I am adding this "note" because it was pointed out to me that this piece might be helpful for students, like myself, who suffer from academic anxiety. These are affirmations I wrote for myself as I began to doubt my work. It's so easy for Indigenous students to get caught up in the need for perfection because we are so often told that we speak for our communities. These affirmations helped meet my deadlines for this project and I believe they will continue to help as I continue this work.
YOUR WORK IS IMPORTANT
YOUR EXPERIENCES ARE VALID
YOU AREN’T SPEAKING FOR EVERYONE
YOUR ARE TELLING A STORY
YOU HAVE DONE THE RESEARCH
THIS PROJECT IS ONGOING
NOT EVERYONE WILL AGGREE, BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN YOUR OPINIONS DONT MATTER
BE OPEN TO CRITIQUE
DON'T LET FEAR OF IMPERFECTION KEEP YOU FROM WORKING