This article was originally published in the March 2026 issue of The Advocate. Read the article here.
Throughout my career, I have had several moments in which I have thought “Everyone knows what they are doing, except me. I’m a fraud.”
In reflecting on my experiences, I often found myself wondering if I was alone in feeling this way. I was reticent to explore this further at first for fear of feeling even more isolated, but it has been the exact opposite. Learning more about imposter syndrome has been incredibly enlightening and has helped me realize that I am, in fact, not alone in this journey. This understanding has enabled me to accept my feelings rather than resist them, which has increased my sense of ease and has been my key in being able to thrive at my work without further jeopardizing my mental health.
According to Encyclopedia Britannica, imposter syndrome is “a persistent unjustified feeling that one’s success is fraudulent”, and often accompanies doubts in one’s abilities despite evidence of achievement and includes a fear of having one’s unworthiness exposed. Although imposter syndrome is not classified as a disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, it can be extremely challenging for those who experience it. Individuals with this condition often deal with feelings of inadequacy and a constant fear of being revealed as frauds. They tend to overlook their accomplishments and attribute success to luck rather than skill.
My imposter syndrome manifested through intrusive thoughts, internal dialogue and a fear of being exposed. When the intensity and frequency of these thoughts and feelings heightened, I would spiral into overworking or procrastination as ways to calm myself, but neither were effective. I would overdo it or feel stuck and procrastinate, which meant I had to rush to meet the deadline. Either way, I would beat myself up about the process, dismiss my accomplishments and ignore positive feedback. The “truth” I was holding was that I was a fraud, and I believed that the only way to keep it a secret was to keep feeding the cycle of being hard on myself.
As a counsellor, I know that “hiding” the parts, the thoughts and the feelings without being able to share has the ability to take a toll on one’s mental health and well-being and has the potential to impact one’s personal and professional relationships. I became curious around the stories and videos of other people that talked about their experiences and their challenges around feelings of not being good enough or being fake. These people were successful authors and motivational speakers and they spoke around feelings of being an imposter. I consumed this information with great interest but was not yet able to see it in myself.
I had an opportunity to be present with a group of counsellors who were discussing imposter syndrome. As people shared, I was surprised: these esteemed professionals also had thoughts of being a fake and not knowing enough. Yet, still, I did not allow myself to share. I had somehow convinced myself that while these other folks may feel like frauds, I was the only “real” fraud in the group—I had imposter syndrome about my imposter syndrome.
Soon after, I experienced the power of showing vulnerability around trusted peers. I began to share more thoughts and feelings. This resulted in deeper connections with others. In these moments, I also began to share my mistakes and to challenge myself to share my accomplishments and there was validation and normalization present in these interactions.
Further research has drawn my attention to the “Impostor Cycle” by Dr. Pauline Clance, a clinical psychologist. She demonstrated in her diagram the pattern I had been practising for several years. How validating was that for myself, to know that “this is real”? According to Dr. Clance, imposters also hold fixed beliefs that accomplishment through hard work does not reflect true or real ability.
After careful work, I have started to challenge the cycle. I have worked on ways to ground myself when feelings of being overwhelmed come up or when procrastination starts setting in. I have begun to celebrate my efforts and my achievements upon completion of tasks whether they are big or small, some of which have become my sparkling moments.
Lastly, I have worked with and not against my imposter syndrome through self-acceptance. I am aware that I am not alone in my experience and that I have made deeper connections with others through conversations and vulnerability. Allowing myself to write this has given me an opportunity to normalize this experience. In any profession or line of work we choose, struggles and self-doubt can arise, and in knowing that, I am kinder to myself. There is also a sense of belonging and connection in such. I am at a place where the imposter syndrome can sometimes creep in and I am not as “stuck” in the experience.
Imposter syndrome can be a challenging experience and can get an individual to feel that they do not belong or that achievements are a result of luck. By listening to others discuss their journeys, we can start to catch and challenge our negative self-talk, reminding ourselves that we have earned our place at the table. Embracing our unique contributions and revisiting our “sparkling moments” can shift our perspective, allowing us to accept ourselves more fully.
ENDNOTE
For further reading, see: Stephen Eldridge, “Imposter Syndrome”, Encyclopedia Britannica (updated 11 December 2025), online: <www.britannica.com/topic/imposter-syndrome> and Valerie Young, Impostor Syndrome Institute, online: <www.impostoryndrome.com/valerie-young/>.
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