The Myth of the Superwoman
The Myth of Superwoman: Balancing Business, Home, and Family
It's 7 AM, and the coffee machine is already on its 2nd brew. The scent barely masks the lingering aroma of last night's lasagna. The day has begun for Charisse, but it started long before the sun peeked over the horizon. She’s a formidable entrepreneur, the CEO of her successful online handmade skincare and herbal apothecary company. She's a devoted wife, a loving mother of three grown children, and a doting grandmother to five little whirlwinds. Oh, and she also holds a part-time Registered Nursing job to keep her skills sharp and bring in a steady baseline income.
Sound exhausting? It is. Charisse, like so many women, is constantly trying to be "Superwoman"—the mythical figure who seamlessly juggles the demanding roles of business owner, household manager, professional, and family matriarch without dropping a single ball (or her sanity).
The Unseen Labor
The business demands focus, financial savvy, and endless energy. The household requires organization, meals, clean laundry, and emotional support. The job demands professional excellence. And the family—the heart of it all—needs quality time, hugs, and connection.
For Charisse, a typical day involves responding to customer emails while preparing breakfast, coordinating a large sugar scrub order during a work break in the week.The challenge isn't just the sheer volume of tasks, but the constant mental switching—the "context shifting" that drains energy faster than any single activity.
She often measures her worth by how many things she didn't forget, how many deadlines she met, and how well she managed to hide the exhaustion under a professional smile. This striving for perfection, this Superwoman syndrome, is often the heaviest burden she carries.
Redefining Success (and Sanity)
The truth is, Superwoman is a myth. Attempting to embody her only leads to burnout and a feeling of inadequacy. The secret to surviving, and thriving, lies not in doing everything perfectly, but in strategically choosing what not to do, or what to delegate.
Charisse's turning point came when , while they smell amazing her custom perfume oils, weren't worth the frantic, late-night perfume oil bottling session.
This realization led to a crucial shift:
* Embrace Delegation: I hired an assistant for some administrative tasks. Her husband always helps by doing the grocery shopping and nightly clean up. Delegation isn't a failure; it’s a smart business decision for both her company and her home.
* Protect Non-Negotiable Time: She established a strict "Me time hour" every afternoon where her phone is silent. No work, no chores—just watching a hallmark movie and reading books. This focused time recharges her more than hours of mindless scrolling.
* Accept "Good Enough": Dinner doesn't have to be a gourmet meal every night. Sometimes, pizza is a perfectly acceptable, loving choice. A clean house is great, but a happy, present mother/wife/grandmother is better.
Charisse hasn't stopped running her business, working, or being the heart of her family. But she's stopped trying to be Superwoman. She’s simply Charisse , an incredible, flawed, powerful woman who prioritizes her well-being so she can show up fully for the things that truly matter.
If you're also trying to wear the Superwoman cape, take it off for a minute. You're powerful enough without it.
What's one small task you can delegate this week to free up some time for yourself?