You have a to do list that is never ending. You love your children and/or grandchildren to pieces and want to do everything that is best for them. You’ve been achieving at top speed all your life. When someone asks how you are, your response is, “Oh, I’m so busy.” How did this Super Woman voice get so firmly ingrained in our heads? How did “busy” get to be a medal of honor?
The dilemma with being so busy is the toll it takes on our health. The flight or fight response – adrenaline- stays high when we’re hurrying here and there. That causes high blood pressure, a build-up of cholesterol in our system and in our brains, all kinds of stress-related illnesses, such as heart disease, obesity, depression, anxiety, even migraines.
So what are you to do to quiet the Super Woman voice in your head and in your life? Here are three things that have helped me:
1) Remember who is in control
When things feel out of control, remember to turn things over to God. I know I can get spinning and bouncing like a pin ball machine. If I can stop, breathe and take time to pray, I can remember that nothing happens outside of God’s view. I may not be in control of what is happening, but I can lean into Him and ask for wisdom, guidance, clarity and peace – moment by moment.
2) Super Woman is a fictional character
I wonder where I got the idea long ago that I could do it all, be the special person to everyone and still stay healthy. Someone told me once that “No” is a complete sentence. I thought by being and doing everything for everyone, I could be that Super Woman.
What being the Super Woman got be was migraines, depression, anxiety and very poor health. I wasn’t listening to what my body needed. I have since learned that unless I am healthy mind, body and soul, I can’t be of use to anyone else. Super Woman may have had extraordinary strength and powers – which is what made her story so appealing.
I don’t have those same powers. I am finite, and I need to pay attention to my boundaries, which are changing as I get older. In my head, I’m still 30ish. However, my body is 60ish so my stamina is very different now.
3) Letting go requires wisdom
I think the hardest part about taming the super woman in my head is knowing when and how to let go of what things. I am very attracted to “shiny baubles”, those good things in our lives that get our attention. However, as I shed the super woman, I can’t do them all.
What are the intentional “best” things I am called to do? For me, I have three arenas: connecting with family and friends, purposeful writing, praying and coaching to walk alongside other women and self-care of mind, body and soul. Those are the three areas that take up my focus of living.
The Take Away
What about you? How loud is the Super Woman voice in your head? When was the last time you gave yourself permission to sit and read a book?
What do you need to let go of and let God lead the way?
What part of Super Woman’s story are you still believing?
Where do you still need wisdom to determine what needs letting go?
I would consider it a privilege to walk with you as you clarify what needs to be destashed from your life and how you can move forward more purposefully. I have a group coaching opportunity coming up online, starting April 30th, that you may be interested in. It will meet for four Mondays, from 7-8 and focus on discarding the chaos in your life to be filled with peace. You can find out more information on my home page by clicking here. I would love to have you.
Shedding those Super Woman thoughts are not easy, yet necessary for that journey to a more peaceful, well-nourished life. I would love to see you, starting April 30th.
Nancy Booth helps you discard chaos and uncertainty as you journey towards a well-nourished life after 50. She helps you embrace wellness, purpose and intentional connections in your life. Her coaching process helps you design your own personal roadmap to help you build a healthy, purposeful and peaceful mind, body and soul. She would love to walk your journey with you.