It's not uncommon to see women juggling multiple roles with grace and efficiency. Whether excelling in the corporate boardroom, organizing charity events, or caring for the family, women often find themselves navigating a delicate balancing act. This phenomenon, often referred to as the "Superwoman Syndrome," is a testament to the incredible capabilities of women.
However, it's essential to acknowledge that, as women, we can't do it all, all the time without risking burnout. This truth becomes even more apparent during the transformative phases of peri-menopause and menopause when our physical and mental resources are required to help us navigate this significant transition.
The Superwoman Syndrome is like an unspoken rulebook that tells us we should conquer it all and do it with a smile that rivals Mona Lisa's. We've been conditioned to believe that we must simultaneously excel in every aspect of our lives. While ambition and striving for excellence are admirable qualities, it's equally crucial to recognize our limitations, especially during phases like peri-menopause and menopause.
Here are some easy ways to start rethinking your role as a woman and embrace self-care during this transformative time:
Focus on the Fundamentals:
The journey through peri-menopause and menopause can bring about various physical and mental changes. Focussing on strong health foundations is critical and aligns these with our changing needs.
I advocate for beginning with rest. If you are an exhausted woman who never slots in deliberate rest, then it is way harder to begin the journey to making sustainable changes to nutrition, daily movement and sleep routines that support us well into later in life. I push back strongly on those who glibly insert the linkk for a yoga nidra as if that alone would solve the issue.
If you find it hard to carve out the space to rest, it is very often not related to time per se but to belief systems. Many women I work with say they feel guilty that these emotions are part of our learned behaviours. Maybe we’ve been praised in our younger years for that superwoman behaviour, or we watched our mothers never sit down to rest. I know that the latter was my blockage.
Once we are rested women, then we can prioritize our health by scheduling regular check-ups and sticking to them, focusing on nutrition, and engaging in daily movement that aligns with our changing needs. Putting in place a non-negotiable sleep routine that starts with morning sunlight and ends with a wind down before bed.
Delegate, Delete and Delay
If you have too many balls in the air, then it's okay to ask for help and delegate responsibilities. Whether it's at work or home, lean on your support network and share the load. Recognize that it's not a sign of weakness but a smart approach to maintaining balance.
Reevaluate your goals and expectations. Understand that you don't need to achieve everything at once. Set realistic and achievable goals, both personally and professionally, and break them down into manageable steps.
And maybe a lot of our doing simply isn't necessary. How much of our daily tasks could be dropped, and nothing would fall apart? The only gain would be extra energy and vitality to you.
I encourage you to jot down your daily tasks for a couple of days and then write whether they could be deleted, delegated or delayed. The do it! Feel how it impacts your sense of well-being.
Embrace Self-Compassion:
Compassion is more than being kind to yourself. It is an intuitive, immediate and relational way of living. Give yourself permission to have off days and to listen to parts of ourselves that are often contradictory and call upon a generous spirit and deep permission to care for yourself rather than the aversion and contempt we can feel when we are no longer able to live up to the falsehood of the Superwoman Syndrome.
Understand that you are not alone in experiencing the challenges of peri-menopause and menopause. Compassion stops us from asking for everything to be easy at this time; stop searching for a quick fix. Some of the experiences we have this time are not purely about our physical and hormonal changes but about the huge shift in how we perceive ourselves and are perceived.
Practising compassion also encompasses gratitude and a refusal to slide into regretful living. Gratitude allows us to shape the world around us with grace and beauty even when symptoms feel hard to bear, being present with great gratitude supports us.
Communicate Openly:
Create an open dialogue about peri-menopause and menopause. Whether it's with your family, colleagues, or friends, share your experiences and needs. By fostering understanding and support, you'll find navigating this phase of life easier.
It's crucial to remember that rethinking your role as a woman doesn't mean lowering your ambitions or settling for less. Instead, it's about recognizing the importance of self-care and balance in achieving long-term success and well-being.
By embracing these ways to navigate the Superwoman Syndrome during peri-menopause and menopause, you'll thrive and inspire those around you to do the same.
With my own journey and the hundreds of clients I've worked with over the last decade in practice, I invite you to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Let's support each other in redefining our roles and embracing self-care during life's transformative moments.
Exciting news - my book ‘Beyond Hormones’ is out at the beginning of March.
I am looking forward to launching this book into the world. It has been several years, and over 200 podcast episodes have gone into its creation.
We cover the key pillars of thriving through menopause beyond hormone therapy. I acknowledge that there are people better qualified than me to guide that HRT conversation.
Clinicians, nutritionists, exercise specialists, psychologists, sleep, sex and relationship experts, as well as inspirational coaches, have contributed their wisdom and expertise to make this book come to life.
If you would like to gain early access to the book, then you can do that here.
And if you would like to receive a free paperback copy of the book in return for an honest review prelaunch, then drop Yes in the comments.
Have a great week
Clarissa x
Hey Clarissa -- I read, and identify with, your description of SuperWoman! I also noticed that you are interested in reviewers of your book. As a Registered Acupuncturist, I see many female patients, and would be interested in your writing.