Uncomfortable Truth: You Should Feel Like an Imposter Sometimes

Here’s my (possibly unpopular) opinion: you’re supposed to feel uncomfortable. In fact, if you’re never wrestling with self-doubt, you’re probably not growing. That gnawing voice that says you don’t belong? It might just be the best proof you do, because it means you’re stretching yourself, not coasting on autopilot.

Let's put this on the table: the "imposter phenomenon" isn't some dire syndrome to cure. It’s a normal reaction to stepping up in life. It’s not even listed as a mental disorder in the DSM-5. Professionals call it a pattern of experience or a phenomenon, not a disease, because it’s flexible, fluid, and, frankly, expected when you care about what you’re doing. Sometimes it overlaps with anxiety and depression, but to me, self-doubt when tackling new skills, jobs, or roles is a sign of engagement, not dysfunction.

I say this as someone who’s been through challenging, doubt-packed environments. When I was in boot camp, it was uncomfortable, constantly. Every day, I wondered if I was good enough or strong enough to make it. The discomfort was the point. Likewise, as a leader, I’ve lost sleep questioning myself. If you aren’t a little uneasy about the responsibility you carry, are you really taking it seriously? The discomfort isn’t a failing; it’s an invitation to grow.

That feeling hasn’t faded as my life has changed, either. When I started my running journey, I constantly wondered if I would ever stop looking awkward, all short legs stumbling, a baby elephant stomping around. When I was earning my PhD, I felt like I didn’t belong in the group and had no idea what I was doing. Writing a book has started this feeling all over again. Furthermore, as a mother, I’m pretty sure I still feel this way, even though my child is an adult. In war, every part of my mindset was challenged.

But isn’t this exactly what draws us to the underdog story? Not because the hero always had confidence, the right tools, and a cheering squad assuring them they deserved success. We root for the underdog because the real transformation happens when they stop waiting for the world’s permission to succeed. Instead, they recognize that taking the next step usually comes bundled with hard, sometimes ugly self-realization and uncomfortable truths.

Progress means facing fear and doubt exposed by each new challenge, not hiding from it.

We talk too much about “overcoming” imposter feelings, like they’re some enemy to defeat or eradicate. That, in my view, misses the mark. These feelings don’t need to be dissolved; they need to be recognized as part of stepping up and taking ownership of your strengths and weaknesses. When you push past challenges and prove yourself, especially to yourself, you forge real confidence. Not the surface-level “fake it ‘til you make it” variety, but confidence that’s tested and earned.

So yes, this may be an unpopular take: you should feel like an imposter sometimes. Don’t rush to make those doubts disappear; they’re signposts, marking the edge of your comfort zone. Instead of pathologizing them, thank them for flagging your growth curve. The key is not to let them paralyze you, but to let them sharpen your focus and determination.

If you’re waiting for the day you never feel like a fraud, you’ll be waiting forever, or worse, you’ll have stopped growing. Embrace that uneasy feeling. See it as evidence that you’re daring, that you care, that you’re moving forward. True growth means carrying your imposter doubts with you and building your confidence by overcoming, not denying, the discomfort.

Journey of Growth