Is imposter syndrome just another form of self-sabotage for women?
My LinkedIn feed has been filled with discussions about “imposter syndrome,” which got me thinking
Nahid de Belgeonne, “the nervous system whisperer” is an Author and somatic movement educator. She specialises in helping clients through burnout, anxiety, and trauma-related issues with The Soothe Programme.
Hello! How’s your week going? I’ve recently started posting on LinkedIn—if you’re on there and have enjoyed my teaching, I’d truly appreciate a review.
Lately, my LinkedIn feed has been filled with discussions about “imposter syndrome,” which got me thinking—I’m not sure it’s a real thing. While I fully support self-awareness, do we really want to convince women (or anyone) that they’re suffering from a syndrome? After working with people for 20 years, I’ve learned that everyone processes experiences in their own way. Helping individuals understand their emotions and navigate them effectively is far more nuanced than a one-size-fits-all approach.
That’s what I’m exploring in my latest post, and I’d love to hear your thoughts!
If I had a daughter who told me she was struggling with imposter syndrome, I would gently steer her away from the label and encourage her to get curious about why she feels that way.
Maybe she’s in a new job, facing a steep learning curve, and feeling out of her depth. I’d remind her that this is normal—learning something new often brings moments of self-doubt, but that’s where real growth happens. I’d encourage her to put in the time, get up to speed, and embrace the challenge rather than fear it.
Perhaps she doesn’t feel heard at work. In that case, I’d suggest she write down her concerns, seek out a mentor, or have a conversation with her manager about how to best use her skills.
If she were feeling overwhelmed by her workload, I’d sympathise—modern life moves fast, and we’re all expected to be endlessly productive. But we’re not machines. We need time to repair, restore, and recalibrate. I’d encourage her to work in focused blocks, alternating deep concentration with moments of mental rest.
In a world obsessed with categorising and labelling every experience, maybe it’s time we rethink imposter syndrome.
What if, instead of empowering us, the term holds us back? What if it’s just another way we convince ourselves that we don’t belong or aren’t good enough—when, in reality, we’re simply stepping outside our comfort zone?
Turning a universal human experience into a “syndrome” gives it power over us. It shifts the focus from growth to inadequacy, making us feel undeserving of our place. But discomfort isn’t a sign that we don’t belong; it’s a sign that we’re expanding into something new.
Instead of clinging to the imposter narrative, we should recognise that the space between knowing and not knowing is just transition. We’re not outsiders—we’re in the process of becoming.
Rather than fixating on uncertainty, ask deeper questions:
Am I simply facing a steep learning curve?
Do I have enough time to get up to speed before I’m expected to deliver?
Am I prioritising the right things, or stretching myself too thin?
Have I put in the work?
Do I know what I need to learn to feel more confident?
Have I sought out the right people for guidance and support?
Not one of my clients has ever come to me to “fix” their imposter syndrome. Instead, they come to work through burnout, anxiety, and trauma. Not one of my brilliant friends—regardless of age, gender, or background—has ever claimed to suffer from it.
If I had a daughter, I’d hope to raise her with the confidence to face challenges head-on, to get curious, to take action—without turning self-doubt into self-attack.
“If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts; but if he will be content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties.”
― Francis Bacon, The Oxford Francis Bacon IV: The Advancement of Learning
STOP PRESS: Soothe Weekend Retreat on 10th - 12th October at The Quaives, a lovely retreat space in Kent, 51 minutes from St Pancras. I’ve already sold the cottages. but have left two rooms in the house ( 1 ensuite and 1 shared bathroom), 3 beds in the scandi-style dorm and 4 ensuite rooms 5 minutes car drive at the Tor Spa. I’m only taking 12 people. Single occupancy is £1150 / twin is £795 pp - bring a friend / Dorm £650pp. Let me know if you would like to come.
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Have a lovely weekend.
Stay human,
Nahid x
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