You walk into the office and smile, greeting your colleagues as if everything is fine. You finish your tasks, attend meetings and even hear praise for your work. Yet deep inside, a voice whispers, You do not belong here. They will find out you are not as capable as they think. This constant fear of being exposed as a fraud, even when you are doing well, is the painful reality of imposter syndrome.

In counselling, I recall a conversation with Daniel (name changed) who shared how he lived with this feeling every day. “I have the qualifications, I have achieved promotions, but I still feel like I do not deserve to be here,” he said. Whenever his manager complimented him, instead of feeling proud, he dismissed it as luck. He worked harder than everyone else, not because he loved the job, but because he feared being discovered as inadequate.

Imposter syndrome thrives in silence. On the outside, people may see you as confident and successful. Inside, however, you may carry thoughts such as: I fooled them again. If I make one mistake, they will realize I do not belong. I am not as smart as everyone thinks I am. These thoughts create constant pressure and make achievements feel empty.

The weight of imposter syndrome often leads to burnout. Because you feel you must prove yourself, you work extra hours, take on more responsibility and push yourself beyond healthy limits. At the same time, you rarely acknowledge your success. Instead, you focus only on mistakes or what you could have done better. This cycle of striving and self-doubt keeps you stuck in fear.

There are ways to begin breaking free. One helpful approach is documenting your successes. Write down positive feedback, completed projects and achievements, no matter how small. When doubt appears, looking back at this record reminds you that your success is not luck but evidence of your skills and dedication.

Another strategy is challenging the inner critic. Instead of accepting the thought I am not good enough, ask yourself, What evidence supports this belief, and what evidence goes against it? For Daniel, this exercise revealed that while he feared being exposed, he could also point to real examples of growth and contribution. Slowly, this helped him recognize that imposter syndrome was distorting his self-image.

Feeling like an imposter does not mean you are one. It means you are human, carrying doubts that many capable people experience. With support and practical tools, it is possible to step out of the shadow of self-doubt and embrace your achievements with confidence.

You do not have to carry this alone. Support is available, and taking the first step can change everything. Visit www.drkaranvirsingh.com and book your free 20-minute session today.