather than as setbacks. It gives us the courage to take risks and the resilience to bounce back from failures. It helps us to keep going even when the going gets tough, knowing that things will eventually improve.
Perseverance
Perseverance is a valuable trait that can help us achieve our goals and overcome obstacles in life. It means having the determination and resilience to keep going, even in the face of adversity. By persevering, we challenge ourselves to grow and become stronger. It’s important to remember that difficulties and setbacks are a natural part of life, and that true success comes from the ability to persevere through them and learn from the lessons these challenges teach us. With a steadfast attitude, we can push through the most trying of times and come out on the other side stronger and better for it.
Gratitude
Gratitude is an important value that can help us appreciate what we have and find positivity in our lives. As humans, we tend to focus on the things we lack or lose, often neglecting the abundance we possess, thinking it is merely ordinary. Gratitude allows us to shift our perspective and focus on the good things, helping us to avoid dwelling on the negative aspects. Recognizing and expressing gratitude can bring contentment and happiness, even in the face of difficult situations. While it’s natural to experience sadness or anger when life seems unfair, practicing gratitude can lead us to find balance and acceptance amidst adversity.
Compassion
Compassion is a value that I hold dear. It means understanding that everyone has their own set of experiences and struggles that shape their actions and behaviors. By taking the time to try and understand where someone is coming from, it becomes easier to empathize with them and treat them with kindness and understanding.
This is important because it helps to create a more compassionate and understanding world, where people are able to connect with and support one another, despite their differences. By embracing compassion, we can work towards a more peaceful and harmonious society.
Learning
Learning is one of my core values as it allows for continuous growth and development. I firmly believe that if we stop learning, we start living a stagnant existence.
Challenging our beliefs and staying open to the idea that we might be wrong is crucial for personal growth. To me, failure is not the absence of success, but the failure to learn from our mistakes and experiences. I am committed to a lifelong pursuit of learning, as it is the key to unlocking new opportunities and reaching our full potential.
BIOGRAPHY OF AN UNVOLUNTARY CHRONIC CONDITION SUBSCRIBER
Coline's Official Bio
Coline Monsarrat is the author of “You Are Not an Imposter” – a book that tells the tale of how imposter syndrome almost cost her her life in 2020 and what she did to overcome it.
Born with a chronic illness, Coline has faced her fair share of challenges, but instead of wallowing in self-pity, she’s turned those lemons into lemonade (or a book, in this case). She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. But, after spending years working in the global luxury perfume industry, she’s decided to pursue a career that brings more meaning to her life: making kids dream.
Currently residing in the beautiful city of Lisbon, where she’s busy penning the next adventure of Aria & Liam- a middle-grade book series she launched in 2022.