The term "duck syndrome" was first coined at Stanford University to describe students who were struggling while feeling pressure to appear calm, cool, and collected — much like a duck gliding smoothly on the surface while paddling frantically underneath. In school or not, that image captures something so many of us with anxious and perfectionistic brains experience: not quite imposter syndrome, just the feeling that everyone else has it figured out, and that we'd better act like we do too. And because vulnerability is scary, most of us end up carrying that feeling completely alone.

Duck Syndrome, the blog and the newsletter, exists for anyone who is tired of paddling alone.

If you'd like to read more, join the community, or leave an actual comment (a luxury this blog does not currently offer), you can find the full archive at ducksyndrome.substack.com.