Impostor Syndrome: Why You Feel Like a Fraud (and How to Break Free)

Do you ever feel like a fraud – as if you’re just one mistake away from being “found out”? Maybe you’ve worked hard and achieved success, yet deep down you don’t feel worthy of it. Or perhaps you hold yourself back from speaking up, asking for more, or taking risks because you secretly believe: “I’m not really good enough.”

That nagging inner doubt has a name: **impostor syndrome**. And it’s far more common than you might think.

What Is Impostor Syndrome, Really?

Impostor syndrome is a simply mindset. It’s the belief that your success is down to luck, timing, or simply being in the right place at the right time – anything but your talent, intelligence, or effort.

Signs you might recognise include:

* Constantly questioning your achievements

* Brushing off praise or compliments

* A fear of being “found out” as a fraud

* Swinging between over-preparing and procrastinating

* Thinking that everyone else has it together but you

And it doesn’t discriminate. From entrepreneurs to creatives, teachers to executives, even people at the very top of their careers can struggle with it.

Where Does Impostor Syndrome Come From?

Impostor thoughts usually have deep roots. They often form early on through family dynamics, school experiences, cultural messages, or past failures that left a mark.

Some common underlying beliefs include:

* “I have to be perfect to be accepted.”

* “If I succeed, people will expect too much from me.”

* “I’m not talented enough – I just got lucky.”

These kinds of beliefs can gnaw away quietly in the background for years, shaping how you lead, present, make decisions, and even how much joy you allow yourself to feel.

That’s why simply telling yourself to “be confident” rarely works. Logic alone doesn’t shift feelings that are wired into your dominant subconscious patterns.

Why Mindset Shifts Alone Aren’t Enough

You might already have tried reading self-help books, listening to podcasts, or giving yourself pep talks. While these can be helpful, impostor syndrome tends to live deeper than conscious thought. It’s an emotional pattern — a protective mechanism your mind created to keep you safe from judgment or failure.

To move past it, you need more than positive thinking. You need to address those beliefs at their roots and replace them with something stronger and truer.

Real-Life Shifts People Experience

When people work on impostor syndrome the change can be profound. Instead of just “thinking differently,” they begin to feel different:

* That gnawing self-doubt quietens down

* Praise starts to feel believable

* Decisions become easier

* Confidence feels more natural, not forced

As one client put it after working through her patterns:

“I feel I have gone from feeling stuck and unsure about which direction to go in with my work to feeling very confident, excited and inspired about my work again.”

Your Next Step Forward

If this resonates with you, know that you’re not alone and you don’t have to keep battling those feelings. That’s exactly why I created “Your Next Step Forward” — an online course for midlife women who want to build genuine confidence and lasting self-esteem.

The course draws on proven approaches used to rewire unhelpful patterns at the subconscious level while also giving you practical tools to move forward in your everyday life. You’ll explore where impostor thoughts began, reframe the stories holding you back, and develop a grounded, sense of your own worth.

It’s about moving past “I should feel confident” into actually feeling confident.

Here’s a  Quick Confidence Anchor You Can Try Now

Here’s a simple tool you can use when impostor thoughts creep in:

1. Close your eyes and take 3 slow, deep breaths.

2. Recall a time when you felt genuinely proud and capable.

3. Repeat silently: *“This is who I really am.”*

Even small daily practices like this can start to shift your brain towards self-trust.

Final Thoughts

Impostor syndrome doesn’t mean you’re broken. It’s simply your mind’s way of trying to keep you safe from failure or judgment. But you don’t need to let that protective voice run the show anymore.

With the right support, you can quieten those doubts, feel grounded in your worth, and step into opportunities with confidence.

And if you’re ready for that shift, “Your Next Step Forward” could be the turning point that helps you leave impostor syndrome behind — and finally feel free to take up space in your own life.

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