Do you find it hard to accept compliments? Are you often described as a perfectionist? If so, you might be struggling with impostor syndrome. Stop what you’re doing and read this story. You might see yourself in it—or maybe someone close to you fits this description. Sit tight, here comes the story! 🙂

ONCE UPON A TIME

There was a boy named João, born in Brazil. His family was very humble and moved from the Northeast to São Paulo when João was just a child. João, the eldest of three siblings, always worked hard to help his parents. Through sheer effort, he graduated in Information Systems and built a successful career, eventually landing a management role in a multinational company.

João’s team and colleagues admired him greatly. Recognised for his talent and leadership skills, he excelled in everything he did. But nobody could imagine what João was really going through. Inside, he felt like a failure. He believed his success was down to luck and feared one day everyone would find out he wasn’t who they thought he was. João felt insecure, anxious, and terrified of losing everything he had achieved.

Worse still, João thought people might see him as a fraud, an impostor. He believed he only chose his career because it seemed like an easier path in IT—not because he had talent. Constantly comparing himself to his colleagues, João felt inferior and struggled with self-doubt, as if he were an actor in his own life.

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A NEW ADVENTURE ABROAD

One day, João decided to go abroad, hoping a new chapter would erase his insecurities. He wanted to improve his English and dreamed this change would finally make him feel confident. João thought he needed more qualifications—or perhaps even a career change.

He enrolled in an intermediate English course. Within a month, he moved to an advanced level, but he thought it was just luck or the school being generous. João believed, “I’m just lucky because I work hard.”

With a student visa, João searched tirelessly for work and quickly landed a job as a shop assistant at Penneys. A few months later, he was promoted to supervisor. Despite his promotion, João felt even more insecure. As a foreigner, he thought people might realise he wasn’t talented or capable of leadership.

Even in Ireland, João’s insecurities followed him. His intermediate English and cultural differences didn’t stop others from seeing him as an efficient, intelligent, and talented employee. But João kept thinking he didn’t deserve the praise. He worried about his English, his foreign status, and believed one day he’d be exposed as a fraud.

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IMPOSTOR SYNDROME

João’s story is fictional, but it highlights a psychological phenomenon called Impostor Syndrome.

People like João (who could also be Maria—or even you!) feel they must meet impossible standards of perfection. They struggle to believe their success is deserved or a result of their talent and effort. Instead, they credit luck or opportunity, overlooking their own hard work.

Those with impostor syndrome often fixate on their mistakes and dismiss their achievements. Like João, they’re haunted by negative thoughts:

• “What will they think of me?”
• “If I fail, they’ll reject me because I’m a foreigner.”
• “My colleague speaks better English than I do.”

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BEING A FOREIGNER IS NOT A FLAW

Being a foreigner often brings feelings of insecurity and inadequacy. Many feel they need to work harder than others to prove themselves. But who said being different is a disadvantage? Is this belief rooted in societal prejudice?

Think about it: being a foreigner is just one of your many traits—not a limitation. It’s part of what makes you unique. Instead of letting it hold you back, use it as a strength.

You deserve credit for your talents. But before seeking validation from others, start believing it yourself.

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SELF-ACCEPTANCE IS KEY

Accepting yourself doesn’t mean settling for less. Improve your skills, like your English or work performance, but remember: when you make mistakes, it’s okay. You did your best at that moment.

Stop comparing yourself to others, especially native speakers, and don’t let self-doubt take over. Embrace who you are. Your accent is part of your identity—it’s not a flaw, just a characteristic.

When you compare yourself to others, it’s easy to think they’re “better.” But you’ve come so far. If you can make an impression speaking a second language, the credit is all yours. Recognise your achievements and own your success.

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ABANDON PERFECTIONISM AND SEEK SUPPORT

Let go of impossible standards. Build self-confidence, stop seeking external validation, and be kinder to yourself. Success is deserved—and once you believe that, you’ll feel at home in your own achievements.

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Feeling like João? Take action today.

Impostor Syndrome and self-doubt can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face them alone. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a proven approach to help challenge these negative beliefs and build lasting self-confidence.

If you’re looking to build more confidence and work through self-doubt, booking a CBT therapy session could be a helpful step. You’ve earned your success, and it’s time to believe in it.  Book a therapy session here.