I wish that I could be more vulnerable with my coworkers. Last year I grappled with intense impostor syndrome that ballooned into generalized anxiety and depression, exacerbated heavily by the feeling that I couldn't let any sign of weakness through. Eventually I reached a breaking point and had to say something to my manager; fortunately he was understanding, but I still worry that his confidence in me has been eroded. My breakthrough came when I was given an important task. It seemed logically inconsistent for someone who was hanging on by a thread and really not an effective employee (my self-narrative) to be entrusted with a task that genuinely mattered.

I still feel weak for saying this, but hearing another person say, "It was hard for me when I first joined this team too. Don't worry, you're doing a good job." was all I wanted.

Is Silicon Valley unique in lacking this openness? I suspect not, but have no basis of comparison.