How to Balance Work and Home Expectations on Women

You're putting in the hours and crushing it at work, but at home, there are baskets of laundry waiting to be put away. You've got a big deadline on a project, while at the same time, your family expects dinner to be ready each night.

In modern society, women wear many different hats. We've made great strides towards workplace equality, yet there's still an invisible weight from home and societal expectations. If you choose to excel in your career, you should do so while still maintaining your personal commitments, social engagements, and household responsibilities.

The pressure to do and have it all can feel overwhelming and isn't sustainable, especially when society tells us we should be able to handle it. This is where balance becomes a necessary tool.

Setting Boundaries That You Can Stick To

Boundaries are essential in any relationship, whether professional or personal. Often misunderstood as being selfish, boundaries are about being realistic with your energy. You only have so much energy in the bank each day, and if you overextend yourself, you're going to run out.

Start by assessing your situation to determine which aspects of your life are within your control and which are within your management. Not everything needs to be your responsibility, despite what you've been doing.

Is there anything your partners, children, or colleagues can complete without your direct involvement? Are there tasks that you can spread out to take some of the burden off your immediate plate?

The key is communicating your boundaries clearly and consistently. People can't read your mind, and they won't know you're overwhelmed unless you tell them.

Challenging Perfectionism

Odds are, if you're juggling multiple hats, you probably consider yourself to be a high achiever. You hold yourself to sometimes unrealistic standards. The truth is, sometimes good enough is good enough, and doing your best is good enough.

Perfectionism is a behavior that stems from an intense fear of failing or trauma from early childhood. Unfortunately, life is rarely perfect. You're going to have days when you miss replying to that work email, or when the house has to stay messy.

Accepting this doesn't mean you're lowering your standards. It just means you're spending your energy where it's needed rather than everywhere it can go. When you're more selective, you can show up fully for the activities that matter most.

Build Your Support System

Figuring out your work-life balance isn't something you need to do alone. Sometimes it takes a village. Having people in your corner can make all the difference, especially on the tougher days.

When you have a trusted support system, you'll be more inclined to delegate tasks to someone else. You won't fret as much to ask a favor when you're falling behind. Leaning on them becomes that much easier.

Move at Your Own Pace

Finding the perfect balance isn't something you'll be able to do overnight, or on your first attempt. Balance is an ongoing process that may need to be tweaked for different seasons of life.

Move at your own pace and work towards a goal of building a life that is sustainable and enjoyable. Be authentic. Be messy. Life is messy after all.

Working with a Professional

Therapy can be a helpful tool if you're trying to navigate relationship challenges, anxiety, or career burnout on top of the usual, everyday demands. Working with a therapist offers a safe space to explore boundaries and find your ideal balance.

Ready to Find Your Balance?

If you feel pulled in too many directions, therapy might be the support you need. Together, we can work on decluttering any unnecessary problems and find that healthy balance.

Women's counseling can help make it feel a little less challenging and a lot more fun to be a woman. Schedule your free consultation with me to get started.

About the Author

Shanni Liang, LCSW, is an Asian American therapist and the founder of Therapy with Shanni. She is dedicated to empowering deep thinkers, overachievers, and rebels to find love in dating and relationships, take up space, and achieve balance in their careers. As a recovered perfectionist, Shanni specializes in relational dynamics, career fulfillment, and trauma processing. Her extensive clinical background spans diverse settings, including crisis counseling, school social work, and various mental health clinics. Connect with her for flexible, personalized therapy.