Unmasking the secret whispers that challenge your professional worth
Do you know that feeling? When everything seems fine — you have the job you supposedly wanted, people praise you, projects go through… but somewhere inside you feel like you’re “playing a part”. Like any moment someone will expose you and say: “Aha! You’re actually not that good!” 😨
Welcome to the world of… Imposter Syndrome! 🎭 That quiet voice whispering that you’re not qualified enough, that you just got lucky, or that everything you achieve is a result of cleverly hiding the fact that you’re… well, an imposter.
This is something many of us experience, no matter what level they are at in their careers. You could be a junior wondering if you even know what you’re doing in Figma, or a seasoned leader asking themselves if they deserve to be in that position. The feeling is there. And it can be incredibly lonely. 😔
But let’s look at this through a slightly different lens. Remember “The Truman Show”?
If you haven’t seen this movie with the wonderful Jim Carrey, I highly recommend it! 🙏
The story is about Truman Burbank, a man living in an idyllic town that is actually a giant studio. His life from birth to the present day is a directed reality show, watched by millions around the world. Everyone around him — his wife, his friend, the neighbors — are actors.
Outwardly, Truman’s life seems perfect — a house, a job, a routine… everything “as it should be”. But somewhere deep down, Truman feels that something isn’t right. There are recurring strange events, people who seem to be following a script… A feeling of fakeness. And this makes him want to escape, to discover the truth about the world beyond what he knows.
Just like Truman, sometimes in our professional world, we feel like we’re “playing a part”. We put on the “professional mask”, talk a certain way, do things we think are expected of us, and not necessarily what comes naturally. Our successes seem like part of a “script”, and internally we wonder when the “director” will show up and say: “Filming’s over! This one’s no good!” 😲
External validation — the title, the salary, the praise — is like the artificial sun in Seahaven. It might be bright, but it doesn’t truly warm your internal insecurity. And just as Truman starts noticing cracks in the “reality” around him, we too start seeing that this “perfection” isn’t our true self.
💡 How to leave the “studio” of Imposter Syndrome?
- Acknowledge the feeling: The first step is to understand you’re not alone. Many, many successful people have gone through this (and continue to!). It’s normal. The feeling of being an imposter often goes hand in hand with the desire to grow and improve. 💪Focus on the process, not just the result: Instead of being afraid of the “final result” (being “exposed”), focus on the learning and effort you put in every day. Value your own progress. 🌱Be authentic: Try to reduce the “playing a part”. The more you are yourself — with your strengths and weaknesses — the less room there will be for the feeling of fakeness. Your unique perspective is valuable! ✨Seek genuine feedback (and mentorship!): Don’t be afraid to ask for constructive criticism. Mentors and experienced colleagues can give you an objective assessment and show you the strengths you might not see yourself. 🤝 (And you know where you can find people like that, right? 😉)Celebrate small wins: Don’t wait for the “big recognition”. Celebrate every successfully completed project, everything you learned, every helpful meeting. These small moments build confidence. 🏆Remember why you started: What ignited your passion for UX? What’s your mission? Connecting with that initial passion can give you strength to keep going, even when the imposter voice is loud. ❤️
Just as Truman risked everything to cross the threshold of the studio and see what was outside, we too need to gather the courage to look beyond our fears and insecurity. The truth is, you are enough. Your skills, your perspective, your empathy… they are valuable. Don’t wait for someone else to give you permission to be an expert. It’s up to you! 💪
Let’s keep learning, growing, and helping each other. Because the most valuable thing we have isn’t the title or the salary, but the people by our side and the feeling that we’re doing something meaningful. 🙏
What about you? Have you felt like an imposter? How do you deal with that feeling? Share in the comments! 💬👇
Good morning, UX! And in case I don’t see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night! was originally published in UX Planet on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
