# 103 | How to Handle Imposter Syndrome in Interior Design (And Why It Shows Up at Every Level)
“You are not here by accident. You’re here because you have a gift that you are wanting to share with others.”
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If you’ve ever called what you’re feeling “imposter syndrome,” you’re not alone — but this episode invites a really important reframe: what if it isn’t a syndrome at all? Kate and Becca talk about how quickly that label can become something we carry like a diagnosis, instead of what it actually is for most of us: a temporary wave of doubt that shows up when we’re stretching into something new.
One of the biggest shifts in this conversation is the idea of switching from “I have imposter syndrome” to “I’m having imposter feelings.” That one change matters, because feelings don’t get to make decisions for you. You can acknowledge the doubt — and still take the next right step. And in a field like interior design, where confidence is often the thing that helps clients trust you with bigger budgets and bigger scope, staying stuck in self-questioning can quietly keep your business smaller than it needs to be.
They also call out something many designers don’t want to admit: sometimes “imposter syndrome” becomes an easy explanation for why we’re not moving forward. Not because you’re lazy or unmotivated — but because it’s easier to stay in indecision than to risk being seen. The truth is, confidence usually comes after action. Sometimes you build it by learning what you need to learn, filling real skill gaps, or getting support. Other times you build it by training your brain to stop spiraling into comparison and start focusing on what’s true.
The practical tools in this episode are simple, doable, and honestly… relieving. Take the pressure off the 10,000-foot view and focus on the next right thing. Visualize the conversation you need to have before you have it. Remember something hard you’ve already done. Ask someone in your circle to reflect your strengths back to you when your inner voice gets loud. And maybe most importantly, get into community with people who actually understand this work — because being seen by other designers is sometimes the fastest way to stop believing you’re the only one who feels this way.
Because you’re not here by accident. Your path doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s to be valid, profitable, and real. And there really is a seat waiting for you at tables you haven’t even seen yet.
If you’re feeling stuck, heavy, or like your business requires more effort than it should, Kate invites you to the Business Blueprint Reset — a 4-day experience designed to help you get quiet, reconnect with what matters, and uncover what’s really driving your stress or indecision. Visit designersoasis.com/reset to learn more and register.
Mentioned in this episode:
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PODCAST: Episode 26: Raising Your Design Fees Without the “Ick”
PODCAST: Episode 28: How Limiting Beliefs Might Be Holding You Back
PODCAST: Episode 30: The Perfectionism Trap
Daniel House Club Curated Collection: www.danielhouse.club/do
