Oasis EQ

17/02/2026

Change only happens when a client is ready for it. No matter how many times a therapist offers guidance, nothing will change until the client is ready.

That’s why we don’t tell clients what to do or decide what’s right or wrong for them. Our role is to hold up the mirror so they can see their own reality and discover their own answers. We’re there to help clear the mirror, so their reflection becomes clearer and their path forward more visible.

09/02/2026

Offered promotion? Successfully completed a project? Got a positive feedback? Finished and published a book?

You work hard and achieve something impressive, something that felt impossible before. Yet you feel like you do not truly deserve it? And you will soon be ‘found out’.

Imposter syndrome steals the enjoyment from achievements. It makes you constantly doubt your own abilities despite clear evidence of success. People experiencing it often attribute their accomplishments to luck, timing or fooling others rather than to their own skills and hard work.

These feelings lead to anxiety, overworking to prove worth and/or avoiding new opportunities altogether.

The phenomenon affects professionals across various fields far more than many realise. Recent studies show that up to 70% of people experience imposter syndrome at some point in their lives.

In high-achieving environments, such as healthcare, academia, technology, marketing and leadership roles, the figures climb even higher.

It foesnt discriminate by gender, experience level, industry (although some industries are affected more), touching everyone from early-career professionals to senior executives.

The good news is that imposter syndrome is not a reflection of actual competence. It is a common cognitive distortion that can be understood and managed effectively. Recognising the different ways it shows up is a powerful first step towards overcoming it.

If these feelings sound familiar, you are certainly not alone and there are practical strategies deal with the anxiety.

If you are ready to dive deeper and learn proven tools to tackle imposter syndrome head-on, my interactive workshops offer exactly that.

Next training day is on 16 February. Register on the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce website here https://www.agcc.co.uk/courses/overcoming-imposter-syndrome-and-building-confidence-16-02-2026

Learn practical frameworks, real-world examples and actionable steps to help you stop second-guessing your success. Drop a comment or send me a message to find out more about booking a spot!

20/01/2026

15/01/2026

It only affects women… or does it?

A major systematic review reported that imposter syndrome is common ‘among both men and women and across a range of age groups.’

When researchers looked specifically at gender, some studies showed higher rates in women, others found no difference at all. The only thing that is clear is that men are not immune to imposter feelings.

Women often say, ‘I’m just waiting to be found out, I don’t belong here.’

Men tend to frame it as, ‘I’ve got to keep proving I’m the strongest performer, or they’ll see I’m not up to it.’

Both are imposter thoughts at work, just dressed in different ways.

What does imposter syndrome sound like in your world? Drop a comment if this resonates.

03/01/2026

(on 2025)
At the start of 2025, if you’d shown me this list, I would have said it was a plan for three years, not one.

Here’s what actually happened:

In my business:
· I rebranded from Nara Morrison Therapy to Oasis EQ, step to include workshops and talks on imposter syndrome, stress, burnout, and more. I was invited to organisations to run workshops and talk on these topics. Some of them included Robert Gordon University, University of Aberdeen, EY Aberdeen, Fountainhall church.
- I joined a team of trainers at the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce
- I attended the ACCU Conference in Bristol as a safety and inclusion lead, a place I met so many wonderful people and learned a lot too!
- I was invited to podcasts where we had deep discussions related to imposter syndrome, wellbeing and even AI, a new area of interest of mine
- I joined/attended many networking groups/events including KLT Networking Business Network Scotland IoD Aberdeen & Grampian Branch

Working with GREC (Grampian Regional Equality Council)
- we moved offices.
- together with partners delivered a number of information sessions and workshops to refugee groups to support and empower New Scots in their new lives in Scotland.
- As there is a real local lack of legal professionals, partnered with JustRight Scotland to deliver VITAL information for refugees and asylum seekers.

With my charity, BUTA Azerbaijan Scotland Association,
- we held our space with monthly community meetups
- threw a massive Novruz celebration at the Beach Ballroom
- secured funding and started building projects to share our heritage and support wellbeing (thank you CEMVO Scotland and ACVO TSI
- and preparation for the next March Novruz has begun

And personally,
- I turned 50.
- I celebrated 20 years in Scotland - indeed a great time for reflection
- I travelled for family holidays. But also to see a friend in Amsterdam
- I went home to Baku to visit family and friends. The events turned in a way that I visited my first university (I graduated from 4!), Azerbaijan state University of Languages and a fabulous reunion with my McDermott International, Ltd team.

I look back and feel proud. Yes, I was close to burnout. Twice. The price for a year this full is real. But I paused and regained the control. Not only I survived, I managed to overcome difficulties and thrive.

So, my advice from the other side is this
Listen to your body and act accordingly. It’s the non-negotiable maintenance required for meaningful work.

There is one more feeling I experience. It’s the disbelief. How did so much fit?

The only answer I have is that when you care about what you do, you find a way. And an absolutely important part of it all is support and community of amazing people. Leila, Pete, Louise, Linda, (and many more peppe!) I wouldn’t make it without you. And th biggest thank you goes to my incredible family.

Here’s to 2026. Watch this space. Great projects are coming

31/12/2025

2025 is nearly done.

I considered unpacking the year’s developments:

- launch and development of Oasis EQ through which I delivered talks and workshops on stress, imposter syndrome, belonging and more
- super meaningful work with refugees. Plus I have incredible colleagues at GREC (Grampian Regional Equality Council)
- BUTA Azerbaijan Scotland Association’s new projects for children and adults teaching language, dances and Azerbaijani heritage to the community of Azerbaijan in Aberdeen who are now lovingly called Aberbaijanis
- amazing support of the Impostor Syndrome Institute™ and Dr. Valerie Young

Plenty to revisit, from meaningful conversations on psychological safety and belonging to the profound support of my Azerbaijani community.

But deeper dives don’t feel right just now.

Salads are made, chicken is in the oven. Wonderful Azerbaijani plov is cooking along with beef and chestnut stew - a great New Year combination, followed by incredibale home bakes reminding childhood family gatherings, a tradition I’m trying to pass to my children.

Instead, I want to say THANK YOU to everyone in this network: your engagement nurtures real connection.

Special thanks for fabulous meetings and events with inspiring people.

Thank you to clients whose daily insights teach me endlessly.

Thank you to groups I worked with. Your honest, sometimes raw, transformative talks on what success means and what purpose is left me with many reflections of my own.

Thank you to those approaching me on streets recognising me and asking thoughtful questions, unexpected yet deeply pleasant knowing that conversations in the rooms resonated and stayed beyond those workshop times

If you read it all and reached this point, I’m wishing you a peace. The world free of conflict, both internal and external. The world full of calm both inner and outer.

Happy New Year to you all.

11/12/2025

Some takeaways from my interview with Business Backstage

10/12/2025

Important questions related to AI, workplace wellbeing, imposter syndrome, belonging were covered in this talk. I’ll post a link to the full interview soon

02/12/2025

Another workshop day. No, not one of those I deliver. This time I was there to learn.

But it wasn’t another CPD session. Instead I t was a deep and (at times) uncomfortable dive into how age is assessed for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in Scotland. And what happens when the system gets it wrong.

Listening to real life stories from lawyers, advocates, caseworkers, charities was sobering.

While some narratives in the media paint a seamless picture of support (and even luxury) for these young people, the reality is complex and challenging

And fragile

One age decision can mean the difference between
- a guardian and no guardian
- a social worker or none
- safer child-centred processes or fast-track adult systems

And not to forget very different chances of protection, education and long-term safety.

The revised Scottish Age Assessment Practice Guidance makes clear that there’s no scientific way to establish age (despite what media is trying to tell us). We need a professional judgment informed by a holistic, evidence-driven process. Snap decisions at borders can have catastrophic consequences

As someone who spends a lot of time talking about belonging, safety and being seen, I know it’s not the systems that it deliver dignity. It’s us, people who do it. So it’s in our power to create those the systems that will make these young people feel like they belong. Only this way we can end the division (so much supported by modern politicians) and build something better

Thank you to Francesca Sella from JustRight Scotland and Lauren Purkiss from British Red Cross for such powerful session. Good to have conversations about this with colleagues Flóra Kovács, Karina Vilca Emslie and others from GREC (Grampian Regional Equality Council) and Shiva Afraste from YAHYA's International Hub. Thank you to Iona Rennie from Shelter Scotland for organising the venue and to Aberdeen Foyer for hosting it.

27/11/2025

When we chose the topic for the latest British Psychological Society Hub event in Aberdeen to be assisted dying, we knew it was a big one. We had no doubt it would spark a discussion that will involve facts and emotions.

And it happened.

We often debate Assisted Dying as a legal concept, but what does it mean for the people? This is a conversation where profound personal suffering meets complex legal, moral and psychological realities.

I’m grateful Dr Sarah Sivers, LLB (Hons), PhD, Associate Dean for Research, School of Law and Social Sciences, Robert Gordon University and Dr Katrina Forbes-McKay MA (Hons), PhD, SFHEA, CPsychol, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, RGU.

Their dual perspectives made it clear that while law provides the essential structure, it is psychology, ethics, and compassion that give the process its meaning and humanity

A few takeaways that have stayed with me:

As Katrina highlighted, data shows this isn’t always about physical pain. The top reasons include serious psychological distress:
- Loss of Autonomy
- Inability to Enjoy Life
- Loss of Dignity
- feeling of being a burden

Interestingly, research shows that those working closer with people at the end of their lives (palliative care, geriatric medicine) oppose the Assisted dying bill more.

What’s more interesting, in countries this bill has become a law, this statistics flips and the opposite becomes the reality

Both speakers mentioned the ‘Slippery slope’, the ethical concern that a law for the terminally ill could erode to include other vulnerable groups.

Sarah offered a powerful reframe: The ‘slippery slope’ argument is met with the fact that ‘the law is a snow gate.’ So, robust, carefully written legislation with strict safeguards is designed not to enable a slide, but to prevent it.

This conversation is about compassion, choice and control. We should keep it going.

What are your thoughts?

26/11/2025

I’ve spoken in front of business owners, I’ve shared my knowledge with academics. I’ve worked with high level management teams. But children? This was a first. And confession: ive never been this nervous before!

But wow! What conversations!

The conversations at St Margaret's School for Girls were genuinely moving.

These young people asked insightful questions and listened to each other. Their openness around empathy, support and respect felt honest. The way they explored what it means to belong was meaningful.

These young people are going to inherit our community. Seeing how deeply they understand the meaning of belonging left me inspired.

My heart is singing knowing that the next generation values connection and belonging. NOT JUST FITTING IN.

I learned as much from their questions as from sharing my own experiences.

Grateful for what I learned with them and for the chance to witness their vision for tomorrow.

08/11/2025

What does it mean to belong when you are thousands of miles from home? How do communities shape us, heal us, and give us a place to stand in a world that can feel fragmented?

On 29 October I was honoured to participate at the Turkish National Day reception held at The University of Edinburgh.

Surrounded by diverse voices, I caught myself thinking that community is not just a gathering of people. It is that invisible thread that connects our stories, our hopes, our shared resilience.

As someone actively engaged in the Azerbaijani community, I know these moments of connection carry deep significance. They are regular confirmations that 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞, 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐬.

A special thanks to the Consulate General of the Republic of Turkiye for their warm hospitality, which transformed the evening into a true celebration of unity and hope.

What resonated most was the conversations about Atatürk’s lasting legacy as a symbol of unity, progress and forward-looking leadership that continues to inspire our communities.

We live in a world full of division. Having these gatherings offer a chance to remember that our strength lies in the communities, we should nurture them no matter where we live.

This weekend i feel gratitude and a renewed commitment to continue building bridges through shared initiatives and ongoing collaborations.

Who are the communities that hold you? How do they shape your journey?