I know that feeling. That little voice in your head whispering, You don’t belong here. You’re not good enough. Imposter syndrome is a sneaky liar, and trust me, you’re not alone in feeling this way. It’s a common struggle, even among the most brilliant, accomplished people I know—people with resumes that could make you weep.
Social media doesn’t help. It bombards us with carefully curated lives, making it seem like everyone else is effortlessly succeeding. This pressure can be even worse for women, who are expected to be ambitious but likeable, confident but not too confident, and successful, but never at the expense of our personal lives. It’s exhausting and feeds the lie that we’re falling short. But remember, it’s not the whole truth.
So, what do you do when that doubt creeps in? First, when your brain starts spinning worst-case scenarios, ask yourself, Is this actually true? Most of the time, it’s just fear talking. Call it out. Write down your accomplishments, even the small ones. Re-read nice things people have said about you and your work. Your brain may try to dismiss them, but facts don’t lie. You have the power to challenge these thoughts.
Second, stop comparing. It’s a trap. You only see other people’s highlight reels, not the messy behind-the-scenes coverage that is far more authentic and relatable. And remember that the person you admire likely feels like a fraud, too.
Third, lean into learning and curiosity. If you feel like you don’t know enough, keep learning. Growth can be uncomfortable, and if you’re stretching yourself, you should feel a little out of your depth. That means you’re in the right place.
And finally, talk about it. Say it out loud to a friend or mentor: “I feel like I don’t belong here”. Nine times out of ten, they’ll say, Me too.
About the author:
Jill Heinerth, FRCGS, D. Lit. h.c., Author, INTO THE PLANET – My Life as a Cave Diver Explorer in Residence, Royal Canadian Geographical Society Honorary Ottawa Riverkeeper. Jill is also a Women Emerging Guide
MORE: www.IntoThePlanet.com
WATCH: www.DivingIntoTheDarkness.com
NEWSLETTER: https://explorersmindset.substack.com
