Career inspiration: Chris Wild
Hear from best-selling author of 'Damaged & The State of It', national campaigner and public speaker on dealing with imposter syndrome.
Imposter Syndrome as a Care Leaver: Why Success Still Feels Like a Struggle
Being a successful writer and published author is something that should fill me with pride. After all, I’ve achieved what many dream of. Yet, as a care leaver, I often find myself battling imposter syndrome—a pervasive feeling that despite my achievements, I somehow don’t belong in the world of successful people. Why is it that success doesn’t silence these doubts? Why do I constantly feel that something is missing, that I’m still not good enough, especially without that university degree?
Imposter syndrome is that inner voice whispering that I’m a fraud, that I don’t deserve the success I’ve achieved. It’s the fear that one day, someone will figure out I’m not as competent as they think. For many care leavers like me, this feeling is amplified. Growing up in care often means growing up without the safety net of a traditional family or access to certain privileges, like a higher education. These gaps can feed a sense of inadequacy, even when you’ve proven yourself time and again.
Society often places a premium on traditional markers of success—getting a degree, securing a “stable” job, following a conventional path.
As a care leaver, my life hasn’t followed that script, and although I’ve created my own path through writing, the pressure to conform lingers.
⎯⎯ Chris Wild
Without a degree, I sometimes feel like I’m missing a key credential to validate my success. It’s as if I’ve cheated the system, like success isn’t meant for someone like me, who didn’t take the ‘standard’ route.
But here’s the reality: success doesn’t have to come in one form, and it doesn’t have to follow the expected path. My background as a care leaver has given me unique strengths—resilience, adaptability, and the ability to create something from nothing. These are skills I’ve honed through necessity, and they’ve shaped me into the writer and person I am today. My journey may not be traditional, but it is valuable. And it’s a testament to the power of determination in the face of adversity.
Imposter syndrome isn’t something that disappears overnight, and I’m still working through it. But I’ve realised that the key to overcoming these feelings lies in self-acceptance. I remind myself of my accomplishments, my resilience, and my growth. I try to reframe the negative thoughts that tell me I’m not good enough by celebrating how far I’ve come instead of focusing on what I lack. Everyone’s path is different, and success doesn’t require fitting into a pre-defined mold. It’s a continuous process, but I’m learning to own my story—without apology.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that success doesn’t have to look the same for everyone. For those who, like me, feel the weight of imposter syndrome as care leavers or from other non-traditional backgrounds, know this: your achievements are real, and they matter. The road to self-acceptance is ongoing, but every step forward counts. You are more than enough, even if you don’t have the degree, the connections, or the validation that others seem to have. You’ve made it this far, and that is something to be incredibly proud of.
Care Leavers Can
My background as a care leaver has given me unique strengths—resilience, adaptability, and the ability to create something from nothing.
⎯⎯ Chris Wild
jo carroll says:
November 1, 2024 at 4:16 pm
what an inspirational blog chris. thank you for sharing your story enabling others to thrive
jo carroll says:
November 1, 2024 at 4:16 pm
what an inspirational blog chris. thank you for sharing your story enabling others to thrive. Great to see your share the art of the possible.