Hey friend,
Ever have that feeling like you’re just playing pretend in your own life?
Like:
You’re “getting away with it” at work
Your friends are only around because they haven’t caught on yet
You’re one missed deadline away from everything unraveling?
That gnawing feeling like at any moment someone will tap you on the shoulder and say:
“Hey… we figured it out. You don’t belong here.”
Yep. That’s imposter syndrome. And ADHD brains? We’re reeeeeal good at it.
Personal note: I’m writing on this topic this week because I’ve been struggling a bit with imposter syndrome. Not necessarily on the coaching side, but on the marketing side of running a business. This thought keeps popping up of “WHO THE HELL AM I TO RUN A BUSINESS?!” and I have to keep reminding myself…”Why not me?!” and “Everything is figure-out-able.” The problem is that when this hits, it has a trickle down effect. So it’s starts with marketing and then slowly seeps into other parts of my life until I feel like an absolute FRAUD in all aspects. I know it’s a lie. I know I’m good at what I do and that I loooove this work. I know this feeling of being an imposter won’t last, and I have the strength to stay the course. But it still sucks.
Ok. Moving on…
Why This Hits So Damn Hard for ADHDers
Here’s the real talk: imposter syndrome isn’t just self-doubt. It’s a whole mental mind-mess built on internalized shame, perfectionism, comparison, and living in a world that’s never been set up for our kind of brain.
We’re more prone to it because:
We’ve actually missed things — emails, deadlines, birthdays, appointments
We’ve been told (or assumed) we’re “lazy,” “too much,” “not living up to our potential”
We often succeed in ways that feel accidental — hyperfocus sprints, last-minute magic, masking like a pro
And because we see how hard things feel for us that look so easy for everyone else
Throw in social media — where every scroll feels like a reminder that someone else is doing more, faster, better — and it’s a cocktail of “I’m not doing enough” on repeat.
Some Awareness That Might Help
Your effort doesn’t become less valid because it was messy.
That last-minute report? Still counts. The mental gymnastics to show up on time? Still effort.Everyone is winging it — you’re just hyper-aware of your winging.
Neurotypicals second-guess themselves too, but ADHD brains love to replay it on a loop with bonus shame.You’ve likely spent your whole life masking.
Which means you’ve learned to present confidence while internally doubting everything. That disconnect is exhausting — and it fuels imposter syndrome even more.
✨ What You Can Do About It
You don’t need to “think positive” your way out of this. But here’s what can help:
Name it when it’s happening. Saying, “Ah, that’s imposter brain, not reality” creates space between you and the narrative.
Keep a ‘Proof I’m Not a Fraud’ file. Seriously. Save emails, kind messages, notes from clients, a list of wins. ADHD brains forget good stuff FAST. Make it easy to revisit your receipts.
Stop giving comparison the mic. Mute accounts that make you spiral. Follow people who show the mess and the magic. Create an online space that reflects your reality — not an airbrushed fantasy.
Have REAL conversations with trusted people in your life. Share the beauty AND the chaos. You will soon realize most people feel like they’re winging it and learning as they go.
🔥 This Week’s Momentum Move
Write down three moments in the past month where you showed up — even if it wasn’t perfect.
Did you advocate for yourself? Follow through on something hard? Apologize and repair? Try again after a flop?
That’s PROOF! Proof that you’re not faking it — instead you’re being strong in a brain that tries to talk you out of everything.
You’re not behind. You’re not broken. You’re not a fraud.
You’re just living life with an ADHD brain that needs a little more reminding of its own damn brilliance.
You’ve got this. And on the days when it doesn’t feel like it?
Momentum Mondays will be here to remind you.
Big love,
Leah 💛