4. The Quiet Comparison Game: How Imposter Syndrome Shows Up in Motherhood

Reproductively Speaking

If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “Who the hell let me be in charge of these tiny humans?!”, you’re NOT alone.

In today’s episode, we’re talking about something that sooo many moms quietly carry, but rarely name out loud: imposter syndrome. It’s that voice that whispers you’re not doing enough, you’re not patient enough, and you’re not “good” enough.

The truth is, most of us are just trying to keep it together, and honestly, we’re doing the best we can!

Imposter syndrome often shows up during transitions. It thrives in the unknown and feeds off comparison - especially in our social-media-driven world.

The thing about motherhood though? It’s NOT a performance review, and it’s not something you can “ace”. You grow through it, one imperfect day at a time!

If you find yourself struggling with imposter syndrome, I want to encourage you to find evidence of your “enoughness” in the small (but very real) moments of your life. Ultimately, a present mom will always beat a perfect one, and you ARE enough as you are!

Episode Recap:

• How imposter syndrome actually often shows up in motherhood
• Why imposter syndrome tends to hit hardest during big transitions
• Why motherhood isn’t a performance review or a test you can “ace”
• How overcompensating to prove yourself often leads to burnout & the shame loop
• How social media can both normalize motherhood struggles + also fuel comparison & self-doubt
• Realizing that the moms who seem to “have it all together” struggle too
• Ways to work through imposter syndrome & rewrite the narrative
• Why a present mom is always better than a perfect one

**Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health care. If you’re struggling or need support, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional in your area, because you don’t have to go through it alone.

Links/Resources:

• Ep. 3 | What “The Mental Load” Really Looks Like (and Why It’s So Damn Heavy)
• Follow on Instagram @tztherapy
• Check out my website