Have you ever struggled with imposter syndrome?

Deep down, do you feel like you’re fooling everyone into thinking you’re more capable than you really are?

Imposter Syndrome Is Real

I’ve seen some really incredible people struggle with imposter syndrome—including my own daughter.

Earlier this week, Olivia was really struggling. She felt like she didn’t belong in law school.

She kept feeling that maybe she wasn’t good enough and that she was an imposter in a world full of smart, confident people.

We took some time together to talk through what imposter syndrome really means.

Imposter syndrome is when you feel like you are a fraud, even if you have all the skills and success to back it up.

You might think, “I don’t belong here,” or “They will find out I’m not as good as they think.”

These thoughts can come at work, in school, or in your personal life.

They make you worry about every decision and every word you say.

It is like having a noisy inner critic that never stops telling you that you’re not good enough.

This syndrome is very common. Many people, even the most successful ones, have felt this way at one time or another.

It is a natural reaction to high pressure and big challenges.

But when these thoughts take over, they stop you from enjoying your achievements and learning from your experiences.

The Heavy Weight of Self-Doubt

When you feel imposter syndrome, you might wake up already feeling behind.

You worry that everyone else is crushing it while you are just barely getting by.

At work, it might stop you from speaking up in meetings.

You might avoid hard conversations because you are scared of what others will think of you.

It’s like being stuck in quicksand—no matter how much you try to move, you feel weighed down by the belief that you can’t do it.

The truth is, these feelings are not facts. They are fears—fears that grow when we do not take time for ourselves.

The Moment of Realization

During our conversation, I asked Olivia what she had been doing for self-care.

I more specifically asked her if she had been crocheting—her way of practicing self-care and clearing her mind.

She replied, “I’m saving up self-care time for when I come home to visit next week.”

I gently told her, “Olivia, self-care isn’t something you can save up for later. It must happen every day.”

That moment was a turning point for her. She realized that neglecting her well-being was making the imposter syndrome even stronger.

By not taking care of herself, she was giving extra weight to those negative thoughts.

This realization is a lesson for all of us: if we let ourselves go without self-care, we become our own worst enemy.

The pressure we feel often comes from the inside—our own thoughts telling us we’re not good enough.

But these thoughts can be silenced and even transformed if we decide to take care of ourselves every single day.

So, how do we do it?

Here are some simple strategies that have helped me to overcome imposter syndrome. I know that can help you too.

Practice Daily Self-Care

Self-care isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.

Whether it’s reading, taking a walk, or even doing something creative like crocheting, taking a few moments each day to care for yourself can ease the weight of self-doubt.

Even if your schedule is packed, find a small window—five minutes, ten minutes—just for you.

This time will help you reset and remind you that you are worthy of care.

Change Your Inner Dialogue

Instead of letting negative thoughts like “I can’t” or “I’m not good enough” run wild, replace them with positive affirmations.

Tell yourself, “I can do this,” or “I am learning and growing every day.”

It might feel strange at first, but positive self-talk slowly rewires your brain.

With practice, these words will become your truth.

Share Your Feelings

Talking to someone you trust can lighten the load of self-doubt.

Whether it’s a friend, a mentor, or a family member, sharing your thoughts can help you see that you are not alone.

I am so grateful that Olivia felt comfortable enough to talk to me about how she was feeling.

Sometimes, a different perspective is exactly what we need to help us see our circumstances and ourselves differently.

And sometimes, just voicing your worries makes them seem less heavy and more manageable.

Set Realistic Goals

Imposter syndrome often makes us set impossible standards.

Set small, realistic goals that you can achieve.

 When you meet these goals, it shows you that you are capable.

Gradually, as you build on these successes, your belief in yourself will grow.

Avoid Comparing Yourself to Others

One of the strongest triggers for imposter syndrome is comparing ourselves to those around us.

Remember, each person has their own journey.

Focus on your progress, not on someone else’s achievements.

Your path is unique, and so is your growth.

Build a Support Network

Surround yourself with people who believe in you.

A supportive network can provide the encouragement you need to overcome doubts.

Whether it’s joining a group or reaching out to a mentor, knowing that others see your potential can help silence your inner critic.

A Final Thought on Embracing Self-Care

When Olivia stopped saving her self-care for a special day, she began to feel better about herself.

She discovered that taking care of herself every day—no matter how small the action—helped her quiet the inner critic.

That realization changed her perspective.

And it can change yours, too.

In the end, imposter syndrome is just a barrier—a belief that can be broken down with daily, intentional actions of self-care.

It is not a permanent part of who you are.

You have the power to transform your inner dialogue. It begins with loving yourself enough to practice self-care every single day.

The more you care for yourself, the easier it will be to overcome imposter syndrome and see how extraordinary and capable you truly are.