What causes impostor syndrome and how can it be effectively managed?

It's like being super proud of your drawing, but thinking someone else might think it's just a scribble.

Impostor syndrome happens when you feel like you're not as good as people say, even if you did something amazing. It’s like when you ace a test, but then you think, “Oh, I just got lucky.” You might believe that other people are smarter or better at things than you are.

Sometimes, people praise you for doing well, but you don’t believe they’re telling the truth. It’s like if your friend says, “You made a great cake!” but you think, “They just didn’t want to hurt my feelings.” You feel like a fraud, even when others see your real talent.

Think of it like cleaning up after playing with toys, sometimes you’re messy, but that doesn’t mean you can't be tidy. When you do something good, say “I did well!” and remember that everyone makes mistakes.

You can also keep a “win list”, write down the things you're proud of. Next time you feel like a fraud, just look at your list and smile. You’re not a fake, you're just learning!