Why Strong Women Struggle

Feminism has taken a strange turn.

Strong women mark 80% of my clientele. They read your mind. They know what you need, what you're feeling, and what solutions are required, just in nanoseconds.

They have a spidey sense that is much like... how your mother could detect your lies about how many cookies you're hiding behind your back.

They are radiant. They're tough. They make magic happen. They are powerful. When they go home from work, they are that pillar that holds the family up. Their children depend on them for all the answers. If they don't have children, they are that reliable one who is on top of her siblings, parents, friends, and neighbours' well-being.

Yep, her. You know her.

Do you know what actually goes on inside of her?

More often than not, extreme loneliness.

She wears a mask of strength, because she always had to fend for herself without much support, while caring for everyone else.

That mask of strength was created with layers of scar tissues, of not having anyone else to rely on, but herself.

As long as she can remember, she's been fighting for everything, and for everyone.

It's no longer enough for women to take on the traditional role, being the queen of relationships, child rearing, and home economics. Now, women are driven by professional success, and feel they deserve to play the equal field to men. She's still a strong figure at home, which is the traditional role of a woman. Then, she's fighting for a seat at the male-dominated table at work.

What does it take to succeed in both "feminine" and "masculine" roles as one single person?

These are unrealistic expectations for one human being.

The definition of feminism has earned women the possibilities of equal salary, opportunities, and the rhetoric that she deserves financial and professional success.

Not to mention, media and society expectations now is about celebrating powerful women in politics, business, and corporations.

Does anyone ever question what these women had to kill to get there?

Her needs.

A strong woman is so busy playing "strong," she feels ashamed of having needs.

Having "needs" makes her less than equal to a man, or someone with less responsibilities, who can replace her at any moment.

Those needs are self-care, feeling connected to her feminine side, as well as maternity and other family related leave, and... acknowledging the feelings of overwhelm from the tremendous pressure.

In a vicious, competitive world, there is no room for weaklings. And a strong woman would never be caught dead resembling one.

Needs like love, support, appreciation, are what she gives to others every day, including her team. And it's what she really, secretly desires. But she will never ask for it.

The current state of feminism is described in two short words: added pressure.

Strong women, YOU ARE ENTITLED TO HAVE NEEDS.

Most companies strive for equal salaries, and try to hire more women senior executives.

Great attempt, but does this actually help women? Why are there significantly more men than women in senior executive and c-suite levels? How do women get filtered out of these high positions?

Feminism is new. It's still in its infancy. The majority of the women around the world grow up in families where the female has less power, regardless of how progressive the country is. For generations, women have been already conditioned to not want too much. They are already conditioned to suck it up and settle.

Somewhere up the ladder, many do settle.

Then, comes the fear for all success striving women: maternity leave, and having more than one of those. Women must choose if they should spend their prime career years changing diapers and trying to get back into the work force, or just forget about it and give it all to their careers, so they can go up as high as they can.

And by the way, women who make the choice to have a family learn the difficult way that it's not so easy to follow the system and return to work after the maternity leave is over. Apparently, your baby still needs you 24/7 at this point, and going part-time earns you positions that don't contribute to your career growth... and not to mention... you end up giving your whole pay check to day care.

So next time you see your strong woman, make her day. Don't wait for her to make yours.

And here's a message for strong women. You're not responsible for everything and everyone. Support is available for you. Ask. Nobody can do it all alone. And you no longer need to fight for things. Unlearn this conditioning, and you will be happier.

To thrive, you need different methods than just to survive.

Strong women, stop suffering in silence.

You've been only conditioned to choose struggle.

You deserve ease and peace.

You don't need to do everything, nor always be fighting.

In life, what you expect, is what you get.

?About the Author:

Julia Cha is a best-selling author and a success coach for women leaders ready to shatter glass ceilings. With her expertise in subconscious transformation, she guides her clients to create their dream life in all aspects: a thriving career, financial abundance, and supportive relationships.

Learn more: www.juliacha.com

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