10 Signs You Might Be Suffering from Adult Imposter Syndrome

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Hey there, friend! I’m a 38-year-old mom of two, and I have a little secret: I feel like I’m just pretending to be an adult. No matter how many grocery lists I jot down or playdates I plan, I can’t seem to shake the nagging feeling that I’m unqualified to manage my life—or the lives of my two kids. So, if you relate, here are some telltale signs that you might also be faking it through adulthood:

1. Ironing? Nope! I haven’t touched an iron in years. After dragging my ironing board through multiple moves, I finally surrendered it to my brother, who actually knows how to use it. My go-to method? Tossing wrinkled clothes in the dryer with a damp washcloth. It works, right?
2. Dry cleaning? Not for me! Isn’t that what real adults do? I remember watching those characters in shows like “Friends” darting to the dry cleaner. If I spot “Dry clean only” on a tag, I might as well throw it in the back of my closet forever—I’m not going near a dry cleaner.
3. I have a fear of bees that borders on ridiculous. One summer day, a wasp landed on my drink, and I freaked out like I was in a horror movie, sending my glass flying and shattering everywhere. Adults are supposed to remain calm, right?
4. I can’t tie a balloon. I know, it’s embarrassing! Plus, I’m terrified of balloons popping, a fear I’ve somehow passed down to my eldest. Balloon games at parties? No thanks, I’ll sit those out.
5. Making parenting choices? I often feel like I’m just their babysitter, not their mom. When my kids ask me questions, I sometimes wonder if I’m the right person to answer. “Can we watch another show?” “Can we eat more snacks?” I mean, who really knows?
6. Opening champagne bottles? I always hand that task off to someone else. The loud pop makes me cringe, and I definitely can’t handle those fancy corkscrews. I’ll just let someone else take the lead on that one.
7. My sense of direction is non-existent. I get lost in parking lots and malls, and sometimes I seriously contemplate crying while driving. It’s a real struggle, people!
8. I’m out of the loop on current events. When adults talk politics or news, I just nod along, hoping no one asks me for my opinion. Honestly, I can never remember what fracking actually is.
9. We’re like a decade behind on popular TV shows. Just finished “Breaking Bad” and started “House of Cards.” I’ve never even seen “Mad Men” or “Downton Abbey.” When I tried “The Walking Dead,” I was out within minutes after the first zombie appeared. Nope!
10. Chopsticks? Nope, I can’t use those either. It’s just tragic.

On my more optimistic days, I remind myself that I still bring value to my family and the world. Not everyone can quote obscure 80s movies or write scathing letters to companies about bad service. I suspect I’m not the only one wrestling with “Adult Imposter Syndrome.” So, are you faking it too? (Please say yes!)

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In summary, feeling like an imposter in adulthood is more common than you might think. Whether it’s avoiding chores, struggling with parenting decisions, or simply feeling out of touch, many of us are navigating this journey together!