Imposter Syndrome
You might look capable and confident on the outside, but inside, there’s a constant second-guessing. A quiet fear that you’re not as competent as people think. That you’ve somehow fooled everyone — and it’s only a matter of time before you’re found out.
These thoughts and feelings can show up in subtle, persistent ways. And they often sit alongside things like perfectionism, anxiety, procrastination, low confidence, and overworking.
If you’ve ever felt like a fraud, struggled to accept praise, or pushed yourself relentlessly to prove you’re enough — you’re not alone.
Here are some of the most common signs and symptoms of Imposter Syndrome.
Thought Patterns
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“I’m just faking it.”
You worry you’ve somehow managed to convince people you’re competent — but deep down, you’re waiting to be exposed. -
Struggling to own your success.
You might put your achievements down to luck, timing, or help from others, rather than your own ability or effort. -
Fear of failure.
Mistakes feel like evidence you’re not good enough — not just that you’re human. -
Dismissing positive feedback.
Compliments are awkward or uncomfortable. You might smile and nod, but inside, you don’t quite believe them.
Feelings
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Anxiety and performance worry.
That underlying tension — always wondering if you’re doing enough or if people are noticing your mistakes. -
Shame.
A deep sense that you’re somehow not enough, and that one day it’ll be obvious to everyone else too. -
Frustration and low mood.
Even when you’re doing well, it never feels like enough. You’re always chasing, never arriving. -
Exhaustion.
Trying to keep up the appearance of competence — when you’re doubting yourself inside — is draining.
Behaviours
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Perfectionism.
You set impossibly high standards for yourself — and beat yourself up when you don’t meet them. -
Overworking.
You go above and beyond to compensate for feeling “not good enough”. But no matter how much you do, it rarely feels like enough. -
Procrastination.
You put things off because the pressure to get them “just right” feels overwhelming — or paralysing. -
Holding back.
You stay small, avoid speaking up, or turn down opportunities — just in case you’re not good enough or others realise you’re out of your depth.
A Few Things to Remember
You’re not broken.
Imposter Syndrome isn’t a mental health diagnosis — but that doesn’t mean it isn’t real or painful.
It sits on a spectrum.
Many people experience some of these signs now and again — but if they’re showing up often or affecting your wellbeing, they’re worth paying attention to.
You don’t have to figure it out alone.
Therapy can help you understand what’s driving your imposter feelings — and start to change the way you relate to them. Together, we can look at the patterns, where they’ve come from, and how to move forward in a more compassionate, grounded way.
If any of this feels familiar, you’re not alone — and there is a way through it.
In other posts, I explore what keeps these patterns going, and what genuinely helps them shift.