Are we too welcoming to imposter syndrome?

Imposter syndrome can be defined as that hollow feeling of self doubt that makes you feel incapable of achieving something. Often fueled by comparison in workplaces or social settings, that feeling of not being good enough is felt by around 70% of the general population in their lifetime, experts say. 

But recently, American rugby player Ilona Maher spoke out about never feeling imposter syndrome, which was met with collective surprise and one burning question - how is that possible? Her confident answer, that she simply felt deserving of what she’s earned through hard work, was refreshing to see.

This interview showed how rare such a blatant display of self confidence is, and made us question whether normalising imposter syndrome actually keeps it lingering over us rather than solving it.

Too often when we attempt to make friendly impressions, we find relatability in expressing how unequipped we are for the task ahead. During momentary conversations in workrooms, I notice the general attitude always resorts back to doubting our abilities. Are we too accustomed to wallowing in our struggles nowadays that expressing stability would result in a double take?

On the surface, sharing our nerves can be hugely supportive and relieving. But, over time, it can result in us downplaying our success for the sake of not intimidating anyone.

I’ve found myself in situations where no matter how much I’ve over-prepared, I still diminish the work I’ve done in front of others and that attitude feeds my cycle of doubt.

Overcoming imposter syndrome, therefore, becomes as much of a social exercise as it is a mental one.

Some people find comfort in the label which validates feelings of uncertainty when finding your footing in something new. That difficulty of being a beginner, fumbling for the right steps with fragile determination, is entirely natural and relatable. 

There are many benefits of embracing imposter syndrome so we can feel supported, but the problem arises when this is seen as a default position.

When one person’s admission of self confidence ends up being blasted all over the internet for being so uncommon, it is fair to say we’ve settled too comfortably on the side of existing with doubt rather than overcoming it. Perhaps a joint effort in sharing our achievements authentically might be more inspiring than a collective moan at the circumstances. 

One moment from school that sticks out to me was when instead of complaining about the upcoming exam, my friend turned to me and joked, “We’re going to win this test”. That simple boost was far more uplifting than dragging our feet to the desks in unison. This isn’t to say positivity will defeat imposter syndrome, but we should set more goals to collect proof of our capabilities and share them with others. 

Being transparent about our fears is helpful, but what's more encouraging is expressing when we feel brave and deserving, as Ilona Maher has done. It might just spur others to start shedding their mask of hesitation.