Reeya Guptaa

Posted on Jan 25

Coding with Imposter Syndrome: The Invisible Battle Most Developers Fight Alone

Are You Infected? Let’s Test for Tech Imposter Syndrome

Before we dive in, let’s run a quick self-check to see if you’re infected by a sneaky virus. Not a computer virus — this one attacks your confidence. For each scenario below, pick the option that sounds most like you.

Learning a new tech language

This is gonna take time; I don’t know React well yet, but I can follow the documentation and build simple components and improve as I practice more.
This is gonna take time; everybody already seems to know React inside out and I am just starting to learn the basics. I don’t think I am cut out for this field.

Asking for help

I’m stuck on this bug. I’ve tried many approaches. I should ask for inputs without wasting anymore time.
I’m stuck on this bug. If I ask for help, they’ll think I don’t know anything. I will keep trying because no way I want to look dumb in front of them.

Completing a project

It works well! It can be improved but I’m proud of my contribution for now.
It works well! But only because I got lucky. If anybody looks closely, they will realize I didn’t really know what I was doing

If you found yourself connecting with option 2 even once, my friend, you’re infected. Virus? Imposter syndrome. Symptoms? Persistent self-doubt. Cure? Keep reading. Hotel? Trivago!

The Virus of Self-Doubt

Valerie Young, Ed.D. (author of The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women) defines imposter syndrome as “a state rooted in perfectionism and a fear of failure, often tied to external validation rather than intrinsic worth.”

So it makes sense why I feel low, whenever despite delivering the required output, on the correct time, if I don’t get appreciations (external validation) , I tend to think my work wasn’t up to the mark (self doubt).

But let’s be real — who doesn’t feel self-doubt now and then? Who doesn’t indulge in negative self-talk when frustration takes over? And who doesn’t strive for perfection, even at the cost of peace of mind? These feelings are so normal and human.

In fact, Imposter syndrome is a deeply human feeling, a byproduct of growth and ambition. While we shouldn’t invalidate these feelings, it’s equally important not to entertain them too much. How? I can help you with that!

At its core, imposter syndrome is less about emotions and more about a psychological flaw. It’s rooted in unrealistic expectations and the social comparisons we create in our minds while observing others. And the good news? Thoughts like these can be changed.

Why Tech Is a Breeding Ground for Self-Doubt

We are often so focused on asking “how I can get rid of it” that we forget the answer to “how” lies in understanding the “W’s”. “Why do I feel this? Where is it coming from? What's triggering this behavior?”

Let’s take a moment to understand the psychological mechanisms behind this feeling:

Social Comparison
Ah, LinkedIn — the place where everyone seems to be achieving more, coding faster, and living the dream life of a “genius developer”. I’ll admit, scrolling through the feed almost every time gives me panic attacks and depressive hits. I know I am not the only one who hates it.

For years, I rationalized this toxic behavior. “I need to see others’ success to know where I’m falling short”, I’d tell myself. It’s a double-edged sword of motivation and self-destruction. On one side, comparison can be a catalyst for growth. On the other, it’s a fast track to burning out your self-confidence.

Some might say it’s negative thinking, but I believe — the only way to know what we lack is by observing what others have more. So, in that sense, sometimes we need to see what others are doing to reflect on where we can improve. But here’s the catch: comparison only works if it fuels action — not despair.

Problem is, online tech communities often showcase only the highlights — the glamorous careers, the perfect code, the unending productivity. This constant exposure fuels the belief that everyone else is ahead, leaving us to feel like we’re falling behind.

Suddenly, your small wins feel invalidated. Your inner voice taunts you:

“You’re still learning? So slow! You’ll never catch up in this unimaginably fast world.”

Sound familiar? And then, we spiral further: Why am I even bothering to learn or do this?

Cognitive Bias
Our brains aren’t always the most rational tools, and cognitive biases often feed into our self-doubt:

Confirmation Bias: You focus on your mistakes and gaps in knowledge while ignoring all the times you’ve succeeded.
Availability Heuristic: You overestimate others’ skills because you’re only seeing their polished, curated work — think impressive GitHub repos or glowing LinkedIn updates.

The Dunning-Kruger Effect
In the early stages of learning, it’s easy to overestimate your abilities (I know so much already!). But as you gain expertise, you realize just how vast the field is and how much you don’t know. This realization often triggers the illusion of inadequacy, even though your competence is actually growing.

Perfectionism
Let’s face it — developers are often perfectionists. We feel like we need to know everything — every technology, every design pattern, every tool. And when we inevitably fall short (because no one knows everything), we beat ourselves up.

But here’s the thing: the best developers embrace imperfection. They know that learning is a lifelong process, not a destination.

The great thing about mindset-driven problems? They’re fixable. It all starts with a shift in perspective. Think of it like balancing yin with yang — replacing negative thoughts with positive ones.

I deeply believe this: There are no miracles. There are only people who are kind enough to help us see our problems from new angles. Miracles come in the form of words, advice, and perspective shifts that transform the way we see ourselves.

Lies Your Inner Critic Tells You

Let’s tackle some of the most toxic self-deprecating beliefs that many of us developers fall prey to. Ready to flip the script?

“Real Developers Don’t Struggle.”

Myth: The best developers write flawless code because they’ve mastered everything about this vast field.
Reality: EVERY developer struggles. Even those legendary “god-level” devs occasionally hit blockers, stare at their screens for hours, pull at their already thinning hairlines, and still fail to come up with “THE EFFICIENT SOLUTION.” Struggle is part of the process, no matter your skill level.
Perspective Shift: Struggles will ALWAYS be there, but you will start liking it if you see them as opportunities to learn. Real devs embrace the process, knowing that every struggle adds to their growth. Growth beats perfection any day!

“If I Ask for Help, They’ll Think I’m Incompetent.”

Myth: Asking questions make you look dumb and incompetent.
Reality: Asking for help actually helps get work done faster. You can either care about staying up with your “smart developer” image and struggle alone or choose to shamelessly seek help and guidance and get your work done!
Perspective Shift: Sure, the lone wolf working in isolation might sound cool, but the real magic happens when we work as a team. Think of it like a school of fish — stronger together. No one knows everything, and here’s the secret: nobody’s actually expecting you to. Collaboration isn’t a sign of weakness — it’s how we win.

“Everyone Else Is Smarter.”

Myth: Everyone around me is more knowledgeable and skilled than I am.
Reality: People tend to showcase their strengths, not their struggles. What you see are their polished highlights, not the countless failures and retries behind the scenes.
Perspective Shift: The truth? Everyone you think is smarter than you is probably thinking someone else is smarter than them. And guess what? There’s someone out there who looks at you and thinks you’re smarter. It’s a chain reaction of overestimations — and sometimes, a little ego boost like this can work in your favor.

How to Crush Self-Doubt Like a Pro

If perspective shifts aren’t enough to pull you out of the self-doubt spiral, let’s explore some practical ways to keep that “imposter virus” in check:

Find your tribe:
I used to hate when people told me I lacked discipline. They weren’t wrong, but it didn’t make hearing it any easier, haha. Over time, though, I realized something: maybe it wasn’t just about discipline. Maybe I was trying to do things alone that are simply easier (and more fun) in a community.

Some habits are tough to build solo — not impossible, but definitely harder. Think about how a gym buddy keeps you motivated and consistent — coding works the same way. Joining a coding group or community normalizes your struggles, keeps you accountable, and reminds you that you’re not alone.

Here’s why it’s a game-changer:

It normalizes the journey: When everyone around you is debugging for hours or struggling with a concept, you realize it’s not “just you.”
It keeps you consistent: A good community pushes you to show up, even on days when motivation feels low.
It helps you stay grounded: Instead of setting unrealistic expectations, you learn what’s actually achievable.
It sparks healthy competition: Being around peers who are growing inspires you to keep leveling up.

Trust me, the benefits of a supportive community are endless. So, whether it’s a Slack channel, Discord group, or local meetup, find your people. Share your struggles, celebrate their wins, and watch how it transforms your journey.

Make Excel your hype buddy!:
For two months, I worked on my skills every day — balancing high-priority tasks and dedicating an hour to each. But after those two months, when I looked back, all I could see were unfinished tasks. I thought, What did I even do? Did I waste all this time?

Here’s the thing: our brains crave instant rewards. When progress is slow and there’s no tangible payoff, it’s easy to feel like your efforts don’t matter. That’s exactly where my self-doubt kicked in. I felt unworthy, useless — even though I was actively improving!

Then I tried something new: tracking my progress. I started documenting every tiny task I completed, every bug fixed, and every hour I worked. And let me tell you — it was a game-changer. Progress, I realized, is often invisible until you make it visible.

Each small win I recorded became a little celebration. Over time, these wins added up, and my sense of accomplishment skyrocketed. Suddenly, I could see how far I’d come, and it felt amazing.

Start documenting your progress. Whether it’s in Excel(email me for excel template), a journal, or a tracking app, write down every small victory. These tiny wins build momentum, boost your confidence, and remind you that no effort is wasted.

Your Journey > Their Highlights
I know its insanely difficult to not not be envious of the people you see on social media soaring high while feeling like the world has moved ahead so much but we are stuck in the same place.

But the truth is, for every flashy success story you see, there’s a late bloomer quietly grinding in the background. For every highlight reel, there’s an untold story of struggle, persistence, and growth.

The real story of tech isn’t about who learns the fastest — it’s about who stays curious, who remains resilient, and who understands that learning is a lifelong journey, not a race to be won.

Why Patience is Powerful

I like to think that success is written for everyone. Afterall That’s what we live for- to get what we want. But our timelines are all different , personal and messy. Until it’s your turn to step into the spotlight, celebrate others. Clap for their wins. Clap for yourself too. Your moment will come, and when it does, you’ll appreciate the journey even more.

Be patient with yourself — you’ve already come so far.