Imposter Syndrome: Why We Don't Feel Legitimate

You are more legitimate than you think.

 Yes, yes, you read me correctly.

You who tell yourself all the time that you don't belong, that everyone will end up discovering that you're not up to it.

This famous imposter syndrome is much more common than you think. You are not alone in feeling this way, and… I insist on it, you are much more legitimate than you think.

So, let's take the guilt out of all that and understand why, in reality, you have every reason to feel legitimate – even when you doubt.

Why you are already legitimate despite your doubts

You have skills that others don't know about.

It is often believed that to be legitimate, you have to know everything. But the reality is that legitimacy does not come from knowing everything, but from sharing what you know.
Examples :
• Are you good at cooking? Someone is struggling to cook pasta without it sticking.
• Are you managing your finances well? Others don't even know where to start.
• Did you teach yourself to code? Many people would like to do the same.
What you consider "basic" may be a revelation to someone else.

Even experts doubt

Do you think that ultra-competent people are 100% sure of themselves? That's not true. Most experts have already felt this syndrome.

Examples :
📌 Emma Watson : Despite her iconic role in Harry Potter, Emma Watson has often doubted her legitimacy as an ambassador for women's rights.
📌 Lady Gaga : Before becoming an icon, Lady Gaga went through periods of deep doubt about her place in the music industry.
📌 Steve Jobs : After being ousted from Apple, Steve Jobs thought he would never make his mark on the tech world.
If they had these thoughts too, why not you? It's okay to have doubts, but it doesn't mean you're not legitimate. On the contrary, it proves that you're growing.

If you wait to be "ready", you will never launch yourself

Imposter syndrome loves to make you believe that you have to master everything before you can dare. But the truth is that most people learn as they go.
Those who succeed are not necessarily the best, but those who DARE.

Examples:
• A colleague asks for a promotion even though you have more experience… and he gets it.
• Someone takes on a project even though they know less about it than you… and it works.
• An entrepreneur starts with little means… and builds a successful business.

How to overcome your fears to feel legitimate?

1. Identify your fears and their origins
🔹 Become aware of your limiting thoughts: Note the sentences that often come back to your head (“I’m not good enough”, “I’m going to fail”, “I don’t have enough experience”).
🔹 Understand their origin: Go back to the source of these beliefs (past experiences, education, social comparisons).
🔹 Ask yourself if these fears are rational: Is it based on facts or on biased perception?

2. Change your inner speech
🔹 Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations:
🚫 "I am not capable" → ✅ “I am learning and I am progressing.”
🔹 Use concrete evidence: List your successes, your skills and the times when you overcame a difficulty.
🔹 Talk to yourself like you would to a friend: Encourage and reassure yourself rather than judge yourself harshly.

3. Gradually get out of your comfort zone
🔹 Start with small challenges: Speak in a meeting, publish a post, ask a question in public.
🔹 Expose yourself to what is scary: The more you repeat an action, the more natural and less scary it becomes.
🔹 Remember that failure is part of the process: Accept that every mistake is a learning opportunity.

4. Change your perception of success
🔹 Redefining legitimacy: You don't have to be perfect to be competent.
🔹 Understand that even experts doubt: Read testimonies from entrepreneurs, artists, professionals who have also gone through these doubts.
🔹 Celebrate your victories: Note your progress and the moments when you dared despite fear.

5. Surround yourself with the right people
🔹 Avoid toxic environments: Detach yourself from people who reinforce doubts and lack of confidence.
🔹 Draw inspiration from positive role models: Talk to people who have overcome these fears and who encourage taking action.
🔹 Find a mentor or a support community: Share your experiences with caring people who understand these blocks.

6. Take action despite fear
🔹 Don't wait until you're completely ready: Launch a project, apply for a position, speak up even if you still have some doubts.
🔹 Adopt the 5-second rule: When you hesitate, count to 5 and act before your brain finds an excuse not to do so. (If you want to work on this concept, I invite you to read "The 5 second rules"by Mel Robbins, it's a must!)
🔹 Remember that action precedes confidence: The more we act, the more we strengthen the belief that we are capable.

Remember one thing: Imposter syndrome is an illusion.

You are already legitimate in what you do, even if you don't have all the answers yet.

Have confidence in yourself, dare to step out of your comfort zone, and above all, take action!
Because at the end of the day, you're more legitimate than you think.
Ready to put your fears aside and move forward? ✨