Does Imposter Syndrome Ever Go Away? The Truth No One Tells You
“I’ll stop feeling like this once I’m more successful.”
Sound familiar? If you’ve whispered this to yourself after a big win—or just before the moment you’ve worked tirelessly for—you’re in good company.
But here’s the truth that so many of us wish we knew earlier: Imposter syndrome doesn’t go away. It evolves.
Imposter syndrome, that nagging voice inside your head that tells you you’re not good enough and undermines your achievements. It’s basically an internal gaslighting mechanism, and it gets even louder the more you acheive.
Success Doesn't Erase It—It Shifts the Goalposts
It’s easy to believe that climbing the ladder, collecting accolades, or crossing off a big, long-held goal would “fix” imposter syndrome. After all, recognition should silence those nagging doubts, right?
Not quite.
What really happens for most people is that every new milestone raises the stakes. You suddenly find yourself with more expectations, more people watching, and more opportunities to worry about whether you’re truly good enough.
Think about some of the most accomplished people across industries. CEOs leading billion-dollar companies. Award-winning artists with global followings. Olympic athletes breaking records. Behind closed doors, many of them still wonder, Was that just luck? Did I really deserve this?
Imposter syndrome is sneaky like that. It shows up not when you’re unqualified, but often when you’re most visible. When success brings more eyes, higher standards, and the pressure to prove you belong.
>> Get insights on what imposter syndrome is and how to deal with it in Imposter Syndrome: Why You’re Not a Fraud (Even if You Feel Like One)
The Real Problem? Believing It’s Supposed to Disappear
There’s a persistent myth that confidence is the cure for imposter syndrome. That the day you “arrive”—whatever that looks like for you—is the day you finally feel 100% worthy of the space you occupy.
But imposter syndrome isn’t necessarily about low self-esteem. Many times, it’s a natural byproduct of ambition, high standards, and a genuine desire to show up and do meaningful work.
It tends to surface when you’re:
Growing in ways that stretch you beyond your comfort zone
Taking big risks or entering uncharted territory
Caring deeply about the impact you want to make
Does any of that sound like a bad thing? Not at all.
If anything, imposter syndrome often appears when you’re doing something brave. And that’s worth celebrating, not shaming.
No, It Doesn’t Go Away—but You Can Learn to Manage It
The common misconception is that imposter syndrome needs to be eliminated entirely. But here’s the thing most people don’t realize: the goal isn’t to get rid of it. It’s to renegotiate your relationship with it.
Acknowledging its presence is a huge first step. When you can name what you’re experiencing as imposter syndrome, you take its power away. You stop internalizing the doubts and start seeing them for what they are: noisy background thoughts, not facts.
>> Did you know? There are 5 Types of Imposter Syndrome - Get the Guide to Learn More with Tips to Manage
Here’s What Can Help
While there isn’t a magic solution to make imposter syndrome disappear, there are tangible strategies to help you manage it so it doesn’t hold you back.
1. Talk About It
One of the simplest and most effective ways to disarm imposter syndrome is to give it a voice. Open up to trusted friends, mentors, or peers about how you feel.
You’ll likely hear “Me too” more often than you’d expect. The more we normalize these conversations, the less power imposter syndrome has over us.
2. Track Your Wins
Whether it’s a digital folder or a handwritten journal, keep a “brag file” of your accomplishments. Big or small, anything that makes you proud belongs in there.
Revisit it regularly, especially during moments of doubt. Seeing tangible evidence of your achievements helps counteract that inner critic.
3. Reframe the Discomfort
Instead of interpreting imposter feelings as a failure, try reframing them as evidence that you’re stretching and growing.
That tightrope walk of doubt often accompanies meaningful growth. Repeat after me: “This discomfort means I’m evolving.”
4. Focus on Your Impact
Shift your focus from how you’re being perceived to how your work is helping others. Instead of asking, Am I good enough?, try asking, How can I contribute?
When you reconnect with the value you bring and the people you support, it becomes easier to quiet those self-doubts.
5. Allow Doubt and Success to Coexist
Here’s a little-known truth about confidence: it doesn’t mean the total absence of doubt. It means you’re willing to take action despite the doubt.
You can feel like you’re not enough and still achieve extraordinary things. The key is not letting that doubt drive your decisions.
Final Truth
You don’t outgrow imposter syndrome.
What you do outgrow is the belief that you’re alone in feeling this way.
Once you stop letting those lingering doubts convince you that something’s inherently wrong with you, you’ll start seeing imposter syndrome for what it really is: A sign that you’re stepping up, taking risks, and doing things that matter.
The bravest thing you can do? Keep going anyway.