Feeling Like You’re Holding Everything Together?
4th June 2026
There comes a point in many women's lives when it feels as though everyone needs something from them. Children need encouraging, guiding, and supporting; very much my world at the moment as I come to the end of GCSEs and A Levels for two of my sons.
Ageing parents need care, attention, and emotional support as they navigate new ways of life either having lost someone or with deteriorating health. Work continues to demand energy, focus and commitment.
Friends, family and everyday responsibilities all compete for space in an already full life.
And somewhere in the middle of it all, many women find themselves asking:
"When did I stop being a priority in my own life?"
If this sounds familiar, you're not alone.
The Invisible Load Many Women Carry
The women I work with are often highly capable, caring and dependable professionals that may find it awkward asking for help. They're the people others turn to not the people who go to others. But asking for help is a sign of courage, not weakness. Be it from a relative, a friend or a professional.
They're juggling careers, family life, ageing parents, relationships and the countless responsibilities that come with keeping life moving. From the outside, they often appear to be coping well. But underneath, many are carrying an invisible load. The constant thinking. The planning. The remembering. The worrying. The emotional labour that comes with caring for everyone else.
It can feel relentless.
Three Things I Want Every Woman to Know
1. You're Not Failing – You're Carrying Too Much
One of the most common things I hear from women is: "I don’t have the time." The reality is often very different. We can’t make time but we change how we use it. Many women aren't failing. They're overloaded. They're trying to meet the needs of multiple people while leaving very little time, energy, or space for themselves. Recognising this can be the first step towards creating change.
2. Boundaries Are Not Selfish
Many women struggle with boundaries because they worry they'll disappoint people or people will judge them. But healthy boundaries aren't about caring less.
They're about caring sustainably.
Sometimes a boundary sounds like:
"I can't do that today."
"I need some time before I answer."
"I'm not available then."
"I need support too."
Small boundaries can create big shifts.
3. Your Wellbeing Matters Too
When life becomes busy, wellbeing is often the first thing to disappear yet it should be your essential. Rest gets postponed, whether that be sleep, a good book or a day at a spa. Needs get ignored. Time for yourself gets pushed to the bottom of the list, yet this is counter intuitive as we can’t pour from an empty cup. Your wellbeing isn't something you should have to earn. It isn't a reward for getting everything done. It's an essential part of living well. And when your wellbeing improves, everything else becomes easier to navigate too.
Creating Space for Yourself
One of the biggest misconceptions I see is that creating space means adding more to an already full schedule.
It doesn't.
Sometimes creating space means:
asking for help
letting go of perfection
saying no
resting before you're exhausted
recognising that your needs matter too
Small changes can have a profound impact on how you feel.
A Question for You
If you had just one extra hour each week that was entirely yours, how would you spend it?
Not catching up. Not helping someone else. Not ticking jobs off a list. Just for you.
Your answer may tell you more than you realise, remain open and curious to what that answer is telling you.
Over the coming weeks, I'll be sharing practical tips, reflections and coaching insights to help women create healthier boundaries, improve their wellbeing, and feel more like themselves again.
Because supporting others shouldn't come at the cost of losing yourself.
