Ever feel like you don’t belong? Like, any second now, someone’s going to point at you and go, “Who let them in here?” Yeah, me too. That sneaky little voice in your head that says you’re not good enough… that’s imposter syndrome—and spoiler alert: it’s lying to you. 

You’re not alone in this. It’s actually super common – 70% of people admit they’ve felt this way at some point, including people you probably admire. Maya Angelou worried people would figure out she wasn’t a “real” writer. Albert Einstein called himself an “involuntary swindler.” If literal geniuses have dealt with this, I think it’s safe to say we’re in good company. 

What Even Is Imposter Syndrome? 

Basically, it’s when you feel like your accomplishments aren’t really yours. You chalk everything up to luck, timing, or other people’s mistakes – anything but your own hard work and talent. Maybe you feel like you don’t deserve your job, or you think you’re not qualified enough to be in the room. It’s the mental equivalent of looking around at everyone else and going, “Wow, they really have it all together,” while totally ignoring that they probably feel the exact same way. 

Why We Feel This Way 

Imposter syndrome shows up for different reasons: 

• You set ridiculously high standards for yourself (hi, perfectionism). 

• You grew up in a family or culture where failure wasn’t an option. 

• You’re the “first” or “only” in a space—whether it’s your gender, race, background, or experience—and that makes you feel like you have something extra to prove. 

But here’s the thing: none of that means you don’t belong. It just means you’re human. 

How to Quiet That Voice 

Here are a few things that have helped me when I’m spiraling: 

1. Call it out: Literally, just name it. “Oh hey, that’s my imposter syndrome talking.” Saying it out loud takes away some of its power. It’s like turning on the lights in a creepy room—it’s suddenly not as scary when you can see what’s there. 

2. Talk back: Challenge those doubts. Instead of thinking, “I only got this job because I got lucky,” remind yourself of all the work you put in to get there. Keep a list of your accomplishments (even the small ones!) to pull out when you need proof that you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. 

3. Find good people: Surround yourself with people who get it and can hype you up. Whether it’s a friend, a coworker, or a mentor, having someone remind you of your worth when you can’t see it yourself makes all the difference. 

4. Stop comparing: Easier said than done, I know. But everyone is just figuring it out as they go. Seriously, even the person who seems like they have their life perfectly together has their moments.  

5. Redefine success: It’s important to know that you don’t have to be perfect to be worthy. Mistakes don’t make you a failure—they make you human. Focus on learning and growing instead of trying to check every imaginary box. 

A Little Pep Talk 

You didn’t get where you are by accident. Even if you don’t feel like it right now, you’re capable, talented, and deserving.  

Imposter syndrome is a sneaky liar, but it doesn’t get to call the shots. You do. So take a deep breath, remind yourself of everything you’ve overcome to get here, and keep going.  

References: 

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: 6 Evidence-Based Strategies | Psychology Today 

The Neuroscience of Imposter Syndrome