For many Filipinos, childhood was marked by an unrelenting pressure to be perfect. Whether it was excelling in academics, winning competitions, or simply “making your family proud,” the expectations were sky-high. This drive for perfection, while often rooted in love and cultural pride, left countless Filipinos with feelings of inadequacy that persist into adulthood.

But here’s the reality: the voices that once echoed “You’re not good enough” are often the ones we carry into our own heads. What if we could silence them? What if we could heal the wounds left by years of self-doubt and critical self-talk?

This journey of self-discovery is exactly what One Down’s founder, Leo, explored with the help of therapy. Here’s how revisiting childhood memories and addressing unresolved imposter syndrome can transform the way we see ourselves.

The Weight of Cultural Expectations

For many Filipino families, success isn’t just personal—it’s collective. Achievements are celebrated as a reflection of the family’s values and sacrifices, while failures often feel like community-wide disappointments.

Phrases like “You’ll never make your parents proud” or “You’re not smart, just lucky” may not have been said outright, but the pressure to succeed spoke louder than words. Over time, these feelings of inadequacy became internalized.

Imagine speaking to your younger self. Would you tell them they weren’t good enough? Of course not. So why do we continue to say these things to ourselves as adults?

Leo’s Journey: Confronting Imposter Syndrome

Leo, the founder of One Down, knows this struggle intimately. Starting a company fresh out of college came with its own set of challenges, but what lingered most was the feeling of not being enough. This imposter syndrome—marked by self-doubt and a tendency to downplay one’s achievements—was rooted in childhood experiences of striving to meet impossible standards.

To better understand and address these feelings, Leo sought guidance from Gabe Corpus, a Filipino-American therapist. Gabe’s approach? Revisiting childhood memories to uncover how past experiences shape self-perception today.

The Role of Therapy in Healing Childhood Wounds

Therapy, especially with culturally attuned professionals like Gabe, offers a safe space to process unresolved emotions. For Filipinos, this often means exploring moments when they felt the need to overachieve or prove their worth.

Gabe highlights that one of the most common words he hears in therapy is “should.” Statements like “I should be further in life” or “I should be perfect” reflect societal and familial expectations that have been internalized. Therapy challenges these “shoulds” and helps individuals reframe their narratives.

Signs of unresolved imposter syndrome may include:

• Downplaying your success.

• Feeling uncomfortable with compliments.

• Overworking to prove your worth.

By identifying these patterns, therapy allows individuals to replace self-doubt with self-compassion.

Reframing Perfectionism and Self-Doubt

Gabe’s therapeutic techniques focus on addressing the roots of perfectionism, not just the symptoms. This involves:

• Recognizing the origin of self-critical thoughts.

• Offering the same kindness to yourself that you would to a struggling friend or child.

• Learning to celebrate progress rather than perfection.

In Gabe’s words, healing is about reframing the stories we tell ourselves. It’s about realizing that self-worth isn’t tied to achievements but to who we are at our core.

Ready to Heal Your Inner Child?

For Filipinos who grew up with the weight of perfectionism, the journey toward self-acceptance can feel daunting—but it’s also liberating. Therapy helps unravel years of self-doubt and rebuilds confidence from within.

As Leo’s story shows, healing isn’t about erasing the past but about understanding it. It’s about acknowledging what shaped you while giving yourself permission to grow beyond it.

If you’re ready to begin your own journey, Sweet Mango Therapy Group offers culturally sensitive care to help you reconnect with your inner child and silence the critical voice in your head.

Click here to learn more and book a free consultation with Sweet Mango Therapy Group.

Breaking Free from the Cycle

To the Filipinos who grew up thinking they had to be perfect: you are enough. The journey to self-acceptance isn’t about striving harder—it’s about letting go. By addressing the roots of imposter syndrome and perfectionism, you can finally embrace the truth that your worth isn’t determined by your achievements but by the person you’ve always been.

Take the first step toward healing today. Your inner child—and your future self—will thank you.