Imposter Syndrome & Me: The Side You Don’t See.

I get told a lot lately,“You must be so proud of what you’ve built.”“Women of the Murray is amazing.”“You’re doing such important work.”

And I smile. I nod. I say thank you, and I am grateful. I am proud.

But here’s the part I don’t always say out loud:

Sometimes, those compliments make me feel uncomfortable. Sometimes they don’t land. Not because I don’t appreciate them, but because deep down, I’m still asking myself: “Who am I to be leading this?”

“What if I’m not enough?”

“What if people find out I’m still figuring it all out as I go?”

That’s imposter syndrome.

And I’m in it. Still.

Women of the Murray wasn’t born from a perfect strategy or a big business plan. It was born from a feeling, a need for connection, community, and something real. I started it because I saw the gaps. I felt them myself. The isolation. The comparison. The craving for something that wasn’t just another surface-level event, but something meaningful.

But as it’s grown… so has the pressure. The expectations. The stories I tell myself about needing to do it right, say the right things, show up with confidence, when some days, I feel anything but. People often see the outside, the photos, the events, the words I’ve written and they assume I’ve got it all together. That I’m a natural leader. That I know what I’m doing.

The truth is: I’m learning on the job. Some days I feel like I’m barely keeping up. Some days I doubt everything I’ve created.

But I’m still here. Still showing up. And that’s what I keep coming back to.

Because imposter syndrome doesn’t go away when you hit a milestone. It doesn’t disappear once you get recognition or followers or “success.” Sometimes, it gets louder.

But I’m learning that I don’t have to wait for that feeling to disappear in order to keep going.

I can feel like a inadequate some days and still be building something that matters. I can feel unsure and still create impact. I can struggle with compliments and still be proud of what I’ve done.

If you’ve ever felt the same, like maybe you’re not the right person for the role you’re in, or that you’re just winging it while everyone else has a clue.

I just want to say: you’re not alone.

You’re not failing.

You’re human.

And you’re probably doing a whole lot better than you give yourself credit for.

I’m still learning how to hold success and self-doubt in the same hand. Still learning how to receive kind words without brushing them off. Still learning how to believe that being “me” is enough.

So if you see me out there doing the thing, just know I’m also doing the work behind the scenes. To trust myself. To be okay with not having all the answers. To lead from a place that’s real, not perfect.

Thanks for being here. Thanks for making space for honesty. And if you’re feeling like an imposter lately, welcome!

– Stace x

Founder & Director of Women of the Murray.