When I got my first freelance design client, I was thrilled… for about five minutes.
Then came the voice:
“You’re not good enough. You’re faking it. They’ll figure it out soon.”
That, my friend, is Imposter Syndrome — and if you’re starting a new career or taking your first steps into the creative world, there’s a good chance you’ve felt it too.
The truth? You’re not alone. I’ve been there, and I want to share with you what helped me push through that voice, keep showing up, and start believing in my own value. Because you deserve to be where you are — even if your inner critic says otherwise.
What is imposter syndrome — and why is it so sneaky?
Imposter Syndrome is that inner fear that you’re not truly qualified, that you’ve somehow tricked people into thinking you’re capable — and sooner or later, they’ll “find out.”
It often shows up as:
- That nagging self-doubt before a meeting.
- Downplaying your own accomplishments.
- Comparing your messy process to someone else’s polished results.
- Working extra hours just to “make up” for feeling inadequate.
Here’s what I wish someone had told me: these feelings are common, especially when you’re ambitious and stepping into something new.
The hardest part is recognizing that it’s all part of the journey. You’re not a fraud, you’re a beginner — and that’s exactly where you need to be right now.
Why it hits hardest at the beginning
When you’re starting out, everything feels like a test. You don’t have a long list of achievements to lean on yet, so your brain fills in the blanks with fear. You assume everyone else knows more than you — because they look more confident.
But here’s the trick: confidence often comes after action, not before it. So don’t wait to feel 100% ready. You probably never will.
I had to remind myself that it’s okay not to know everything, and sometimes, that lack of knowledge is what pushes you to grow the most.
Step 1: Notice your thoughts without judging them
Early on, I started catching myself thinking things like:
- “I don’t belong in this meeting.”
- “I just got lucky.”
- “They made a mistake hiring me.”
At first, I’d beat myself up for having those thoughts. But then I learned to just observe them, like clouds passing by.
Try this:
- Write your doubtful thoughts in a journal.
- Ask: “Is this a fact or a feeling?”
- Replace it with a neutral truth. For example:
Instead of “I don’t know what I’m doing,” try “I’m learning something new, and that’s okay.”
Awareness is the first step to quieting the inner critic. Over time, I realized that those thoughts didn’t define me — they were just part of the process.
Step 2: Stop comparing your beginning to someone else’s middle
One of the worst things I did early on was compare my work-in-progress to designers with 10+ years of experience. Of course, I came up short — I was just starting.
Social media doesn’t help. You scroll past someone’s perfect mockup or logo reel and think, “Why bother?”
But remember:
- You’re seeing their best 5%.
- You don’t see the 95% of self-doubt, revisions, and learning they went through.
Focus on your progress, not perfection. Ask yourself:
- What did I learn this week?
- What mistake taught me something valuable?
- What can I improve without self-criticism?
It’s easy to think everyone else is ahead, but the reality is, everyone starts somewhere. Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle. Your journey is uniquely yours.
Step 3: Keep a “win log” — it’s better than a résumé
One thing that changed my mindset was creating a “win log.” Every time something positive happened — even tiny stuff — I wrote it down.
- Finished a personal project? Logged it.
- Got a compliment from a peer? Logged it.
- Learned a new shortcut in Figma? Logged it.
On days when Imposter Syndrome came knocking, I’d read that list. And guess what? It reminded me I was growing, even if slowly.
This simple practice helped me realize how much I was achieving — no matter how small. It was a constant reminder that I was moving forward.
Step 4: Talk to people who’ve been there
When I first told a mentor I felt like a fraud, she smiled and said,
“Oh yeah, me too. Last week.”
That shook me. I assumed once you were successful, the doubts disappeared. They don’t — but you get better at managing them.
Talk to friends, colleagues, or even LinkedIn connections. You’ll be amazed how many people are feeling the same thing behind their confident emails and LinkedIn posts.
You’re not alone. Opening up about it allows you to normalize those feelings and realize they don’t define your capabilities.
Step 5: Ask questions — without shame
In the beginning, I held back questions because I didn’t want to look “dumb.” But not asking actually slowed me down — and made me feel more isolated.
Then I realized: questions show engagement, not weakness.
Saying “I’m not sure how this works, could you walk me through it?” is not only valid — it shows you’re curious and proactive. And that earns respect.
I had to unlearn the fear of looking uninformed. Asking questions is how we learn, and people appreciate that more than you think.
Step 6: Progress > perfection (always)
I used to think everything I delivered had to be perfect — otherwise, it would “expose me.” I’d spend hours tweaking shadows and aligning things that didn’t matter.
Eventually, I learned: done is better than perfect.
Done teaches you more. Done opens doors. Perfection keeps you stuck.
Now, I aim to get 80% right and leave room to grow. That mindset freed me from creative paralysis — and clients started loving my work more because I delivered faster and asked for feedback earlier.
If you aim for perfection, you’ll never finish. Done work gets better with practice, feedback, and iteration.
Step 7: Surround yourself with the right people
Toxic environments fuel imposter feelings. I’ve learned this the hard way.
If you’re working with people who belittle, compete, or ignore your efforts — it’s not you. It’s the environment.
Seek out:
- Mentors who lift you up
- Communities that encourage learning
- Peers who aren’t afraid to share struggles
You’ll find your confidence rises naturally when you’re not constantly on defense. When you’re around supportive people, your journey becomes more enjoyable, and you grow faster.
Step 8: Practice self-compassion (it’s not cheesy, it’s powerful)
Imagine your closest friend just started a new job and said,
“I’m scared I’m not good enough.”
Would you say, “Yeah, probably”? Of course not. You’d say, “You’re learning, and that’s brave.”
Start saying those things to yourself.
Affirmations I’ve used:
- “I don’t need to be perfect to be valuable.”
- “I can figure things out.”
- “I’m growing every day — that’s success.”
At first, they felt weird. But after a while, they started feeling true. Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you’d offer a friend.
Step 9: Celebrate everything — yes, even the small stuff
The first time I presented a design to a client and they said, “I love it,” I cried a little. Then I went out for ice cream. It wasn’t a huge win on paper — but it meant the world to me.
So celebrate:
- Your first email written with confidence
- Your first feedback received with grace
- Your first week without second-guessing every move
These are the wins that build your foundation. Recognize them, no matter how small. Every step forward counts.
Step 10: Everyone starts at zero — even the greats
I once watched a talk by a world-famous designer who said,
“My first logo? It was awful. But I kept going.”
That hit me. I realized we don’t become confident first and then act.
We act — again and again — and confidence follows.
So if you’re doubting yourself, please know:
You are not a fraud. You are a beginner.
And beginners who keep showing up? They become great.
From zero to design hero — keep creating!
by Cris.