Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome is a psychological phenomenon in which a person doubts their abilities and feels like a fraud, even though they are qualified and successful. It is particularly common in high-achieving individuals, who may feel like they are not worthy of their accomplishments and fear being exposed as frauds.

If you have ever felt like you are not good enough, like you don't belong, or like you are just faking it, chances are you have experienced imposter syndrome. It's a common problem affecting up to 70% of people at some point in their lives – but it does seem that women are impacted more often. A recent study has found that 53% of women say they have experienced these feelings of self-doubt, with a whopping 72% of these saying they have felt this way in a workplace setting. This compares to 54% of the men surveyed saying they have never felt this way at all.

When I transitioned from a corporate job to the wild and wonderful world of freelance copywriting, I experienced imposter syndrome in full force. In my previous job I was confident, comfortable, and respected. Most of the time I didn’t feel like I was blagging it. Stepping out on my own meant I was exposed in a way I hadn’t been for years.

Oh god, I’m going to be shown up as the fraud I am and the façade I’ve spent years building up will crumble away!

Of course, that hasn’t happened. We all have moments when we doubt ourselves and feel like we don't belong, whether it's starting a new job, taking on a new role, or pursuing a new passion. It's important to recognise that these feelings are normal.

For me, the reassurance has come from talking to other freelancers and realizing that I'm not alone in my feelings of self-doubt. It's comforting to know that even those who have been in their fields for decades still struggle with feeling like they’re blagging it. I remind myself of my achievements, my strengths and my unique skills. A little bit of posi6ve affirmation helps too.

There is also that knowledge that everyone feels like they’re winging it sometimes. So, if you're feeling like a fraud, take a deep breath, remind yourself of your strengths, and know that you're not alone. And if all else fails, put on your favourite power suit, strut your stuff, and show imposter syndrome who's boss!

(Disclaimer: I am not a mental health professional. Imposter Syndrome can be a debilitating condition linked to anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems. If you are feeling anxious or overwhelmed, please speak to your GP.)