Many successful women are exhausted because being the "strong one" became a trauma response. True strength isn't relentless self-sacrifice; it's self-knowledge and boundaries. You can't care for others sustainably without caring for yourself first.
Chapters
Why does being capable, successful, respected often translate into exhaustion instead of like fulfillment in life? So many strong women don't want help because they think that would make them weak and they just want to take care of everyone. But what makes us most capable is when we know who we are, we know what we want, we know what we need so that we can keep that battery charged like we're saying. Sometimes strength is a way to be in flight because I'm going to be strong so I can avoid how I feel. And what is uncomfortable in me, and I need everything outside of me to be the way I need it to be for me to be okay. They think my needs are met if everybody else's needs are met, but that isn't sustainable. And then there's a day where it just feels like too much and we just want to burn it all down so it can finally be our turn. But it can be your turn the second you decide it is, and that doesn't mean you stop caring about other people. One of the most important things my mom taught me was you can't take care of your family or everyone unless you take care of yourself. Yes. So put yourself there first. We get to be supported too, and that doesn't make weak. It makes you more equipped to be of service and enjoy your life. High-functioning unhappiness is, I'm doing it all right, I'm checking all the boxes, but I'm dying inside spiritually. But what we don't need is to wait for breakdown to break through and to finally get our own needs met. I can be there for you better when I'm taken care of too.
