The problem with having it all is that no one ever told us that it wasn't going to feel good.
Michelle Gauthier:You're listening to Overwhelmed Working Woman, the podcast that helps you be more calm and more productive by doing less. I'm your host, Michelle Gauthier, a former Overwhelmed Working Woman and current life coach. On this show, we unpack the stress and pressure that today's working woman experiences and in each episode, you'll get a strategy to bring more calm, ease and relaxation to your life.
Michelle Gauthier:Hi, friend, if you've got the career, the house, the busy calendar, the kids that you wanted and it feels like too much and not enough all at the same time, this episode is for you. It is a reality check and a release, because I feel like we've been sold the bill of goods, that having it all is the ultimate goal, but what no one told us about that is that maintaining it is exhausting and it often leaves us feeling disconnected from ourselves. This is a problem that a client just brought to me this week and that I have heard many times from my clients. And, to be honest, this is really the reason why I became a life coach, because I felt this way, like I have everything I ever wanted and I still don't feel good. It didn't feel like I thought it was going to feel.
Michelle Gauthier:When you listen today, you're going to learn why having it all often turns into doing it all and why traditional success can still feel empty, and then what to do about it. So having it all often means doing it all. You're checking every box Work, home, health, family, friendships, partner and in the end, a lot of times, there's no space left for you. So you go to work all day you come home, make the healthy dinner, answer the emails, help with homework and literally collapse into bed at 10 pm, wondering why you still feel behind. Your life probably looks really impressive from the outside, but inside you might be feeling tired and resentful and definitely overwhelmed. If that is you, you are absolutely not alone. The thing is, the success that we have been aspiring for doesn't always feel like success. So you got the promotion. You have the paycheck that you wanted, you planned and went on the best vacation. You remembered the school snacks. You have the paycheck that you wanted, you planned and went on the best vacation. You remembered the school snacks and all the little things that you needed to do for the week. But instead of feeling proud and peaceful, you're asking is this it? And then going for the next thing. So okay, I got that promotion, now what? I guess I need to work on getting the next one. So you end up being on this hamster wheel where you just continue to run and check everything off your list and move on to the next thing, but you still probably lay awake wondering what didn't I get done today and what all do I have to do tomorrow to keep this hamster wheel spinning.
Michelle Gauthier:So I'm here to say that real purpose isn't adding more. It's really choosing and appreciating what matters right now, because juggling everything and doing everything and as women, it's often doing everything for everyone else it really disconnects you from yourself. What I found when I was working through this problem for myself with a life coach was that I didn't feel like I was present anywhere. I was running around all the time not really appreciating or giving my full focus to anything. I was also spending a lot of time on things that I didn't even truly care about. So letting go of that idea about what success should look like and shifting it to what real success looks like for you isn't about doing more. It's about focusing on what really matters to you.
Michelle Gauthier:So for today, I just want you to think about what part of this having it all and I'm using air quotes when I say having it all in this situation do I actually not want anymore. Just ponder that question and maybe get out a pen and paper and actually journal about it. Pretend that it's possible for you to just cross anything out of your life that you don't want anymore and write that down on a piece of paper and let that guide your next decision. And if your next decision is, I need help to figure this out. I need help to transition my to figure this out. I need help to transition my on paper successful life to feeling good to me. I can help you. I have a one on one coaching spot open right now and I can help you feel good about your life.
Michelle Gauthier:A lot of times people think that they have to do a major change, they've got to change their job or get a divorce or whatever it may be and, yes, sometimes my clients do that but a lot of times that a shift in mindset and a shift in the things that you're actually doing that are small things that are draining your energy, can really make you appreciate and feel fulfilled in the life that you already have. So reach out to me. I would love to talk to you. I always do a free consultation, so even if you don't decide, coaching is for you. You will get something out of that meeting. Okay, have a great week, and here's to having it all in a way that actually feels good.
Michelle Gauthier:Thank you for listening to the Overwhelmed Working Woman podcast. If you want to learn more about my work, head over to my website at michellegauthier. com. See you next week.