As a full-time mom with a full-time career, overwhelm became my constant companion.
It began when life demanded that I navigate not just the complexities of a high-stakes career but also the emotional and physical demands of motherhood – all against the backdrop of international moves.
The first move came when my firstborn was six months old – boxes scattered around our makeshift home as I juggled a new work environment and the relentless pursuit of my PhD. I still remember the countless sleepless nights juggling the pressures of work, school, and parenting with the weight of exhaustion pressing down on me.
But life didn’t pause; it accelerated.
Before I knew it, we moved again – twice, in fact, over a span of four years, this time with 2 kids on board!
The challenge, each time, was not just in starting over in a new city or country but in wearing the countless hats that defined my days – career professional, student, mother, planner, and the emotional backbone of my family.
Each day demanded more than I felt capable of giving – yet I gave it all anyway, running on reserves that were long depleted.
I managed full-time work, deadlines, and my post-grad education while navigating the emotional landscapes of my young children, organizing a household, and being the steadfast support for my family.
The weight of responsibility was relentless, an ever-present force that left no space for rest or reflection. Yet, I pushed forward, fueled by the belief that I had to be enough, do enough, and give enough.
The pain of this constant push was palpable. There were nights I would sit in the quiet, finally alone after hours of work and parenting, feeling the sting of tears that spoke of exhaustion and silent guilt.
The guilt of never quite feeling present, of stretching myself so thin that each role I played felt compromised. I was trying to be everything, for everyone, all the time, until I realized that giving endlessly when I was running on empty wasn’t sustainable. It was survival, not living.
As the children grew, so did the demands. Drop-offs at school, lunches packed with care, and the daily shuffle of homework, activities, and bedtime routines added layers of complexity to an already stretched schedule.
The older they became, the more my worries evolved. It wasn’t just about their immediate needs; it was about raising them in a world that seemed to be shifting at breakneck speed. I found myself constantly concerned about their use of technology, the lure of instant gratification, and the growing difficulty in fostering patience and resilience.
This generation is different. They are growing up with screens as companions, with answers a mere tap away and with a world that prizes immediacy over effort. I worried about whether they would learn to navigate challenges with perseverance or if the culture of “now” would erode their ability to face setbacks. And all the while, I knew they were watching me – how I managed stress, how I balanced the incessant pull of work emails that didn’t respect boundaries, and how I navigated my own pressures to be connected and responsive 24/7.
It’s a dual reality that many parents share: the desire to model strength and balance while battling the relentless tide of responsibilities and expectations. The weight of trying to be present, patient, and resilient in a world that seems designed to test those very qualities is immense.
Yet, amidst the chaos, I discovered a vital truth: thriving doesn’t come from doing more but from learning to honor our limits, reclaim our well-being, and lead with purpose even in the face of constant demands.
In showing my children how to find that balance, I began to find it for myself, one imperfect, resilient day at a time.
So can you… Pause, Reflect, and Ask yourself – How much of yourself do you give to others, and do you find time to re-charge?
If you’d like to learn more about how I can help you, please book a call, and let’s connect!