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What if the voice in your head telling you “you don’t belong here”… isn’t telling you the truth?

In this episode of The Marionette Dolls Podcast, we unpack imposter syndrome—what it actually feels like, where it comes from, and why it tends to show up the most in people who are capable but don’t feel like they are.

We talk about the internal narrative of “they’re going to find me out,” how background and lived experience shape self-perception, and why success can feel uncomfortable or even undeserved—especially when you’re stepping into spaces that weren’t built with you in mind.

Sarah shares her personal journey from foster care to military life to pursuing psychology, and how breaking out of expected paths can feel less like achievement… and more like you’re doing something you’re not supposed to be doing.

This episode isn’t about “fixing” imposter syndrome overnight—it’s about understanding the cycle, recognizing the patterns, and learning how to move forward even when that voice is still there.

Because you’re not accidentally successful.

If you want to explore this topic further or need support, here are some helpful resources:

• American Psychological Association
  https://www.apa.org
  
  (Research-based articles on self-doubt, cognitive patterns, and mental health)
• National Institute of Mental Health
  https://www.nimh.nih.gov
  
  (General mental health education and research-backed information)
• Anxiety Canada
  https://www.anxietycanada.com
  
  (Helpful tools for managing anxious thoughts and self-doubt patterns)
• The Impostor Phenomenon
  (Foundational work on imposter syndrome and how it develops)

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