The Myth of Having It All: Why Women Are Tired of the Superwoman Act

"You can have it all!" They told us. A thriving career, a happy family, a fulfilling social life, a well-kept home, perfect self-care—just balance it all, right?

Yet, behind the polished social media posts, TED Talks, and motivational speeches, millions of women are running on empty, wondering: Why does “having it all” feel like an impossible, exhausting game?

The truth is, women have been sold a myth—one that glorifies multitasking, overworking, and self-sacrifice while ignoring the toll it takes. And we’re tired.

The Silent Burnout No One Talks About

Women are expected to be everything to everyone—employees, mothers, wives, daughters, caregivers, therapists, planners, and problem solvers. From the moment they wake up, they’re juggling multiple roles, mentally organizing schedules, and anticipating everyone’s needs before their own.

Women are twice as likely to experience burnout compared to men. Why? Because emotional labor—the invisible work of maintaining relationships, managing household duties, and ensuring everyone’s well-being—falls disproportionately on their shoulders.

This labor extends beyond the home. At work, women are often expected to be the ones who:

• Plan office celebrations and team-building activities.
• Mediate conflicts between colleagues.
• Offer emotional support to coworkers, even when it’s not part of their job.
• Take on “office housework” like taking notes, mentoring others, or organizing events—tasks that rarely lead to promotions.

At home, even in dual-income households, women still manage the bulk of household chores, childcare, and mental load—remembering appointments, coordinating family schedules, and ensuring everything runs smoothly.

Society praises the woman who “does it all” but rarely asks at what cost?

The cost is:

• Mental exhaustion from carrying the invisible workload.
• Missed career opportunities because of unpaid labor at home.
• Anxiety and guilt from trying to meet unrealistic expectations.
• A chronic sense of never doing enough, despite doing everything.

And yet, when women express frustration, they’re met with dismissive responses like, "You just need better time management." "Have you tried meditation?" "It’s not that bad—everyone’s busy!"

No, what women need is a reality check.

Why “Work-Life Balance” Is a Lie

For decades, women have been told to strive for "work-life balance"—the idea that with the right time management, they can give equal attention to their jobs, families, relationships, health, and personal growth.

But this idea is misleading. Balance suggests that all areas of life should get equal attention at all times, which is impossible. Some days, work demands more. Other days, family emergencies take over. And sometimes, women just need rest without feeling guilty about it.

Instead of chasing balance, we need to focus on boundaries.

Boundaries are what prevent women from being stretched so thin that they feel like they’re failing at everything.

Setting boundaries means:

• Saying no to additional work responsibilities that don’t serve your career growth.
• Letting go of guilt when prioritizing self-care.
• Redistributing responsibilities at home and refusing to be the sole manager of the household.
• Speaking up when you’re overwhelmed instead of silently pushing through exhaustion.

Women shouldn’t have to be superhuman just to be respected and valued.

The Cost of Always Saying “Yes”

One of the biggest challenges women face is learning to say no without guilt. Society has conditioned women to be agreeable, nurturing, and accommodating. Saying yes is seen as polite, responsible, and even necessary.

But the cost of saying yes too often is:

• More stress and burnout.
• Less personal time for rest, hobbies, and relaxation.
• Increased expectations from others, leading to an endless cycle of overcommitment.

When a woman says yes to everyone else, she often says no to herself.

It’s time to shift this mindset.

Setting boundaries doesn’t mean being unkind or selfish. It means recognizing that your time and energy are valuable. It means prioritizing yourself the way you prioritize others.

If you struggle with guilt when saying no, remind yourself:

• Your worth isn’t measured by how much you do for others.
• You don’t need to earn rest—it’s a right.
• People will adjust to your boundaries. If they don’t, that’s their issue, not yours.

Women are not limitless resources. And they shouldn’t have to act like they are.

It’s Time to Redefine Success

Maybe success isn’t about being everything to everyone all the time. Maybe it’s about having the freedom to choose where to focus your energy—without being judged for it.

Maybe real empowerment is about:

• Not apologizing for needing rest.
• Walking away from toxic expectations.
• Define success on your terms, not society’s.

Women are powerful—but they’re also human. And they deserve a life that doesn’t feel like a constant uphill battle.

It’s time to stop glorifying exhaustion. It’s time to stop expecting women to do everything effortlessly. It’s time to acknowledge that having it all isn’t about doing it all—it’s about choosing what truly matters.

Are you done with the “Superwoman” act? Let’s talk about it.