Why “Work-Life Balance” Isn’t the Solution for Women Today

I often hear women talk about “work-life balance” as the golden key to having it all - the career, the family, the friendships, and some elusive concept of self-care. It’s an idea that seems so logical on the surface, but over years of working with incredible women, I’ve come to see the cracks in this way of thinking.

The truth is, balance as we imagine it often doesn’t exist in the real world. Life is fluid and constantly shifting; one season demands more of us as mothers, another as business owners, another as leaders or friends. For many of us, life’s demands aren’t a neat set of priorities we can “balance” perfectly. In fact, trying to balance it all often leads us right into burnout.

The problem, I believe, is that we’re up against an ideal much bigger than work-life balance. We’re facing a myth, one that celebrates women who can “do it all” without breaking a sweat: the myth of Superwoman.

The Superwoman Myth: An Unattainable Standard

Superwoman is more than just an expectation; she’s a cultural ideal, a set of standards that many of us have unknowingly absorbed. She’s supposed to be the perfect employee, the ever-present mother, the loyal friend, the quintessential partner. And while striving to do our best in these roles can be deeply fulfilling, feeling we have to excel in all of them simultaneously—and flawlessly—is a trap.

The myth of Superwoman is not just exhausting; it’s downright unattainable. And yet, when we fall short of these impossible standards, many of us feel a profound sense of guilt and self-doubt. “Why can’t I keep up? Am I failing?” we ask ourselves, as though it’s our personal failing rather than the inevitable result of an impossible ideal.

I share these insights in my book, Superwoman: Escaping the Myth, because I’ve seen firsthand the toll this mindset takes on women’s well-being. The cultural paradigm that urges women to excel in every area without respite isn’t something we can simply “choose” not to buy into. It’s deeply ingrained, and letting go of it requires us to consciously and compassionately shift how we approach life.

Why Balance Isn’t the Answer—But Alignment Might Be

When we talk about work-life balance, it’s often framed as if we just need to fit more in, more neatly—another way of trying to be Superwoman. But instead of aiming for balance, what if we aimed for alignment?

Alignment isn’t about juggling every role perfectly. It’s about getting clear on what truly matters to us and making space for that, without guilt. Sometimes, alignment means letting go of obligations that don’t serve us. Other times, it means embracing the flexibility to devote our time to the people and projects that light us up, even if it means letting a few other plates drop.

Balance can be a fleeting goal in the whirlwind of life’s constant demands, but when we’re aligned with our values, we find fulfillment and resilience. We let go of the pressure to meet every external expectation, and we embrace a path that feels sustainable for us—one that might look completely different than someone else’s.

Creating a New Paradigm, Together

Through One of many®, we’re building a supportive network for women who want to redefine success. Together, we can move beyond the myth of Superwoman and begin to prioritize well-being, authenticity, and meaningful impact. By lifting each other up and sharing the tools that help us thrive, we’re creating a new standard—one that honors the richness and diversity of our lives without sacrificing ourselves along the way.

Letting go of Superwoman isn’t about giving up on your dreams or pulling back from your passions; it’s about grounding those dreams in a sustainable way. It’s about giving ourselves the space to lead, live, and love with intention, without the crushing weight of perfectionism.

I invite you to join this journey - toward living, leading, and loving well. I believe that as we do, we’ll see just how powerful we can be when we embrace what truly matters and release the rest.