The “do it all “ lie

The expectation that women must "do it all" is pervasive and fuels countless unrealistic demands. My core argument is...

The pressure on women to "do it all" is immense and exhausting. We're constantly juggling unrealistic expectations. My point? It's not that we can't do it all – because we can and do. It's about the systemic barriers that make it so incredibly difficult, and the lie that it's a simple matter of individual effort.

Many women, especially those from marginalized communities, face an uphill battle. The gender pay gap, lack of affordable childcare, and inflexible work structures are just a few of the hurdles. The myth of effortlessly balancing a demanding career and family? It's a myth. Our current system isn't designed to support us on both fronts.

Let me share a personal example. From the outside, my life might look pretty good. I work remotely with flexible hours, which allows me to handle things like school drop-offs and pick-ups. But even this "flexibility" is a constant juggling act. It involves coordinating with my husband, relying on my parents, and constantly shifting gears. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Add in work, the (minimal) housework I manage to squeeze in, the gym, bills, appointments… it's a non-stop balancing act. My husband and I both work more now than we did earlier in our careers, despite having climbed the corporate ladder. We're constantly in survival mode. Grabbing a healthy lunch feels like a luxury. Evenings and weekends are often spent catching up on work. Sure, there are occasional slow days, but they're the exception, not the rule. And I have a strong support system. I can't imagine how single moms without family support, relying on friends or babysitters, do it. I deeply admire their resilience.

So, we're not "doing it all." We're "making it," barely. And it's harmful to pretend otherwise. We need real systemic changes: more flexible work arrangements, affordable childcare, and a fundamental shift in how we value caregiving. Because caregiving is work.

We all know the feeling of being overwhelmed. It's impacting our well-being, and it's a direct result of societal and cultural pressures. We need to reclaim our time and redefine what success actually means. That means letting go of perfectionism and impossible standards. We need to prioritize what truly matters, learn to delegate effectively, and demand a more equitable sharing of responsibilities both at home and at work. The idea of "having it all" is a fantasy within the current system. We need systemic change, increased support for working mothers, and a serious re-evaluation of gender roles and work-life balance. Let's focus on well-being, not perfection, and advocate for a fairer distribution of responsibilities.

Ready to hear my recommendations for reclaiming your time, reducing stress, and redefining success on your own terms? Let's dive in.