Former Bachelorette Katie Thurston Speaks on Imposter Syndrome

Katie Thurston was open and trustworthy in an emotional video posted to her Instagram on Saturday, October 19.

The Bachelorette season 17 star, who additionally went on to look in season 3 of FBoy Island, bought teary-eyed whereas discussing imposter syndrome and the “suffocating” emotions of doubt she’s skilled since gaining actuality TV fame.

“I’m gonna be very trustworthy with you guys, there are lots of moments the place I really feel virtually like imposter syndrome a bit bit,” Thurston, 33, started — instantly getting emotional. “I’ve been reflecting on the final 4 years. Your life adjustments if you undergo what I did, and it’s lots, and it may be virtually suffocating, and also you begin to sort of query like, do I deserve what I’ve? However oftentimes, I’m like, I wish to share issues about my life. And there’s so many instances once I assume that manner that I additionally then assume, like, ‘Katie, nobody cares. Nobody cares. What it’s a must to say.’ That’s like my very own internal battle of discovering my confidence once more.”

Thurston — who earned the hearts of Bachelor Nation after showing on Matt James’ season of The Bachelor earlier than getting engaged to now ex-fiancé Blake Moynes on her season — went on to say that she typically considers quitting social media altogether to keep away from hate that comes her manner. Nonetheless, she stated she stays due to the inspiring feedback she receives — significantly from others who spoke out after she shared her personal sexual assault story earlier this 12 months.

“The rationale I’m emotional proper now could be as a result of lots of you I’ve engaged with within the DMs on many alternative ranges,” she stated. “Tonight, there have been a number of DMs that I bought that sort of jogged my memory, like, why I’m right here. Generally you get a message that claims, ‘I reported my attacker since you impressed me to take action.’ And that’s not me tooting my very own horn — that individual is so courageous and deserves all of the credit score for doing that. It’s simply little moments like that that remind me that I belong right here, that I could make a constructive change. I can use my platform and my viewers for good and I can affect others in such a constructive manner.”

The stand-up comedienne, who’s now engaged to fellow funnyman Jeff Arcuri, additional admitted that she confronted “lots of self-doubt” after being concerned with The Bachelor franchise and surrounded by “probably the most lovely, coolest girls on the earth.” However she’s realized that evaluating herself to others isn’t wholesome — she simply needs to remain true to who she is and what she needs to be for her on-line neighborhood.

“I used to be simply taking a look at all my movies between 2020 and now, and it’s identical to, I’m so blessed,” she said, admitting she “overshares” typically. “I’m so blessed and so grateful for you guys and the alternatives I’ve had. And I simply don’t need it to go to waste, you realize? I wish to preserve going. I simply wish to preserve going and doing what I like and connecting with individuals. I like connecting with individuals.”

She ended her publish by saying she’s going to proceed “to work on [her] confidence and share components of [her] life” with followers and followers.

“I wish to be very trustworthy with you guys,” she concluded.

Thurston has all the time been open on social media, sharing sex-positive posts in addition to different messages of positivity. She just lately earned lots of reward for coming ahead about her rape case, which she misplaced in August.

“At this time I used to be in San Diego to fulfill with the District Legal professional who was assigned to my case. And formally, that chapter is closed for good,” Thurston wrote through her Instagram Story on Monday, August 12. “This week has been extraordinarily arduous and I’m so blessed with an incredible assist system each in individual and on-line … I’m able to course of all the things, grieve and heal.”

Again in June, Thurston expressed her perception that the justice system failed her after she reported her alleged assault.

“I did all the things I ought to have carried out as a sufferer of rape,” she wrote through Instagram on June 29. “‘Listed below are my texts, my calls, my photographs, my movies, names, witnesses, areas, social media, time stamps, surveillance footage, DNA, my physique.’ The warning ‘a responsible verdict is difficult in felony court docket’ echoed all through the months, like an annoying parrot you had been pressured to maintain. And as a lot as I heard it, I nonetheless wasn’t able to be stopped. And but, with out warning, I used to be.”

Thurston continued, “The justice system failed me and continues to fail hundreds each single day. However don’t hand over.”

Lots of her followers rallied behind her within the feedback of her publish about imposter syndrome, saying they admire her “emotional intelligence and power.”

“We care what it’s a must to say Katie,” one commenter wrote, “You may have all the time saved it so actual.”