I vividly recall crunching Cheetos against the roof of my mouth after school while watching an Enjoli perfume commercial. It was the ’80s, and while I loved being a girl and adored perfume, that particular ad made me cringe. The woman in it, with her perfect Farrah Fawcett hair, was belting out some tune about bringing home the bacon, frying it in a pan, and then, after managing the kids, she treated herself to a spritz of perfume—all while looking stunning in a silky outfit, presumably for her man.
But honestly, I couldn’t help but wonder: Where was he during dinner, bath time, and bedtime while she was juggling it all? Even as a kid, I questioned why she seemed so thrilled about a life that looked utterly exhausting. When does she get to enjoy herself?
Let me be clear: I believe in the potential of women. We can achieve anything we set our minds to, and if one’s goal is to be a 24/7 superwoman, more power to them. I, however, am not one of those women.
I have a daily limit, and I refuse to spend my life running around to make everyone else happy at all hours. That’s not my job.
Can we bring home the bacon? Absolutely. We work just as hard as men (if not harder) and still earn only 55 to 79 cents for every dollar they make, depending on our backgrounds. Can we cook it up when we get home? Certainly! We can sizzle bacon or any other dish like pros. But I prefer to do that occasionally—about 55% to 79% of the time sounds good to me.
On some nights, I kick my feet up, order sushi, and devour it straight from the container. Other times, I declare it “whatever” night (translation: eat whatever you can scavenge), and that brings us all joy—especially me.
When it comes to parenting, we can handle it gracefully, but if there’s any hope for energy left for partner time later, I’ll need some help—ideally two hands, considering we have a busy household. My husband is a parent too; it’s not just “helping me” or babysitting. We’re sharing responsibilities as partners who chose to raise children together.
I’ve tried to be that woman who does it all, but she comes with a side of resentment and a hefty dose of “I refuse to live like this because I matter too.” So, I stopped trying to be her. I’d rather be content than have someone ask, “How do you manage it all?” The answer? Self-neglect. Just because society expects you to be the 24/7 woman doesn’t mean you have to.
While that commercial aired ages ago, the pressures on women remain. Many still feel the weight to excel at everything: looking flawless, achieving the dream career, maintaining a clean home, raising kids who excel academically and athletically, volunteering, and embodying that woman in the commercial who seems to do it all perfectly. But here’s the truth: She’s a myth.
Deep down, we all know that you can’t do everything without facing severe burnout. We recognize it when we struggle to keep pace. Feelings of inadequacy and exhaustion creep in, and trust me, many of us are navigating this challenge alongside you. It’s not just you; it’s the unrealistic expectations we impose on ourselves to be perfect. It’s exhausting.
We can excel at a few things, but trying to tick every box and be everything for everyone is a recipe for disaster. It leads to chaos, including personal burnout. And if women everywhere reach that breaking point, we all know the ship will sink faster than you can say, “Bring home the bacon.”
For those curious about enhancing their journey to parenthood, consider exploring fertility options. Check out this post on fertility boosters for men, or delve into couples’ fertility journeys for intracervical insemination. If you’re looking for resources on pregnancy, Healthline offers excellent information to guide you through the process.
In summary, while societal pressures continue to push women toward an impossible ideal, it’s essential to remember that we don’t have to do it all. Prioritizing our well-being is crucial, and sharing responsibilities with our partners is a must.
Keyphrase: Not available to family 24/7
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