How to Deal With Impostor Syndrome as a Woman in the Interior Design Industry

Impostor syndrome is one of those things we rarely talk about openly — yet many women in design live with it every day.

It doesn’t show up loudly.It doesn’t always feel like fear.

Most of the time, it sounds like a quiet thought in the background:

“I’m not sure I’m ready yet.”

If you’ve ever had that thought, you’re not alone.

I’ve been there many, many times.

And this is exactly why I want to talk about impostor syndrome — not as something to “fix”, but as something we can learn to live with in a healthier way.

What Impostor Syndrome Actually Feels Like (In Real Life)

What I’ve noticed, especially when you work as a woman in the design industry,

is that impostor syndrome usually doesn’t stop you from working.

You still take projects.

You still study.

You still show up.

From the outside, everything looks fine.

But internally, there’s a constant second layer of thinking.

You double-check decisions you’ve already made.

You hesitate before sharing ideas you know are solid.

You wait before taking the next step — just to be “a bit more ready”.

And somehow, a bit more turns into months.

Sometimes years.

Sometimes, because of this, it never happens at all.

And what’s even worse is that, over time,

this doesn’t just affect your work —it starts to stop you from fully living your life.

My Personal Experience With It

For a long time, I believed there was a certain level I had to reach before I could fully step into my role as a designer.

More education.

More experience.

More confidence.

I kept moving the finish line.

No matter what I achieved, there always seemed to be someone better.

Someone more confident.

Someone who looked like they belonged more naturally.

And very often, that person was also very confident online — which didn’t help.

Slowly, without really noticing, I started shrinking myself.

Not dramatically.

Just enough to stay “safe”.

How Impostor Syndrome Quietly Shapes a Career

Impostor syndrome doesn’t say “stop”.

It says “maybe later”.

Maybe don’t raise your prices yet.

Maybe don’t share that project.

Maybe don’t speak up in that meeting.

It sounds reasonable.

Responsible, even.

But over time, those small hesitations add up.

You end up with a career that looks busy from the outside,bbut doesn’t feel fully aligned on the inside.

Not because you’re incapable —but because you’re constantly negotiating your own worth.

Why So Many Women in Design Experience This

This isn’t random.

And it’s not a personal failure.

Many women grow up learning to be careful, prepared, and polite.

We learn to earn space instead of simply taking it.

So when we work in design — a field where vision, taste, and personal perspective matter — doubt naturally becomes louder.

You’re not just delivering a service.

You’re saying: this is how I see things.

And that can feel uncomfortable when you’ve been trained to ask for permission first.

The Trap of “One More Course”

For a long time, I thought that signing up for another course, earning an extra certification, or reading another book would eventually make me feel prepared.

And I used to purchase many courses that I never watched.

Books that I never read.

Here's the spoiler: It didn’t.

And it probably never will.

Do you know why?

Because I realised that preparation doesn’t eliminate impostor syndrome.

Taking action does.

You don’t wake up one day thinking,

“Great. Today I feel completely qualified. Let’s start.”

If such a day exists, I haven’t encountered it yet.

Action often comes before confidence.

Confidence typically follows quietly afterward.

What Actually Helped Me Deal With

Impostor Syndrome

What changed things for me wasn’t confidence.

It was attention.

I stopped asking myself, “Am I good enough?”

And started asking, “Is what I’m doing useful to someone else?”

That shift sounds simple, but it changes everything.

When you shift your focus from self-criticism to making a contribution,

impostor syndrome significantly diminishes in influence.

It doesn't vanish completely—it simply becomes less dominant.

A Healthier Way to Think About

Impostor Syndrome

Impostor syndrome doesn't necessarily signal that something is wrong.

In some ways, it's similar to pain.

Life includes experiencing pain when you miss someone.

It's an emotion that indicates you care.

Often, it signifies that:

• you care about your work

• you're growing

• you're engaged in something meaningful

People who are indifferent rarely question themselves.

They tend to question others.

Managing impostor syndrome doesn't mean silencing it entirely.

It means not allowing it to make decisions for you.

Fear can accompany you. It just doesn't get to take control.

You’re Not Behind

If you’re a woman in design who feels like she’s constantly one step behind,

you probably aren’t.

You’re building.

You’re learning.

You’re evolving.

And learning how to deal with impostor syndrome — gently, consistently,

imperfectly — is often part of that process.

Final Thought

If these reflections resonate with you and you’d like to explore these topics more deeply — professional identity, confidence, and building a career in design on your own terms — you can join my mailing list.

That’s where I share thoughts that don’t fit into short content.

Without pressure.

Without pretending.

And without needing to feel “ready”.

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