Guest author, Chloe Pearson, encourages us to step into our freedom and power.
You’ve probably had that moment. You’re surrounded by smart people. Everyone’s talking like they’ve got it all figured out. A small voice in your head whispers, “You shouldn’t be here.” That’s imposter syndrome talking. It doesn’t care how many degrees you’ve earned. It doesn’t care what your résumé says. It doesn’t care how many nights you’ve pulled off the impossible. It sits quietly in the background, chipping away at your confidence, until doubt becomes your default setting. And if you’re not careful, it makes you second-guess the very things you’ve worked the hardest for. But it doesn’t have to be permanent.
When Doubt Becomes Default
Imposter syndrome usually doesn’t shout. It creeps in slowly, almost politely, but once it settles, it starts dictating how you see yourself. You find yourself questioning whether your achievements were due to luck instead of skill. You might also worry that someone’s going to call you out as a fraud. These thoughts aren’t rare, either. Research shows that over 70 percent of people will experience this at some point, and it doesn’t discriminate. People experiencing persistent self-doubt feel inadequate. They report it haunts them even after promotions. It also affects them after big wins. And the cruel irony is, it tends to hit high achievers the hardest.
Get Schooled, Get Stronger
Confidence doesn’t just appear one morning. Sometimes, you’ve got to build it brick by brick, skill by skill. Going back to school can be a direct way to rebuild trust in your abilities. This is especially true when you’ve felt like you’ve hit a ceiling. Whether it’s a single course or a full degree, education lets you get more out of yourself. It sends a strong message to your inner imposter. A business management degree, for instance, can deepen your confidence in leadership, operations, and project management. It also makes you more marketable. And if flexibility matters, you can earn an online degree at your own pace. You can also study wherever you feel most like yourself.
Perfectionism Is a Liar
If you’re a perfectionist, imposter syndrome can have you in a chokehold. It convinces you that unless something is flawless, it doesn’t count. That mindset turns every tiny mistake into a catastrophe and every success into an accident. It’s not ambition, it’s self-sabotage in disguise. People with overly high expectations for themselves often burn out before they give themselves permission to feel proud. They over-prepare, over-apologize, and overcompensate until exhaustion becomes a badge of honor. If you don’t learn to let go of the impossible standard, you will struggle with imposter syndrome. It will stick around like it pays rent.
You’re Not Them, You’re You
Scrolling through social media can feel like walking into a hall of mirrors. Listening to a colleague list their wins can feel the same. Comparison is a dangerous game because you’re playing with made-up rules. Everyone’s timeline is different, yet imposter syndrome convinces you you’re falling behind. What you don’t see are the insecurities and detours other people hide just as well as you do. Learning to stop comparing yourself to others is one of the hardest habits to break. Yet, it’s also one of the most important. Once you do, you’ll start to notice your own growth—without the background noise.
Talk Back to the Voice
That inner critic? It’s not all-knowing. Sometimes it’s just a collection of old fears in a new outfit. Reframing those negative thoughts doesn’t mean pretending you’re the best at everything—it means giving yourself permission to be good enough. Instead of thinking, “I have no idea what I’m doing,” try, “I’m learning something new every day.” You can interrupt the loop by replacing it with positive affirmations, even if they feel clunky at first. Eventually, your brain catches on that maybe, just maybe, you’re not faking anything at all.
Change the Way You Think About Failing
There’s freedom in not needing to be the expert all the time. People who develop a growth mindset know that mistakes aren’t dead ends, they’re detours. Once you allow yourself to learn through failure, you begin to remove shame from the process. Suddenly, it’s not about proving yourself anymore, it’s about improving. That’s a big shift. And it’s often the very thing that untangles you from the trap of imposter syndrome.
Let People In
This part’s uncomfortable, especially if you’re used to pretending everything’s fine. But pretending gets lonely, fast. Sharing your feelings with mentors, peers, or therapists can be beneficial. The act of naming the fear often robs it of its power. Community doesn’t solve imposter syndrome entirely, but it keeps you grounded in truth. You’re not alone, and you never were. Let someone remind you of that when you forget.
There’s no certificate or speech that makes imposter syndrome disappear forever. It lingers because it’s tied to how we’ve been taught to measure worth—by output, by applause, by comparison. But that’s never been the full story. Your presence, your work, your wins, they’re all yours, whether or not your brain wants to admit it. The only way out is through, with practice, patience, and enough reminders that you’re not just pretending. You’re participating.
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