Most women I know are natural jugglers. We navigate work and home life, personal responsibilities and public roles, motherhood, careers, relationships, and friendships. We toss new responsibilities into the air like batons, convincing ourselves we can keep them all suspended. Sometimes, we even call it exhilarating.
When a task isn’t completed, we simply keep it in the air. We tell ourselves, We’ve got this! We believe that as long as everything stays in motion, we’re in control. But as the load grows heavier, anxiety creeps in. How long can we keep this up? The pressure mounts, yet we refuse to let anything drop, afraid of disappointing others or admitting we need help. So, we dig in, work harder, and pile on more; more batons, more responsibilities, more stress.
But juggling indefinitely isn’t sustainable. If we don’t interrupt the cycle, the inevitable happens. We stumble, a baton falls, and suddenly, our confidence shatters. Doubt takes over, growing louder with each misstep. Instead of recognizing all we’ve successfully been able to manage, we question our abilities entirely. We lose morale, feel like imposters, and sink into overwhelm.
Overwhelm isn’t just a feeling, it has real consequences. It leads to procrastination, avoidance, and exhaustion. We begin to withdraw, neglect tasks, and isolate ourselves, reinforcing feelings of inadequacy. A vicious cycle takes hold, making it even harder to regain momentum.
It is important to understand that procrastination isn’t a personal flaw. It’s not laziness or lack of discipline. It’s a freeze response, our body’s way of signalling that we are overstretched and needs a reset. Instead of pushing through, we must learn to pause, assess, and realign.
This is the moment to practice self-care, not self-criticism. What batons can we set down, even temporarily? Can we delegate, delay, or let go of something that no longer serves us? True strength isn’t in juggling everything. It is in knowing when to release the unnecessary and prioritize what truly matters.
By allowing ourselves grace, seeking guidance, and making intentional choices, we reclaim control. We do not accomplish this by doing more, but by doing what matters most. The juggling act doesn’t have to break us; instead, it can teach us the power of balance, boundaries, discernment and letting go.
There is a pathway from problem to solution in four easy steps. If you are experiencing anxiety, stress, or overwhelm, or if you’re simply tired of juggling use the link below to set up a 30-minute complimentary call. It’s the first step on the path forward to gain momentum while creating a life of balance and ease. https://www.simoneusselmantod.com/link/
Simone Usselman-Tod CCP, TICC, RMT, CEBP
The Goal Accelerator Coach
Certified Neuro Linguistic Coach & Master Practitioner
Certified Neuro Change Method™ Coach & Practitioner
Registered Health Care Professional
Certified Life Coach & Business Coach
Certified Trauma-Informed Coach
