For many years, my mom has displayed a daily calendar filled with inspirational quotes, stories, and humor – designed for women who do too much. I always thought that was an interesting concept: women who do too much. How do you know when you’re doing too much? Do you sleep less at night? Do you have to think hard to remember when you showered last? Does your calendar have limited white space?
I have always been an over-achiever, a do-gooder, driven. I excelled in high school, in college and in graduate school. I entered the work force as a young professional, dedicated to making a difference, pushing the envelope, and bettering myself and those around me. And then, we started our family.
While pregnant, I told myself (and everyone else who would listen) I could do it all after my son was born. I would finish my doctoral degree on time and I would excel in each of my four part time jobs. And then, he was born…and I truly found out what it was like to be a woman doing too much.
So often in the work place, we hear of the long lost quest for work-life balance. How do women who do too much obtain work-life balance? Do we sleep less or skip showers? Do we schedule fewer appointments and obligations? Do we pencil in more “me” time?
I have accepted the fact that I am a woman who does too much. I always have been. But I am a firm believer that balance is relative. Life changes and our perception of balance morphs and adapts to our current situation. There is nothing wrong with being a woman who does too much, as long as she is balancing the chaos and finding joy in her life. I am strong, confident, driven, dedicated, and I am making a difference. Most importantly, I am a positive female role model for my son. Who cares if I haven’t showered in three days?
Jenny resides in Goshen, Indiana. She is a doctoral candidate at Western Michigan University, program coordinator of a non-profit, Girls on the Run Michiana, and a proud working wife and mother. Jenny strongly supports the mission of “A Beautiful Me®” and believes that all women deserve to know that they are worthy, beautiful and capable.
