Okay, let’s be real for a second… We’ve all been there, right? That little voice in your head saying, “Who do you think you are?” or “You’re not as good as everyone thinks you are.” Yep, that’s imposter syndrome. And let me tell you, I’ve had my fair share of it, especially when I started stepping into bigger roles and taking on projects that seemed way bigger than me.
Sometimes, you look around at all these amazing people, and you think, “How did I get here? Am I really supposed to be here?” It’s like a constant battle between your inner passion and that voice of self-doubt. But here’s the thing – that voice? It’s lying to you. And today, I’m going to chat about imposter syndrome and how I deal with it because, trust me, if you’re feeling this way too, you’re definitely not alone!
What the Heck is Imposter Syndrome?
So, imposter syndrome is when you feel like you don’t deserve your success. Like you’re just winging it, and at any moment someone’s going to figure out you don’t actually know what you’re doing (even though you absolutely do). It’s way more common than we think—especially for women in the creative industry.
Let’s be real: the whole industry is still primarily dominated by men. From the boardrooms to the shoots, it’s often a boys’ club—and stepping into those spaces as a woman can make you question yourself, even when you know your sh*t.
I’ve definitely had those moments where I’ve looked around and thought, “What am I even doing here?” You walk into a big role, work alongside brilliant (mostly male) creatives, and suddenly feel like you’re about to get exposed for not being ‘enough.’
But here’s the truth: You’re not faking anything. You belong there. You bring something they can’t—your perspective, your voice, your vision. And that’s powerful.
How Do You Know If You’re Dealing with It?
Here are a few signs you might be struggling with imposter syndrome:
You downplay your achievements and say it’s just “luck.”
You feel like you don’t deserve the success you’ve earned.
You think someone’s going to “catch you out” and expose you as a “fraud.”
You’re constantly overworking yourself, trying to prove you’re worthy.
Does any of that sound familiar? Yeah, I thought so. You’re not alone, I promise.
How I Handle Imposter Syndrome (And How You Can Too!)
Celebrate Your Wins! It’s easy to brush off your successes and say, “Oh, it wasn’t a big deal.” But trust me—it was a big deal. Every achievement, no matter how small it seems, deserves to be celebrated. Take a moment to reflect on everything you’ve accomplished and remind yourself that you’ve earned it.
Talk About It (Seriously!) This is a huge one. Talking about how you feel—whether it’s with a friend, a colleague, or someone you trust—makes a world of difference. Chances are, they’ve been there too, and it helps to hear that you’re not the only one. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve shared my “imposter” moments with others, and they’ve said, “Oh yeah, I feel the same!” It’s comforting to know we’re all in this together.
Stop Comparing Yourself to Others I know it’s hard, especially in the age of social media, but remember, everyone’s journey is different. Just because someone else seems to have it all together doesn’t mean they do. Focus on your unique path and appreciate how far you’ve come. Your journey is yours alone, and no one else’s success is a reflection of your own worth.
Change That Inner Dialogue You know that voice inside that says, “You can’t do this”? It’s time to tell it to shut up. Instead of believing the negative self-talk, try affirming yourself. I started saying things like, “I am worthy of this success” and “I’ve worked hard to get here.” It might feel silly at first, but trust me, it works. You’ve got this.
Embrace Mistakes as Part of the Process This one took me a while to figure out, but it’s so important. Mistakes? They’re not failures—they’re learning opportunities. No one is perfect, and no one has it all figured out. So when something goes wrong, instead of beating yourself up, ask yourself, “What can I learn from this?” It’s part of growing and evolving in your career.
