My Wake-Up Call: Caught In The Superwoman Syndrome
I never imagined I would fall into the superwoman syndrome. But here I am, facing a reality I never saw coming. For those who know me, I’m a private person. While I appreciate certain aspects of social media, being visible on these platforms has never been my comfort zone—I much prefer to work behind the scenes. So sharing this part of my journey is particularly vulnerable, but I believe it’s time to open up and let others know that even the strongest among us can face struggles, too.
It happened to me... I made the big mistake of striving for perfect perfection. I believed that if every detail was flawless, success would naturally follow. This relentless pursuit of perfection quickly morphed into what I now call the “superwoman syndrome.” I tried to be the perfect mother, the ideal wife, and an unstoppable entrepreneur all at once. I was running myself down only to find that the weight of those expectations was too heavy to bear.
One of the most poignant moments in this journey came when my son went off to college. Watching him step into a new chapter of his life was an emotional roller coaster—filled with pride, heartache, and a deep sense of change. His departure forced me to confront the reality that life is all about transitions. I realized that while I was busy chasing an unattainable ideal, I had lost sight of the importance of embracing every phase of life, including its imperfections.
This experience taught me several invaluable lessons that I want to share with my fellow entrepreneurs. First, it’s okay to be vulnerable. In our quest for success, we often hide our struggles, believing that vulnerability is a weakness. In truth, it’s a strength. Acknowledging our imperfections and allowing ourselves to be human not only lightens the load but also builds authentic connections with others who are on a similar path.
Secondly, when you strive for an impossible ideal, you set yourself up for constant disappointment. Instead, focus on progress. Celebrate small wins and understand that each setback is an opportunity to learn and grow. As my dear friend Desiree Maya highlights throughout her incredible book Born Unbreakable, life isn’t about being flawless—it’s about being resilient, adaptable, and true to your vision.
Another critical lesson was about the importance of self-care and boundaries. In the whirlwind of managing multiple roles, I neglected my own well-being. The stress of trying to be everything for everyone eventually led to burnout. I had to learn the hard way that taking time for myself wasn’t selfish; it was essential. By setting clear boundaries between my personal life and my business, I'm learning to find the space to recharge and ultimately, the strength to keep moving forward.
Lastly, I discovered that not everyone you think is in your corner. The ups and downs of running BRA-sériē humbled me and forced me to reexamine my support system. I learned to value genuine relationships and to build a network of people who truly believed in my vision—people who encouraged me to be authentic and resilient. This is why I launched WO3 several years ago, our sister site, which is dedicated to building community and supporting women-owned/led businesses.
Don't get caught in the superwoman trap like I did—it’s a tough climb out once you're in. To every entrepreneur out there: be gentle with yourself. Embrace the imperfections, lean into vulnerability, and know that your worth isn’t defined by doing it all flawlessly. Your authenticity and resilience are what truly shape your journey—and in showing up as you are, you’ll inspire others to chase their dreams, no matter how winding the road may be.
If you have reached to the end of this blog, there is just one more thing I want you to know. I’m no different than you. I have good days and bad, moments of doubt, quiet challenges I don’t always talk about. I worry about the future. I wonder if I’m too old to be an entrepreneur, if I have what it takes to keep going. But I keep showing up. I keep pushing forward, learning, evolving. And I encourage you to do the same. Whatever dream or challenge you’re facing, you’re not alone. If I can do this, so can you!
I would love to hear thoughts so please feel free to drop a comment below.
I feel the same way but didn't know there is a term for it until now. Thanks for shedding some light on the topic and for sharing your story.
Tammi,
Wow, you’ve shed a light on the struggles that women face just to be “equal” in our various business communities, historical home cultures and entrepreneurial environments at all stages of our lifetimes. You Go Girl!! We often feel the need to shine our light so bright as to not be seen, while we are “showing “ up and out. I’ve often put on my “super woman cape” to fly high above it all as a safe space to get my projected goals done without all the “traffic” in my life. I shortly tired and came stumbling to a rocky landing. However, I rose from the ashes learning the greatest lessons of all—I am ENOUGH, no matter my age, ra…
Tammi,
Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability. Your message is incredibly inspiring and greatly needed. So many women, myself included, feel the pressure to be, to do, to have, etc., all at once and get caught up in a whirlwind of hopelessness and despair. You have laid out the welcome mat and welcomed us into a world of possibilities-at our OWN pace. BRAVO!