Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: A Journey for Women, Mothers, and Entrepreneurs

Imposter syndrome. It’s a term you’ve likely heard before, but it’s one thing to understand it and another to feel it. You know that feeling—when you look at your accomplishments, your journey, the people who look up to you, and somehow, despite all the evidence, you think, “I don’t belong here.” For many women, especially those balancing motherhood, careers, or business ventures, that voice in our head telling us we’re not enough feels all too familiar.

I’ll tell you about a friend of mine—we’ll call her Sarah. Sarah is a mom, a business owner, and one of the most capable people I know. On the surface, she’s confident and driven, but recently, she confided in me that every time she lands a new client or her business gets recognition, her initial reaction is fear. Fear that someone will see through her, that she’ll be “found out” as somehow unworthy of her achievements. “I feel like I’m pretending to be this person they expect me to be,” she said. “Sometimes, I’m just waiting for the other shoe to drop.” And, as she said it, I recognized the feeling, too. Haven’t we all felt like Sarah at one point or another?

Why Women, Mothers, and Entrepreneurs Feel This Way

This feeling isn’t exclusive to Sarah, or to me, or to you. It’s something so many women carry, almost like an invisible weight. We’re often told from a young age to be humble, to not brag, to put others first. We’re nurturers, caretakers, and support systems. It’s beautiful in many ways, but it can mean we enter adulthood with a quieter voice when it comes to our own achievements. As mothers, that voice can get even quieter because now there’s another role we have to excel at. We question if our choices are the best for our children, if we’re “doing enough” for our family, our job, our dreams.

And if you’re an entrepreneur, it’s another layer entirely. Every decision feels like it’s magnified, every step like it’s under a microscope. There’s pressure to succeed, and yet there’s this lingering fear that, somehow, we’re just getting lucky or that someone out there is doing it better.

The Stories We Tell Ourselves

Another friend of mine, Rebecca, runs a small marketing business. She’s brilliant, passionate, and her clients adore her. Yet, she says she wakes up some days feeling like she’s somehow stumbled her way to success. “I get these clients, and then I panic,” she said. “I start thinking, ‘What if they realize I’m not actually that good? What if they find out I’m just figuring it out as I go?’”

I know what she means. The story of “I’m not good enough” or “I’m not as capable as they think” is one we tell ourselves time and again. But here’s the thing—none of these stories are based in reality. They’re based on our fears, on societal expectations, and sometimes even on the comments or subtle doubts we’ve picked up from others over time. But they aren’t true.

The Turning Point

One day, Sarah shared a story that changed her perspective. She’d been at a networking event and started chatting with a woman who was the CEO of a major tech company—someone Sarah deeply admired. After a few drinks, the CEO admitted, “Every day, I worry I’m one wrong decision away from everything crumbling. It’s like I’m just playing the part.” Sarah was floored. This woman, someone who seemed untouchable and so put-together, felt the exact same way. In that moment, Sarah realized: everyone feels it. Even the people who seem to have it all figured out.

Sometimes, just knowing that we’re not alone in feeling this way can be the turning point. Knowing that there’s no magical moment when self-doubt just disappears. It’s part of being human, especially for women who are constantly balancing and striving and growing.

Rewriting the Story

I like to think of overcoming imposter syndrome as rewriting the story we tell ourselves. Instead of waiting to “become” the person you think you’re supposed to be, embrace that you already are that person.

The next time you find yourself questioning whether you deserve your success, whether you’re a good enough mother, or whether you’re capable of running your own business, stop and remind yourself: I’m here because I’ve earned it. You didn’t stumble your way to where you are—you walked there, step by step. Sure, you may have made mistakes along the way, but so has everyone else. No one’s journey is without bumps.

Finding Strength in Community

When Sarah finally opened up about her imposter syndrome, it wasn’t just an admission of vulnerability—it was also a moment of connection. She found herself surrounded by other women who understood her struggle, who validated her journey, and who shared stories of their own. This is why community matters so much. Whether you’re a mother, a woman navigating her career, or an entrepreneur, finding others who relate can be a grounding experience.

So, let’s lift each other up. Let’s remind each other that none of us are alone in feeling like we don’t belong sometimes. Let’s make it a point to celebrate each other’s wins, to be honest about our own struggles, and to recognize that we’re all in this together.

Moving Forward

I often think about Sarah, Rebecca, and all the other women I’ve seen break through their self-doubt. They haven’t vanquished it completely, but they’ve learned to quiet that voice and keep going anyway. It’s not about eliminating imposter syndrome entirely—it’s about choosing to believe in ourselves, even on the days when it feels hard. Because the truth is, we are worthy. We are enough. And we’re already exactly where we’re meant to be.