Imposter Syndrome Is My Middle Name

Hi, friends. Today I’m coming clean: imposter syndrome is my middle name. What exactly is it? Here’s how AI explains it: Imposter syndrome is a 
psychological phenomenon in which people doubt their own competence despite proven success, believing their achievements are just luck or chance and that they’ll soon be exposed as a fraud. People who experience it attribute their successes to outside factors, fear being found out, suffer from intense stress and perfectionism, and often avoid new opportunities, which can lead to dissatisfaction.

And yes, I have it bad. For years I had the same dream over and over: my boss walks up to my desk in the newsroom, holding a moving box, and says, “You need to pack up your things and go. Now.” When I ask why I’m being fired, he says, “Well, you don’t even have the training for this. You can’t do this job.”

Whenever I had a professional success, the joy barely registered. Instead, little voices piped up in my head: “Well, there was a lot of luck involved,” or “It’s not sooooo good, though.” And when I want to try something new, I often think, “But you can’t do that.” I know this stupid imposter syndrome has held me back a whole lot, and sometimes still does, and I’m actively working against it.

In my year-end recap, I told you I was looking for another professional pillar. Now I’ve found something that interests me, but imposter syndrome is already knocking again. “Is this really for you? Aren’t you overestimating your abilities a little?” So I called some friends to ask if they’d want to do it with me. Somehow I felt safer as a twosome. (Anyone else?)

Time to Kick Imposter Syndrome to the Curb!

How great is it to have friends who are brutally honest every now and then? My friend Pia said, “Katharina, you’re a grown woman. If you want to do this, do it. You don’t need a friend to hold your hand. And honestly, the reason you haven’t signed up yet is a lack of self-confidence.” Boom. That landed.

At first I swallowed hard, but I quickly realized she’d hit the nail on the head. I wanted to hide behind a friend and take the safer route. As if I needed somebody’s permission to try something new.

After two days of feeling queasy about it, I signed up, and now I’m super excited. Learning new things, meeting new people, watching how I behave when things get a little uncomfortable.

What I’m trying to say: Few of us are free of self-doubt, and jumping into cold water always takes some nerve. We never know if the leap will be worth it, but in most cases it gets the adrenaline pumping, we grow, and later, when we’re floating on our backs through the water, we can be proud of ourselves for taking the plunge.

In my year-end recap, I wrote that I don’t have any goals for 2026. But there’s one thing I’ve definitely resolved: screw imposter syndrome. Away with the constant self-doubt. Dare more and bet on yourself more!