Impostor Syndrome in Overfunctioners: Who Put Me in Charge?!
If you have impostor syndrome, chances are, you were put in charge of too much responsibility at too young of an age. It's terrifying being a (metaphorical) toddler at the wheel, but you learned to drive haphazardly anyway. The survival instinct is an ancient and powerful force.
Perhaps you had to compensate for lack of adequate, skillful caregiving. You carried the shame of the deficits and deformities in your family. You felt the need to hide them from the world by wearing the mask of a capable person, even when underneath you felt like anything but. If this went on too long, you came to believe your own lies, and adopted the image of a highly capable person as if it were your very essence.
Perhaps the disorienting collapse of that identity is a more positive indicator than your fear would have you imagine. Perhaps you have been successful enough to finally get to a place where you can admit to some weaknesses. Perhaps you are finally supported enough to admit when you need help, and loved enough to know you still belong even when you don't have all the answers.
It's tough to be vulnerable. But your willingness to shift the balance of power and hand over responsibilities allows room for others to step into their strengths and contribute to your life in ways you might not have been able to imagine for yourself. Look around you now and see if there's anyone you could hand over some reigns to once in a while. If you ask nicely, they might be happy to help.
