I'm-poster

Source: Dev.to

Introduction

“Oh man, how do these guys who are younger than me beating me at my own game?"
"Maybe if I am working twice as hard I could surpass them?"
"I need to be really smart to do those things."
"I am not sure this is for me and people here are way better than me."
"They are going to find out that I am not good enough soon and I am going to be sacked.”

These thoughts have haunted me throughout my decade‑long career. In my formative years I accepted them as truth without question, and staying in my own shell only made things worse.

My First Encounter with Imposter Syndrome

It was my third year when my manager asked, “Where do you think you rank in this appraisal cycle?”
Without thinking I replied, “I will be within the top 3.” The competition was fierce—10–15 people were being evaluated. My manager smiled, and I immediately thought, “Who am I kidding? Top 3! What a joke. He must be laughing at how deluded I am.” I never asked him for feedback afterward, but his question lingered, making me uncomfortable and convinced I was a poser.

When the appraisal results arrived, I was pleasantly surprised to see that I had been rated well. I never discussed the outcome with my manager, and I’m not sure it would have helped. Over time, our collaboration grew stronger, and the doubt faded. It took time and practice to reach the level of skill I expected of myself.

Ongoing Experiences

Different projects brought new forms of imposter syndrome. It would appear, disappear, and reappear. A major source of the feeling was constant comparison with peers, using competition as a personal yardstick. I even confided in my colleagues about my insecurities; they responded by pointing out areas where they felt out‑performed by me.

Imposter syndrome is a universal feeling. The key is to get comfortable with it, recognize that it will be present for a while, and use it as a reality check to stay grounded. No matter how much you study or develop your skills, there will always be someone who outperforms you, and they likely feel the same way about you.

Lessons Learned

• Acknowledge the feeling rather than suppress it.
• Avoid using competition as a personal scale; view it as a motivator, not a verdict.
• Share your experience. Many people hide their doubts, but speaking up can reduce the isolation.
• Post your work. It’s better to receive real feedback than to let imagination generate imagined criticism.

Conclusion

This is my experience with imposter syndrome, and I know many of you hold back from sharing because of the same doubts. Don’t let it stop you. Post, learn from others’ reactions, and keep moving forward.

Now, I’m‑a‑poster. If you read “I am a poster,” you’re right; if you read “I am an imposter,” you’re right again. (The AI skincare routine mentioned is in the first comment; the offer ends soon.)