From Climbing the Ladder to Feeling Lost: Reclaiming Your Well-Being as an Executive Woman

How can you do the impossible?

Read this short article and even not every word might resonate some will and there you are finding some value on how to find back your balance and breathe more easily.

How can you kick off burnout, balance your work and personal life, and keep your mental and emotional health in check? It feels like trying to catch a flight after being hit by unexpected traffic—you're already jet-lagged, running late, and completely overwhelmed. That unsettling feeling of not being control as much as you used to? That is burnout kicking in.

You wake up every morning feeling under pressure, constantly rushing because being a woman in leadership means looking good, staying rested, being sharp and always being ready—all of which takes time and effort. You’re stressed out most of the time and you can’t remember the last time you had a genuine moment to enjoy yourself. You feel that you lost that sense of accomplishment and you lose part of your emotional wellbeing day by day.

For an executive women who’ve worked relentlessly to climb the corporate ladder, this kind of overwhelm becomes part of daily life. The career you once aspired to now leaves you feeling disconnected, emotionally exhausted, and stretched too thin between work pressures and family. You’ve achieved the “success” you were after, but it’s come at a cost—your well-being.

You’ve worked your way up, leading with precision, handling meetings, navigating deadlines, and making decisions that impact not only your career but those around you.

But what did happened lately? The silent invaders, burnout, pressure, discomfort and anxiety. You’ve started noticing the cracks. You’re physically present, but mentally, it’s getting harder to stay sharp, stay focused. The long hours and high expectations feel heavier than they once did, and you find yourself asking—what happened to the balance I thought success would bring?

Burnout creeps in silently. It’s not just the missed lunches or late-night emails—it’s deeper than that. It’s the strain that shows up in your relationships, the moments you’re physically there but emotionally distant, the small health warnings you brush off because there’s no time to stop. You’re still on top, but the price you’re paying? It’s starting to feel too steep.

What Does Success Really Cost?

For someone like you, success has never been a question of "if" but "when." But now that you're here, the constant pressure, the grind, and the ever-growing to-do list are draining your energy. Even when you carve out time for yourself—a spa day, a quick weekend break—you’re still plugged in, mind racing with the next deadline or meeting. What was once excitement about your career is now something more like exhaustion.

It’s easy to tell yourself to push through, but deep down, you know: the success you're chasing is starting to wear you down.

You might even say to yourself, I can’t relax because if I do that I might lose control. Maybe you think fairly right: I will be quickly dismissed in a male dominated work. You work in finance and banking, investment, technology, education, defence and aerospace, oil and gas, engineering, media and communication, real estate…. feeling pressured by the need to be in constant control, to look good, feel good, speak perfect, be perfect, lead perfect.

You Have To Start Somewhere Or You Might Lose Control Entirely

Break the Cycle, Reclaim the Balance

1. Challenge the 'Not Enough’ Mindset! Success isn’t about always doing more. Start by questioning that relentless inner voice telling you you’re not doing enough. What if you are doing enough, but it's just hidden by unrealistic expectations? Giving yourself credit for what you've already achieved can reduce that constant sense of overwhelm.
2. Protect Your Boundaries—They Matter! - Your time is valuable—own it. Setting firm boundaries at work and home allows you to be more present and effective. Don’t sacrifice your evenings or weekends on the altar of productivity. Structure your day around what actually moves the needle, not what keeps you busy.
3. Reconnect Emotionally, Even in Small Ways!! - Burnout has a habit of creeping into your personal life. Try creating emotional touchpoints with those you love—whether it's a dinner without distractions, a morning chat, or simply being present without thinking of the next task. These moments help you feel grounded and connected in the midst of a whirlwind.
4. Use Intentional Pauses!! - You can’t always step away for a vacation, but small intentional breaks throughout the day can make a massive difference. Take 10 minutes for deep breathing, a stretch, or a quick walk—anything to reset your mind before diving back into your work. These small resets help stop stress from accumulating.
5. Long-Term Strategy: Realigning with What Matters!!! - The solutions go beyond quick fixes. You need to address what’s beneath the burnout. Sometimes it’s not about leaving your job but reshaping your career in a way that aligns with who you are now. How can you make your work life fit your personal goals and well-being?

Burnout isn’t a signal to quit—it’s a signal to adjust. You’re not just trying to survive; you’re capable of redefining your path, making it more fulfilling both personally and professionally.

The Choice is Forever Yours

You’ve already achieved so much, but now it’s time to ensure that success doesn’t come at the cost of your health, relationships, and happiness. By taking a moment to realign with your needs and values, you can lead your career—and your life—in a way that supports both your ambition and your well-being.

It’s not about choosing between success and balance—you can have both. It starts with recognising what needs to change and taking back control, step by step.

Moving Forward Is An Active Choice

Success doesn’t have to come at the cost of your well-being. By making small but impactful changes—mentally, emotionally, and physically—you can reclaim your balance and thrive both personally and professionally.

Workout, hire a personal trainer and explain your goals, including emotions concerns

Practice Mindfulness, be present if what you do for your wellbeing, breathe mindful, walk mindful, exercise mindful, eat mindful. That is part of enjoying your present.

They call is present because now is a gift, so living in the now it's a great technique to help you with anxiety, pressure, emotional discomfort and even boredom.

Change Your Everyday

Redefine success… you are not the same person that start by thinking success is reaching the top, now you need to rethink and see how the person you are today see success and how it will look success and feeling balanced.

Ready to start your journey towards a more balanced life? Begin by integrating these strategies into your routine and see how they transform your well-being. For more practical advice and support, explore my FREE 7-Day Productivity Plan at monicaperiade.com.

True success isn’t just about reaching the top—it’s about savouring the view and thriving in all aspects of your life.

How will you redefine your success to work for you?