Imposter Syndrome Strikes Again (aka Inner Karen's mic is on)
- Karen Gaub
- Jan 21
- 5 min read
Imposter Syndrome Strikes Again (aka Inner Karen’s mic is on) is a relatable, slightly sassy deep dive into the voice of self-doubt that loves to show up right when you’re leveling up. In this post, we’ll break down what imposter syndrome really is, why it hits high-achievers so hard, and how “Inner Karen” convinces you you’re not ready (even when you absolutely are). You’ll walk away with practical reframes, simple confidence-building shifts, and a reminder you can keep growing without letting Inner Karen narrate the whole story.
Imposter Syndrome has a new name… meet
Inner Karen (And yes, she has opinions.)
If you’ve ever walked into a meeting confident…and then immediately forgot how to form a sentence…
If you’ve ever accomplished something big…and then thought, “Wow. Can’t wait for them to realize I’m a fraud.”
If you’ve ever had a perfectly normal moment of learning, growing, or being human…and your brain responded with, “Congrats. You’re embarrassing.”
Welcome. You’re not broken. You’re just dealing with Imposter Syndrome—and in my world, we call it Inner Karen.
Inner Karen is that wildly unhelpful inner voice that tries to protect you from rejection, judgment, and failure… by talking you out of visibility, growth, and confidence.
She’s not the boss of you. But she sure acts like it.
Let’s break her down.
What Is Imposter Syndrome (Really)?
Imposter syndrome is the experience of feeling like you’re not as capable as others think you are — even when you have proof you are.
It shows up as thoughts like:
“I don’t know what I’m doing.”
“They’re going to figure out I’m not qualified.”
“I just got lucky.”
“Everyone else has it together except me.”
“I can’t speak up until I’m 100% ready.”
And here’s the kicker: Imposter syndrome isn’t a sign you’re unqualified. It’s often a sign you’re stretching.
You’re learning something new. You’re stepping into leadership. You’re taking up more space. You’re doing something that matters to you.
Inner Karen doesn’t like that.
Meet Inner Karen: The Voice That Thinks Fear = Fact
Inner Karen is basically your brain’s protective system… wearing a blazer and holding a clipboard.
She doesn’t care that you’re capable. She cares that you’re safe.
And to your nervous system, “safe” often means:
staying liked
avoiding discomfort
not being seen making mistakes
not risking criticism
not doing anything that might trigger shame
Inner Karen’s goal isn’t to help you grow. Her goal is to keep you from getting hurt.
Unfortunately… she uses worst-case scenario storytelling as her primary leadership strategy.
What Inner Karen Sounds Like in Real Life
Inner Karen isn’t always loud. Sometimes she’s subtle — like background noise that becomes your normal.
She sounds like:
“Don’t speak up. You’ll sound stupid.”
“Wait until you’re more prepared.”
“You should be further along by now.”
“You’re not a real leader.”
“Everyone else is doing better than you.”
“If you can’t do it perfectly, don’t do it at all.”
And the more ambitious, high-achieving, and self-aware you are…the more creative Inner Karen gets.
She adapts.
She upgrades.
She keeps showing up in different outfits.
The 5 Most Common “Inner Karen Disguises”
Imposter syndrome doesn’t show up the same way for everyone. It often hides behind familiar patterns that look productive… but feel exhausting.
1) The Perfectionist
“If it’s not flawless, it’s failure."
Inner Karen’s favorite strategy: keep you polishing and overthinking until you never hit “send.”
What it protects you from: criticism
What it costs you: momentum
2) The Expert
“I can’t start until I know everything.” You convince yourself you need one more training, one more certification, one more book… before you’re allowed to begin.
What it protects you from: being wrong
What it costs you: growth
3) The Soloist
“If I need help, I don’t deserve it.” You over function. You carry too much. You don’t ask. You prove you’re “fine.”
What it protects you from: vulnerability
What it costs you: support
4) The Natural Genius
“If it doesn’t come easily, I must be bad at it.” You mistake effort for incompetence.
What it protects you from: feeling inadequate
What it costs you: resilience
5) The Superwoman
“If I can do it all, they’ll never doubt me.” You stay busy to stay worthy. You burn out and call it “drive.”
What it protects you from: disapproval
What it costs you: peace
Why Imposter Syndrome Hits High Achievers the Hardest
Because the more you care… the more pressure you feel to get it right. You’re not imagining the stakes. You’re not “too sensitive." You’re not lacking confidence.
You’re often experiencing a mix of:
high expectations
comparison
visibility pressure
identity shifts (new role, new season, new level)
fear of letting people down
And your brain responds with a protective message:
“If we stay small, we stay safe.”
But that’s not safety. That’s survival mode.
Here’s the Reframe: Discomfort Isn’t Danger. It’s Data.
Imposter syndrome doesn’t mean stop. It means you’re doing something brave enough to matter. Inner Karen interprets discomfort as a warning sign. But discomfort is often a growth sign.
It’s your brain saying:
“We’ve never been here before.”
That’s not a red flag. That’s a receipt.
You’re evolving.
How to Quiet Inner Karen (Without Trying to Delete Her)
Let’s be honest: Inner Karen isn’t going anywhere.
She’s like that coworker who keeps replying-all with “just circling back” energy. Annoying? Yes. Permanent? Also, yes.
The goal isn’t to destroy her.
The goal is to stop letting her drive.
Here are a few quick ways to do that:
1) Name the Voice
You can’t challenge what you don’t recognize.
Try: “Oh, that’s Inner Karen again.”
Instant separation. Instant clarity.
2) Add This Sentence: “And that might not be true.”
Inner Karen loves acting like she’s psychic.
Try: “They’re judging me… and that might not be true.”
“I’m behind… and that might not be true.”
“I’m not good enough… and that might not be true.”
You’re not forcing positivity. You’re interrupting the certainty of fear.
3) Shift From Performance to Intention
Confidence isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s just alignment.
Ask:
“What do I want to stand for here?”
“How do I want to show up?”
“What matters more than being impressive?”
When you lead from intention, you stop auditioning for approval.
4) Build Self-Trust Through Micro-Moves
You don’t “think” your way into confidence. You move your way into it.
One small action at a time:
send the email
speak once in the meeting
apply even if you’re nervous
ask the question
stop over-explaining
take up space
Trust grows through evidence.
A Quick Reality Check: You’re Not an Imposter. You’re In Process.
You don’t have to feel fearless to lead well. You just have to be willing to keep showing up while fear talks.
Because the truth is…
You’re not behind. You’re not a fraud. You’re not “faking it.”
You’re a human being doing meaningful work — and that always comes with some uncertainty.
Leadership becomes powerful when it becomes human again.
Reflection Question (For the Real Ones)
Where is Inner Karen showing up in your life right now — and what might she be trying to protect you from?
And if you didn’t listen to her for one week…what would you do differently?
Want Support Rewriting the Inner Narrative?
If Inner Karen has been running your confidence, your boundaries, or your leadership lately — you don’t have to navigate that alone. Roseroot Coaching offers a FREE Imposter Detox program preview - you can grab it at our website www.roserootcoaching.com
At Roseroot Coaching, I help high-achieving humans build self-trust, create momentum, and lead with clarity (without burning out or pretending they have it all together).
When you’re ready, I’m here.
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