The Truth About Doing It All: How Women Can Rise Above Exhaustion and Overwhelm

By LeeAnne Ruff

A woman embodies the struggle of balancing life's demands, highlighting the journey to overcoming exhaustion and reclaiming strength.

Let’s talk about it—really talk about it.

If you’re anything like me (and most women I know), you’ve had moments—maybe whole seasons—where you’re so overwhelmed that even the word “tired” feels like a joke.

We’re not just tired. We’re soul-deep weary.

We’re mentally juggling a thousand things while smiling through PTA meetings, boardrooms, late-night emails, sick kids, aging parents, and expectations that never seem to let up.

And you know what? You’re not alone.

The Research Speaks Loud and Clear

💥 According to a LeanIn.org and McKinsey & Co. study, 42% of women say they are burned out—a number that spikes even higher for moms, women of color, and caregivers.

💥 Women are also more likely than men to report physical symptoms of stress—headaches, fatigue, digestive issues, and emotional burnout (Journal of Women’s Health).

We’re not just doing the work—we’re carrying the mental load.

We remember the birthday cards. The lunch orders. The cleats. The therapy appointments. The 57 reminders that no one else hears.

And while the world applauds us for “doing it all,” no one’s asking at what cost?

So how do we keep going—without losing ourselves?

Here are six strategies I’ve learned, taught, and lived:

1. Name It to Tame It

Say it: I’m overwhelmed.

You’re not failing. You’re not weak. You’ve just been carrying too much. Naming it is the first powerful step toward changing it.

2. Drop the Cape

You don’t have to be Superwoman. That cape? It’s choking you. Rest is not weakness. Rest is resistance in a world that wants you depleted.

3. Practice Micro-Recovery

You don’t need a week off—you need moments built into your day:

• A deep breath outside

• Your favorite playlist while cooking

• A text to someone who gets it

  
  
  
  

These little acts recalibrate your nervous system and refill your tank.

4. Ask for Help—and Actually Receive It

This one’s hard, but powerful. Delegating isn’t giving up. It’s giving yourself space to breathe.

5. Your Worth Isn’t in What You Produce

You are not your to-do list. You are not your clean kitchen or inbox. You are worthy because you are here.

6. Connect with Women Who Get It

Find your circle. Create your table. Speak your truth and let others say “me too.” This is how we rise—together.

A Final Word, From One Woman to Another

I want to remind you that it’s okay to rest.

It’s okay to not have it all figured out. It’s okay to cry on the kitchen floor and then get up and try again. It's okay to want more for your life and need a break at the same time.

You’re not alone.

You’re not broken.

You’re just a woman who’s been holding too much—and it’s time to set some of it down.

Let’s redefine “doing it all” to mean doing what matters most—with intention, with grace, and with people who remind us that we don’t have to carry it alone.

You’ve got this. And I’ve got you.

Let’s keep showing up anyway.

You are enough. You are powerful. And you are not alone.

With love and truth,

LeeAnne