As a single mother, business owner, and someone passionate about various shit, every day can feel like a marathon. There’s my son who’s the center of my world, my businesses that need constant nurturing, my home that deserves attention, and the reminder to carve out time for self-care amidst it all. Then, there’s supposed to be space for a social life, family time, and even—dare I say it—a dating life? If I’m being honest, trying to keep up with everything often feels like I’m spreading myself too thin, and this constant juggling act takes a toll.
For a long time, I felt guilty whenever I couldn’t give everyone and everything my full attention. My mind would spiral with thoughts of how I wasn’t being the “perfect” mom, the ideal business owner, or a good friend. The stress of trying to be everything to everyone mounted, and eventually, it started manifesting as extreme anxiety. I’d be exhausted, burnt out, and still feeling like I should be doing more.
But today, I’m trying to approach things differently. Instead of criticizing myself for what I didn’t do, I’m learning to be gentler with myself. I remind myself that there’s only so much of me to go around, and that’s okay. I’ve realized that being a loving mother, a dedicated business owner, and a good friend starts with caring for myself first. When I’m stretched too thin, no one—not my son, my work, or myself—gets the best version of me.
I’m slowly learning to let go of the guilt and practice self-compassion. Some days, I won’t have time to tackle every task on my to-do list, and that’s fine. Some days, I’ll need a few hours just for myself, even if that means postponing other things. I’ve come to see that being kind to myself isn’t selfish—it’s essential. By giving myself permission to rest, make mistakes, and prioritize what feels right in the moment, I’m setting an example of self-love and resilience for my son.
Balancing everything is no easy feat, and I still have days where the overwhelm creeps in. But now, I’m more forgiving, and I’m starting to understand that I don’t need to be “perfect” to be enough.
xoxo,
Alejandra