Posted by Lieutenant Sheleah Ruby (Diplomatic Officer / CNS) in Battles of the Mind [tag Counselor]

Posted by Ensign Jhalae Ynuchausti (Acting Chief Engineer) in Battles of the Mind [tag Counselor]
The sounds of the engines seemed to taunt her, a constant reminder of the vast knowledge she still lacked as the ship’s chief engineer. Imposter syndrome, that insidious foe, had taken root in her mind, steadily gnawing at her self-confidence with each passing day.
One day, amidst her routine engineering duties, the anxiety that had been brewing reached a boiling point. Jhalae found her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn’t be sure at the moment but it felt as if it would break through her chest. Abandoning her tools, she quickly made her way through the ship’s corridors, her thoughts were all over the place.

She approached the counselor’s office, a place she never envisioned needing to visit again. Breathless she pounded on it relentlessly. “Counselor! Are you in? I need to talk to you!” Her voice echoed with a desperation she hadn’t anticipated, revealing the depth of her turmoil.

Ynuchausti, CE

When the pounding on the door began, Rex ears immediately perked. Shalaya was startled out of reviewing some notes she had taken earlier that day and immediately began wondering what all the noise was about. Certainly, somebody seemed to be in quite a bit of distress.

“Yes, yes come right in.”

Shall I stood up and began walking towards the door uncertain of what she would find but certain it needed to be found quickly.

• Sheleah, CNS/DO

Jhalae burst into the counselor’s office, her eyes wide with a mix of panic and vulnerability. “Counselor, by the feast of the three Orion moons I am so glad you are here! I… I can’t shake this feeling, like I’m not cut out for this. What I I can’t keep up the ship as the Chief Engineer? The ship, the engines, everything—it’s overwhelming. I don’t know how to silence the doubt. Help me, please,” she pleaded, her usual confidence shattered by the weight of her insecurities.

Ynuchausti, CE