Ask HN: How do you convince yourself that you're good enough?

Look for objective feedback and praise you've received from other people. Most people give compliments when they mean it honestly. Depending on the situation, you can take people's word for it.

Think about how you've gotten better. Do you think back to anything you did in the past and feel like you'd do it better now? That means you've learned.

Things like that are not delusional and giving yourself credit for that is not bullshit.

I suspect with both of us that these feelings touch on something deeper that just reflecting on past progress may not fully address. I'm still struggling with it.

Have you seen a therapist before? These are the kinds of things they're good at dealing with.

what youre experiencing is "imposter syndrome" you feel like those around you are good at what theyre doing and youre just sort of faking it/winging it and dont belong there when in fact you do. its a wild guess but i suspect youre someone who in younger years didnt really have expectations of great success and youve done better than you expected you would. this is especially common among the self taught and those who have had skill for a long time but only recently been picked up for a technical job.

i personally have been able to code and work with hardware etc since a very young age but im entirely self taught so until nearly age 30 i worked in bars, warehouses and shops for min wage, then suddenly im a key player in a tech role which leaves you feeling slightly like you dont belong especially when those around you have been in the industry for years and have countless qualifications

battling this isnt easy as generally someone else telling you isnt going to stick or change anything, its something you have to find ways to come to terms with yourself