Why You Feel Like an Imposter (And What to Do About It)
If you’ve ever thought, I don’t belong here, I’m not as good as they think I am, or I just got lucky, you’ve probably heard the term "imposter syndrome." It’s everywhere—on social media, in professional circles, and in casual conversations among high-achieving women.
But what if I told you that imposter syndrome isn’t actually real?
How We Got "Imposter Syndrome" Wrong
The original research on the Imposter Phenomenon (coined in 1978 by psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes) described a pattern of feeling like a fraud despite evidence of success. It wasn’t a medical diagnosis or a personal failing—it was a social phenomenon observed in high-achieving individuals, especially women.
Fast forward to today, and we’ve turned it into "imposter syndrome"—a self-diagnosed condition that makes us believe there’s something fundamentally wrong with us. The shift in language is important:
Phenomenon suggests an external experience that can be observed and understood.
Syndrome suggests a personal defect—a problem with you that needs fixing.
And who, historically, has been told over and over again that they are the problem? Women.
For generations, women have been conditioned to believe that if we feel uncomfortable in a space, the issue is us, not the space itself. Instead of questioning why we feel like outsiders or why workplaces don’t always make space for diverse leadership styles, we assume that we need to work harder, prove ourselves more, and "fix" whatever is making us doubt our abilities.
This is why "imposter syndrome" disproportionately affects women, especially women of color—because we’re not just battling self-doubt; we’re battling systems that weren’t always designed for us to succeed.
You Don’t Have Imposter Syndrome—You Have a Realistic Reaction to Your Environment
Here’s the truth: Feeling like an imposter doesn’t mean you’re incapable. It often means you’re in an environment where your contributions aren’t fully recognized or valued.
Maybe you’re the only woman in the room. Maybe you’ve never had a mentor who looks like you. Maybe the feedback you receive is vague while your male colleagues are given direct growth opportunities.
What we’ve labeled "imposter syndrome" is often a natural response to being in spaces where we’ve historically been underrepresented. Instead of gaslighting ourselves into thinking we don’t belong, we need to shift the conversation toward owning our worth, reflecting on where these feelings come from, and rising into our confidence.
Own, Reflect, Rise: How to Move Past Imposter Feelings
I created the Own, Reflect, Rise Journal to help break the cycle of self-doubt—not by "fixing" you, but by helping you see that you were never the problem to begin with.
Here’s how you can start reframing imposter feelings today:
Own Your Experience – Instead of labeling yourself as someone with "imposter syndrome," recognize the factors contributing to your doubt. Are you in a space where your ideas are dismissed? Have you been conditioned to minimize your success? Awareness is the first step in taking back your power.
Reflect on the Narrative – Whose voice is telling you that you don’t belong? Is it actually yours, or is it the accumulation of societal messaging, past experiences, and outdated expectations? The Reflect, Identify, Reframe, Reinforce© model in the journal helps you break down these patterns and replace them with empowering beliefs.
Rise with Confidence – Confidence isn’t about eliminating doubt—it’s about moving forward despite it. The more you document your wins, challenge negative self-talk, and take action anyway, the more you rewire your brain to see yourself as capable and deserving.
You Belong. Period.
The next time you feel like an imposter, stop and ask yourself:
Am I actually unqualified, or have I just been conditioned to doubt myself?
Would I still feel this way if I saw more people like me in this space?
Am I measuring myself against standards that others don’t hold themselves to?
You don’t need to "fix" yourself. You need to trust yourself.
And if you need a structured space to do that, Own, Reflect, Rise is here to help.
Now available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/8Gh3XvZ
Because you are enough, just as you are. 💫
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