The last two months were quite hard for me. I was juggling between a demanding new projects, redefining my relationships, taking care of my family in Poland, and at the same time, I was trying to stay physically healthy and emotionally sane.
We all know how challenging it can be to balance work obligations with life requests.
Being a woman pursuing her career achieving equilibrium can be complex. On top of the limited time we have for ourselves, women are often faced with the burden of societal stereotyping and self-doubts. Even if we outperform, we would be worried to not do enough. Even if we know it’s healthy to set boundaries, we would still feel guilty.
Recognizable? It is for many!
Women leaders are often overworked and under-recognized, adding to the feeling of the physical and mental work-related burnout.
In fact, according to McKinsey data 43% of women leaders are burned out, compared to 31% of men leaders.
“43% of women leaders are burned out, compared to 31% of men leaders”
The modern professional landscape can be tough, that’s why maintaining a focus on your wellbeing is more necessary than ever!
All of us are capable of juggling the various demands of our lives. But at some point, our bodies and minds send signals, gentle reminders that it's time to take a break. It's a natural response; we all have our thresholds of how much we can take and we all deserve moments to relax, reflect, and reconnect.
The real challenge starts when we ignore these signals, pushing ourselves to the point of complete exhaustion. In doing so, we compromise our physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
Cultural beliefs – the unconscious driver
We still live in deeply rooted cultural beliefs that women are the nurturing gender, and it is women’s role to care for family and community. As women, we are expected to put others before ourselves; personally and professionally.
Often, we are stuck in the old patterns and beliefs, putting ourselves in a pressure to conform expectations:
- “To be joyful” - As if happiness were a mandatory all of the time.
- “To be perfect” - Crafting an idealise life that aligns with societal ideals.
- “To make everyone happy” – Bearing the weight of fulfilling everyone else’s needs.
Yet, these expectations, coupled with a sense of obligation, can become a source of anxiety, stress, and fatigue for many of women.
Time to rethink and put a different emphasis
As we navigate our daily lives, it's crucial to reflect on how we want to experience each moment, identifying what truly matters and how we can prioritize our well-being. Take a moment to consider these questions:
So, stop for a moment and ask yourself these three questions:
- How do I want to feel on a regular basis?
- What really matters to me in my everyday life?
- What activities bring me a sense of relaxation and fulfilment?
While prioritizing family, friends, work and responsibilities is commendable, it's equally important to reserve space in our busy schedules for self-care and personal well-being.
Remember:
- life is not meant to be perfect,
- you don’t have to be happy and joyful all the time,
- your living space doesn’t have to be spotless,
- you are not obligated please everyone.
Recognizing and challenging societal expectations and breaking free from old patterns and beliefs is a crucial step, not only when it comes to your leadership position, but also in your everyday life.
You can apply here a rule from leadership that talks about authenticity.
Authentic leadership isn't about being perfect; it's about being real.
I invite you to take some time off, even if it is just:
- one hour of reading the novel you didn’t have time to finish,
- having a hot bath with aromatic oils, or
- simply listening to your favourite Spotify playlist (maybe you even sneak in some dance moves).
Trust me those couple of minutes a day will make a difference and your health will thank you for taking a well-deserved break.
And if at any moment the sense of guilt will arise, remember resting is a POWER!
“Resting is immensely powerful to ignite the glorious star within you. Power yourself by powering up your relaxing game.” Hiral Nagda