If you've ever felt like you're not "good enough" or that you're "faking it" even though you've worked hard for where you are, then you're not alone. Yep, that's imposter syndrome—and it’s a tricky little beast. I’ve battled with it for years, and if I’m being honest, it still pops up when I’m about to do something new or uncomfortable. But here’s what I’ve realized: Imposter syndrome doesn’t have to control us. It’s just a story we’ve been told, and it’s time to rewrite it.

My Journey with Imposter Syndrome

Let me take you back a little. It all started when I launched a project with my business partner back in 2018. For the longest time, I stayed in the shadows, hiding behind a fake name. Sure, I shared the story of who was behind it all, but my face? My real name? Nope. That was off-limits. I was too scared of what people would think. Particularly the ones who "knew" me—those old classmates, distant relatives, you know, the ones who have opinions about everything. I kept telling myself, "Once I prove I’ve achieved something, THEN I’ll reveal myself." I wanted everything to be perfect first: the project, my social media, my business, and especially me.

It wasn’t just about success; it was about controlling the narrative. I thought I had to have everything lined up, polished, and perfect before I could be visible. You know, “I’ll start showing my face when I’ve hit a milestone, when things are perfect.” But deep down, I was only holding myself back.

It took me until recently, after hitting 20K followers on Instagram organically, to finally get the courage to just be myself. But even now, I still find myself battling the voice that says, “What if I mess up? What if they think I’m not good enough?”

The thing is, I’m not alone. And neither are you. If you’ve ever felt like you were faking it—whether in business, in motherhood, or in life—imposter syndrome has likely been creeping around, making you question your worth, your abilities, or your potential. But you know what? That’s normal. It doesn’t mean you're not capable. In fact, it means you’re on the right path.

Why Does Imposter Syndrome Happen?

Imposter syndrome often stems from two big things: fear of judgment and perfectionism.

1. Fear of Judgment: The belief that if you show up and share who you are, people will see you as "not enough." That maybe your friends, family, or colleagues will think you're not qualified or worthy of success. Here’s the twist: Most people are too busy overthinking their own lives to care about yours. Seriously.
   
2. Perfectionism: This one is huge. You think that you have to have everything figured out before you can put yourself out there. So instead of taking messy, imperfect steps, you get stuck in the planning phase. But the reality is, nothing will ever be “perfect,” and waiting for that is just a trap.
   

Types of Imposter Syndrome

There are actually several different “types” of imposter syndrome, each of which manifests in its own way. Here are some of the most common ones:

1. The Perfectionist

This is where you feel like everything has to be flawless. If it’s not perfect, then it’s a failure. You have a hard time accepting anything less than absolute excellence, and you tend to focus on the tiniest flaws. Sound familiar?

2. The Expert

This person is constantly afraid that they don’t know enough. They feel like a fraud unless they have every single answer, and they often struggle to ask for help because they fear that showing vulnerability will expose them as "unqualified."

3. The Natural Genius

If you don’t master something immediately, you assume you’re not cut out for it. This often leads to imposter syndrome in people who are used to being “naturally good” at everything—until they encounter something that takes time, effort, and struggle.

4. The Soloist

The soloist believes that asking for help is a sign of weakness, so they often take on too much themselves. They feel like they have to do everything alone or they’ll be exposed as inadequate.

5. The Superhero

This type of imposter syndrome makes you feel like you have to constantly be working harder and doing more. You end up running yourself into the ground, because you’re convinced that if you’re not overworking yourself, you’ll be found out as a fraud.

Why Imposter Syndrome Happens: A Deeper Dive

Imposter syndrome isn’t just a simple “feeling.” It can be triggered by a variety of factors. Here's why it shows up:

1. Childhood Conditioning

From a young age, many of us are conditioned to seek validation from others. This leads to perfectionism, fear of failure, and the constant worry that we're not measuring up.

2. Social Comparison

With the rise of social media, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others. We only see the highlights of people's lives, so we think we should be doing just as well—or better. This can leave us feeling inadequate, like we're falling short.

3. Fear of Failure

The fear of failing is often rooted in shame and the belief that failure means we are "bad" or "not enough." This is a heavy burden that can prevent us from stepping into our true potential.

How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome

Here’s how to tackle that imposter syndrome and start showing up fully:

1. Acknowledge It

The first step is realizing when imposter syndrome is creeping in. Once you’re aware of it, you can actively challenge it. Awareness is key!

2. Get Comfortable with Imperfection

No one is perfect. In fact, imperfection is what makes us human. The more you embrace your flaws and allow yourself to be imperfect, the easier it is to move past the fear of judgment.

3. Celebrate Your Wins

Start celebrating even the small wins. This helps train your brain to acknowledge your capabilities and reminds you that you are indeed worthy of success.

4. Seek Support

Sometimes we need others to remind us of our worth. Reach out to a mentor, a friend, or a coach who can offer perspective and help you build your confidence.

5. Change Your Narrative

Instead of seeing mistakes as evidence of your inadequacy, view them as opportunities to learn and grow. Reframe the negative thoughts into positive, constructive ones.

Preventing Imposter Syndrome in Our Kids

As parents, we have the power to shape how our children view themselves. Here's how we can prevent imposter syndrome from developing in the next generation:

1. Encourage Effort Over Perfection

Instead of focusing on outcomes, praise your kids for their effort. This helps them understand that it’s okay to fail and that growth comes from trying, not from being perfect.

2. Normalize Mistakes

Show your kids that mistakes are part of learning. Let them see that even you make mistakes, and it’s okay to fail as long as you get back up and try again.

3. Promote Healthy Self-Talk

Teach your children how to talk to themselves with kindness and compassion. Help them build self-confidence by focusing on their strengths, not just their weaknesses.

4. Create an Environment of Acceptance

Encourage your kids to be their authentic selves. When they feel accepted and loved for who they are, they’re less likely to struggle with feelings of inadequacy.

Final Thoughts: You Are More Than Enough

If you’re reading this and you’re struggling with imposter syndrome, know this: You are enough. Just as you are, right now, in this imperfect moment. I’m learning this every day as I share more of myself with the world, and I want you to know that your story is just as important as anyone else’s.

Take messy action. Show up even when you don’t feel like you have it all together. And remember, perfection doesn’t exist—but growth does.

Imposter syndrome is a sneaky liar. And the more we take action in spite of it, the less power it has over us. You’ve got this.

Key Takeaways:

• Perfectionism is a trap. Embrace the mess, because it’s where growth happens.
  
• Take imperfect action. It builds momentum and confidence.
  
• You are not alone. Everyone experiences imposter syndrome at some point, even those who seem like they’ve “made it.”
  
• Focus on your impact, not perfection. What matters is how you help others, not how perfect you are.
  

Celebrate every win. Big or small, your progress counts.