Dealing with Impostor Syndrome — A Personal Experience

Some time ago, I got some good news: I was accepted as a speaker at a WordCamp Romania. At first, I felt excited — a real moment of validation.
But as the event date approached, another feeling showed up: anxiety and doubt. Thoughts like “why did I apply? What if they realize I’m not as good as they think?” started to appear. Sound familiar? That was impostor syndrome for me.

Distinguishing feelings from facts

The first step was recognizing the difference between what I felt and what was true. Emotions are powerful, but they don’t erase achievements. Being selected as a speaker is concrete evidence that the organizers saw value in what I have to say.

Concrete practices I used (and recommend)

1. Focus on facts, not feelings
   I made a list of concrete reasons I was chosen: relevant experience, successful projects, positive feedback. Whenever anxiety hit, I reviewed that list.
2. Avoid comparisons
   I stopped measuring myself against others. Instead of aiming for perfection, I focused on delivering value to the audience — in whatever form that came.
3. Talk with peers and mentors
   Honest conversations with community friends helped normalize the feelings and provided constructive perspectives. Sometimes a “I felt the same” is more calming than any advice.
4. Structured preparation
   I broke preparation into small steps: outline, write the intro, prepare 2–3 practical examples, short rehearsals. Daily micro-goals turned a big, vague stress into manageable tasks.
5. Practice self-compassion
   When I messed up during rehearsals I didn’t punish myself. I treated mistakes as learning opportunities.
6. Quick practical exercises
   • “3 wins” journal: every night I write three things I did well.
   • 10-minute daily rehearsals in front of a mirror or a friend.
   • Visualization: picturing the stage, a receptive audience, and myself delivering confidently.

What changed

• Stress decreased as I completed small preparation tasks.
• Confidence grew gradually — not overnight but steadily.
• I turned emotion into fuel: instead of paralyzing me, it motivated me to prepare content that matters.

Final thoughts

Impostor syndrome is common and doesn’t mean you’re unqualified. Noticing your feelings, focusing on evidence, preparing consistently, and talking with others are straightforward and effective strategies. You worked for that opportunity — you earned the right to be there.