Bury The Imposter
And revive the REAL you.
I know what it’s like to feel like a fraud.
To constantly question if you deserve the opportunity or even deserve to be in the room.
To be hesitant about putting yourself out there because you’re not sure if you know enough or done enough…
Especially when everyone else seems to be way more experienced or talented than you feel right now.
But the more I embrace my creative calling and experiment with taking risks and sharing my creations, the more I realized that these feelings weren’t the truth. In fact, my feelings were actively lying to me.
And I’m not the only one believing those lies.
I know so many multi-hyphenated leaders who are on a mission to do good in the world. But despite their gifts, achievements, and CLEAR qualifications, they do not move like they believe they deserve success.
Is it the perfectionism? Do things have to be just right for you to feel comfortable or ready?
Is your goal too big and risky? Are you freaking out because this is the first time you’ve done something like this before?
Or is it YOU? Are all of your negative thoughts about yourself right? Which means that feeling stuck is a personal failing that only you can fix?
Maybe. Maybe not. One thing I know for sure is that when you’re not an old, straight, white man things are a lot harder.
The Context Problem
Imposter syndrome is defined as “a psychological experience where high-achieving individuals doubt their accomplishments and harbor a persistent, internalized fear of being exposed as a "fraud," despite evidence of their competence. It involves attributing success to luck rather than ability, often leading to anxiety, overworking, and a sense of not belonging.”
But what this definition lacks is context. I’m sure that everyone has a moment where they doubt their abilities or if they're qualified. But when you don’t fit that “old, straight, white male” label, you have to fight obstacles that are specifically designed to oppress and repress you. Understand that the people in power do not want you to belong.
You doubt yourself because you’ve been taught to and the society around you reinforces that message. And it feels personal. Because society doesn’t give you the grace to make mistakes.
Unfortunately, this shows up in every area of our lives, from art to advocacy to entrepreneurship. It’s not just a lack of confidence. It’s the weight of everything you’re carrying on your back. It’s knowing that certain people don’t want you to win and actively make it harder.
It’s a direct attack on your identity to distract and delay you from completing your mission.
We’re essentially fighting two battles at once: one against oppression and one against ourselves.
Which is why general advice rarely works for us.
Why Cookie Cutter Doesn’t Cut It
So we’ve already established that the odds are stacked against people like us. But what we haven’t looked at is the full effect.
If you’ve ever felt like a perfectionist or like you can’t get out of survival mode, that means the system is doing its job.
Which is why:
“Just work harder” doesn’t work for us (we’re already in an unfair system)
Gaslighting yourself with positivity feels fake and ineffective
You feel ashamed for not being able to handle things or being “too sensitive”
You feel miserable after comparing your journey to someone else’s
We need advice that speaks to the way our brains work (I have a million tabs running in my head), the constant attacks we fight (which are exhausting), and the weight we carry (because we’re the only ones who can do what we do).
And most importantly, we need to learn how to bury the imposter, so that we can confidently show up as our true selves.
How To Bury The Imposter
The first step to burying the imposter is learning to see yourself correctly. You need to reconnect with your true identity, which means you need to get centered spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. There’s nothing more important than transforming and renewing your mind (because if you believe you’re a fraud, you’ll start acting like it).
Remember, if you’re one of those people who have to work twice as hard or be twice as good, know that you’re probably overqualified.
Next, you need to be personal and nuanced in your approach. The best way to think differently is by making it a lifestyle. But it needs to be catered and customized to the uniqueness of your life, and not anyone else’s.
Some things that work for my life are keeping track of my accomplishments and keeping it visible. It’s easy for me to get in my mood and start questioning my entire existence. But the facts are the facts. I’ve been putting in work for years and the numbers on my resume don’t lie. And it encourages me to see how far I’ve come over the years.
Think about your resume, from childhood until now. There are hidden gems in those memories, things you may have forgotten but are true nonetheless. Figure out how to keep those accomplishments at the top of your mind, especially when trying something new.
After that, I recommend finding an environment that affirms and encourages you. We hear a lot of negative voices on a daily basis, but there are communities out there who will see, hear, and celebrate you. Being around people who get it does more for your spirit than trying to make it alone.
For example, I was recently accepted into D&AD Shift’s award winning, industry-led program for creatives and I’ve never felt more seen and supported. I’m in the rooms with people share my values, recognize my value, and would do everything in their power to help me succeed. THIS is the kind of energy you need when you’re on a mission!
But you also need resolve. Are you committed to showing up despite your feelings? Sometimes that’s what you need to do to get things done. Because it’s not about how you feel at the moment. It’s about what you’ve been called to do in that moment. Who do you need to be to get things done? Who do you need to be to go after opportunities?
And lastly, to bury the impostor, you’ll need to keep doing the work. Keep creating despite it all.
The more you persist, the closer you get to reviving the REAL you.
And once you do, it’s a damn good feeling.
