Balancing Motherhood and Career: The Challenge That Pushed Me Over the Limit

When I learned I was going to be a mother, I was filled with indescribable joy. I already imagined the happy moments I would share with my child, while continuing to climb the ladder of my career as an executive. Naively, I thought I could have it all: a thriving career and a fulfilling family life. What I hadn't anticipated was the exhausting marathon that this quest for the perfect balance would become.

The myth of the supermom

As soon as I returned from maternity leave, I dove headfirst into what I now call "the supermom myth." I wanted to prove to everyone—my colleagues, my family, and especially myself—that I could handle it all without flinching. Days began at dawn with bottles and ended late at night with reports to finalize. In between, it was a frantic race against time.

I still remember the day I had to rush out of an important meeting because the daycare called me: my son had a fever. The disapproving looks of some colleagues followed me to the elevator. That day, I felt for the first time the crushing weight of conflicting expectations placed on the shoulders of working mothers.

The impossible balance

Every day was a balancing act. I juggled strategic meetings and pediatrician appointments, presentations to prepare and meal planning. In the evenings, exhausted, I spent time with my son, consumed by guilt for not being more present. Once he was in bed, I turned my computer back on to catch up on work.

Weekends, supposed to be time for rest and quality family time, were often interspersed with work calls or impromptu work sessions during my son's nap. I kept telling myself it was temporary, that things would get better. But the months passed, and the balance I'd been seeking still seemed out of reach.

Societal expectations: an invisible burden

Over time, I realized that it wasn't just my own expectations that weighed on me, but also society's. On the one hand, I was expected to be a devoted mother, present at every important stage of my child's life. On the other, in the professional world, the slightest display of my parental responsibilities was perceived as a lack of commitment.

The decision that changed everything

This realization was the catalyst for my decision to change my life. I understood that true success was not measured by my professional performance, but by my ability to be present and fulfilled in all aspects of my life.

A new chapter

Today, as I shape my new career as a ceramicist, I realize how transformative this experience has been. I've learned that perfect balance doesn't exist, but it is possible to create a harmony that suits us.

I don't claim to have all the answers. Balancing motherhood and a career remains a daily challenge. But now, I approach it differently. I've learned to define my own criteria for success, set healthy boundaries, and most importantly, not be afraid to challenge the status quo.

To all the mothers who identify with this story, I want to say: You are not alone. There's no shame in admitting it's difficult, nor in asking for help. And above all, don't be afraid to redefine what a successful life means to you. Sometimes the greatest act of courage is choosing a different path, one that resonates with your deepest values.

Motherhood pushed me to my limits, it's true. But it also offered me the most wonderful opportunity of all: to reinvent my life on my own terms.