Do you ever feel like your to-do list never ends, and that no matter how busy you are, you should always push yourself to make time for more commitments? Some days, you might feel like you have to be a “Superwoman.”

Not only do you have to do it all, you have to do it perfectly. There’s no room in your life for fatigue or imperfections. There is a certain standard that you have to uphold, and if can’t do it, you’ll be letting down yourself or others.

The truth is that lots of women feel the pressure to be superwoman. Yet this is an impossible ideal. These tips will help you let go of the idea that you’re required to be superwoman in order to be truly happy and successful.

Get Comfortable Saying “No”

Does it ever seem like you have no choice but to say “Yes” to everything? Whether people are asking you to take on new projects at work, get involved with a volunteer organization, or even babysit for an afternoon, you’re always nervous about saying, “No.” You might worry about what people will think or how they will judge you.

Test the waters by saying “No” to the next request someone makes when you’re already too busy. You might be surprised when they react with understanding rather than anger. It can take time to get comfortable with this, but after a while, you’ll be able to feel confident when you say “No.”

Focus on Your Priorities

As you consider your schedule, take a moment to reflect on your own priorities. Trying to be Superwoman can actually pull you away from the things that matter most of you and prevent you from embracing your full potential. It may sound counterintuitive, but this could be the result of stretching yourself too thin.

Ask yourself: what do you really want to be good at? How do you want to spend most of your time? Then, start letting go of time-consuming activities that get in the way of these priorities.

Accept Imperfections

It can be hard to accept your own imperfections. You might feel like allowing yourself to make mistakes means you’re setting a lower standard for your own behavior. Furthermore, you might feel like you’re disappointing the people who depend on you. But imperfections are inevitable—you can’t get through life without a few missteps. Learning to embrace your own imperfections and forgive yourself when things go wrong is very freeing.

Forgive Others

Sometimes, the key in forgiving yourself lies in forgiving others. This might seem contradictory. But when you can give the other people in your life a little more grace, it becomes easier to give yourself grace, too.

Be patient with the people in your life, and when they make mistakes, treat them the way you would want to be treated.

Surround Yourself With Kind People

Finally, it’s important to take a look at your own social circle. Do you feel like the people you spend time with are holding you to impossible standards? Have you been judged harshly for minor mistakes? Do they make you feel like you always need to keep up appearances, no matter how much you’re struggling?

If any of these scenarios sound familiar to you, it might be time to branch out of your current circle and start making new friends who can accept you as you are rather than demanding perfection.

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Are you struggling to juggle your endless responsibilities? Talking to a therapist can help you make a change. Reach out to us today to discuss your options for scheduling your first session.

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