Picture this: It’s your second month of residency, and you’re deep into a hectic ED shift. The pressure is on; you’re managing patients, making decisions, and trying to get better. Then, a mistake happens. Not one that results in significant harm to the patient, but maybe you miss a diagnosis, fumble a procedure, or are just overwhelmed in general. You know failure is part of growth, but that doesn’t make it any easier. Suddenly, doubts creep in: “Am I the only one messing up? Is this normal? When does it get better?” Before you know it, you’re spiraling into imposter syndrome. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. I’ve been there too. Having supportive seniors and faculty certainly helps, but it never fully alleviates that nagging and destructive habit of comparing yourself to people at your same level of training. Surely, they aren’t making the same mistakes, right?

But what if I told you there’s a simple way to break this cycle? Instead of letting imposter syndrome take over, you can reframe your mistakes as a normal part of being an intern. A way to prove, definitively, that mistakes are part of the process and happen to everyone. The solution? Hop on your group text or WhatsApp and tell your co-residents about your mistake.

At first, this may seem completely counterintuitive. Why would you willingly share your “failures” when you’re already worried about how you’re perceived? Won’t this just confirm your fear that you’re behind? Wouldn’t admitting your mistake only exacerbate the feeling of inadequacy? On the contrary, I can tell you the act of sharing is what helps curb those feelings once and for all. Turns out it isn’t only my personal experience but also research that supports this.

The concept of downward social comparison (where individuals compare themselves to those perceived as worse off) can be a powerful tool in residency. If we start from a premise that nobody will argue, that we all make mistakes, we can see how this unfolds. When you share a mistake, you are subconsciously reinforcing the idea that it is not something to be ashamed of, but rather a normal everyday experience. This fosters a sense of normalcy, reducing isolation and reinforcing the idea that mistakes are a universal part of growth. At first glance, this may seem like it causes feelings of superiority or unhealthy competition, but research suggests otherwise. In high-stress environments like residency, downward social comparison is a natural way to cope with self-doubt. By voluntarily engaging in this practice, you help create a culture of openness, where acknowledging struggles strengthens camaraderie rather than fueling insecurity. This is not a new idea in psychology. Wills first described downward social comparison as a method for self-evaluation and stress management. Numerous studies show that it helps individuals reframe their struggles, maintain emotional well-being, and recognize that their challenges are shared. A 2018 study in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that this mechanism reduces negative emotions tied to failure and self-doubt. Furthermore, research in medical education indicates that residents who openly discuss their struggles experience greater resilience and lower burnout rates. By sharing your mistakes, you unknowingly create a cycle; your peers feel reassured, and in return, they begin sharing their own struggles. This reciprocity not only normalizes struggle but also builds a stronger, more supportive residency culture.

If you’re hesitant, I get it. Initially, I worried that this approach would promote arrogance or unhealthy competition. But I now believe that openly engaging in this practice is one of the healthiest and most effective ways to build a positive culture in residency. Here’s why:

• It humanizes you: Imposter syndrome thrives on comparison. Sharing your struggles normalizes the challenges of residency and demystifies the false narrative that others are doing significantly better.
• It creates a culture of openness: Taking the first step in vulnerability signals to others that it’s safe to be honest about their struggles. Over time, this creates an environment where openness is the norm rather than the exception.
• It strengthens trust and cohesion: Residency is a team effort. Acknowledging challenges collectively builds trust and support, reinforcing that no one is in this alone.
• It cultivates real, sustainable confidence: True confidence isn’t about never making mistakes; it’s about understanding that mistakes don’t define you. Embracing failure openly allows you to gain a deeper, more sustainable sense of self-assurance.

Imposter syndrome is not a new idea; we are all well aware of its effects. What I am proposing is a practical way to deal with it, one you can implement immediately. Residency is hard enough without the weight of imposter syndrome dragging you down. By normalizing failure and fostering open conversations, we can shift the culture from silent self-doubt to collective growth. So, what’s stopping you? Be that culture shift in your program. Take a leap of faith and talk about your failures voluntarily. Normalizing mistakes fosters resilience, strengthens team trust, and creates a supportive learning environment. The next time you make a mistake, I challenge you: Send that message. Share your experience. Tell someone about it. Chances are, you’ll feel a lot better after.

Noah V. Fiala is an emergency medicine resident.