Saying ‘YES’ to A Seat At The Table

Imposter syndrome is the real pandemic

Last week, I received a personal invitation to an intimate dinner hosted by a very successful woman I had admired from a distance but had never met. The guest list was a curated group of female founders gathered to connect, share, and support one another. It was the kind of invitation I should have been thrilled about, but instead, it sent me into a full-on imposter syndrome tailspin.

The voice in my head was saying things like, ‘Who am I to sit at that table? I’m just starting out in my business. The women there are so much further ahead and more successful than I am. They’ll see right through me and wonder, Why is she here?’

I had two choices to make:

Door #1: Let Imposter Syndrome Take Over. Politely decline with something like, “I’d love to join the next one.” and hope there is another invite in the future and that I’ll be farther along in my business by then. Stay home. Put the kids to bed. Collapse on the couch. Binge Netflix until I fell asleep and then drag myself to bed.

Door #2: Lean Into Imposter Syndrome. Accept the invitation, embrace the discomfort, and show up anyway.

I chose Door #2.

It wasn’t easy, but I responded with: “It’s an honour, and I’d LOVE to join the group on Thursday evening.”

Then, in ‘shame-free-40-year-old Whitney’ fashion, I added how I was really feeling: “I’ll be honest... I’m working through my imposter syndrome EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. The thought of being in a room with so many powerful, entrepreneurial women is definitely out of my comfort zone. But one thing I’m learning is that to grow, you have to embrace the uncomfortable. It means I’m moving in the right direction. :) So I’m IN!”

She replied with this: “I promise you, every single woman in the room is also suffering with imposter syndrome. It’s the real pandemic. There’s no getting over it—just through it. So glad you can join!”

Even with that reassurance, my imposter syndrome and anxiety were alive and well when the day arrived. But I knew that was exactly why I had to go.

The women around that table were nothing short of extraordinary. They were kind, unfiltered in their advice, and generous with their stories. Each one had been where I am now—a new founder figuring things out day by day. They shared their hard-earned lessons, their moments of doubt, and their encouragement to keep moving forward.

The dinner table itself was covered with inspirational quotes (which I’m a total sucker for) and conversation starters to help us connect. By the end of the night, I left with a full heart, practical advice, and a deeper appreciation for the power of showing up.

A picture I took of one of the many quote cards that filled the table that night. SO good!

Thinking back to that evening, I’m reminded of Glennon Doyle’s podcast and something she writes in one of my favourite books Untamed: “We can do hard things.” Glennon's work is a powerful call to break free from societal expectations and embrace who we truly are even when it’s messy, uncomfortable, and scary. Imposter syndrome thrives on the fear that we don’t belong, but Glennon reminds us to trust our inner voice to guide us toward what is true and what is right. Something she calls “The Knowing”.

If I had let my imposter syndrome win, I would have missed it all; the connections, the wisdom, the inspiration. I would have missed hearing from these incredible women who, despite being complete strangers, wanted to support me and cheer me on.

Here’s the thing about imposter syndrome: It’s sneaky. It shows up at different times in your life in all different scenarios and tries to convince you that you don’t belong. What I’m learning is that when imposter syndrome rears its ugly head, it’s a sign you’re pushing boundaries and moving in the right direction. You’re doing something bold. Something that scares you. And odds are, 99% of the people in the room feel the same way.

So, lean in. Be bold. Say ‘YES’, even when it terrifies you. ESPECIALLY when it terrifies you. You never know what table you’ll end up at or what amazing connections and experiences are waiting for you on the other side of that fear.

With Vienna Waits, we’re building something entirely from scratch. Greg and I are taking big risks every single day. And truthfully...I have no idea what I’m doing. But I’m doing it anyway and embracing all of the imposter syndrome that comes along with it.

As Glennon Doyle says, “The braver I am, the luckier I get.”

Let’s be brave together.