I was scrolling through LinkedIn (I’m guilty of spending too much time there), and I stumbled upon this video of a successful woman being interviewed. I didn’t catch the question, but her response caught my attention.
She said something like,
“Many people congratulate me for juggling work and raising children, asking how I manage both so well. But the truth is, I don’t excel in both areas simultaneously. It’s nearly impossible to succeed equally in both. One part of your life will always thrive at the expense of the other. You can’t do it all, so don’t be fooled. I credit my success to the supportive community of family and friends who helped me manage both aspects of my life. Without them, I wouldn’t be here today!”
Wow, that hit deep. Especially because I’m in the same boat, juggling work and kids, but I can’t say I’ve got it all figured out like she seems to. Unlike her, I don’t have that supportive community, not because they’re not there but because my job forced my family to move to a new town.
Imagine this: raising three kids, working full time, and managing my website (Youthfinancialfreedom.com) — check it out, it’s pretty cool. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by how little time I have. I blink, and it’s morning — time to start the crazy morning routine. I get the toddlers ready for school while the baby demands to be breastfed. My helper has to focus on cleaning because she has to finish before taking on babysitting duties before I head to work.
Then it’s work, work, and more work, plus my personal project. And before I know it, it’s the end of the day — time to rest? I wish! The toddlers need help with homework, and I have to cook dinner before 7 pm or they’ll fall asleep hungry. Did I mention the last-minute WhatsApp message from my boss about an emergency meeting and a 1000-word document I have to memorize by morning?
Oh, also there is the responsibility of posting on my website, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Medium. I have to keep the algorithms from forgetting I exist and push my content. Fighting the good fight for visibility!
You’d think the nights would get easier, right? I’d sleep like a baby? Well, I am sleeping like a baby — waking up several times at night to breastfeed and tend to the baby’s needs. (Because, let’s be real, most babies don’t sleep through the night!)
If I could afford more help, I would, but money’s tight. For now, it’s just me doing it all. The woman was right — you can’t do it all, or if you can, it’s at a snail’s pace.
I don’t know… How do you do it? Share your secrets.
