Why Working Moms Stay Overwhelmed (And How to Break Free Without Guilt)
Feeling stuck in a never-ending cycle of burnout, overwhelm, and self-doubt—even when you're trying your hardest?
You’re not alone. And you’re definitely not broken.
In today’s episode, I’m joined by award-winning Clinical Psychologist Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala to uncover the real reasons ambitious working moms stay stuck in burnout... and how you can finally reclaim your time, energy, and leadership strengths—without sacrificing your family, your career, or yourself.
Grab your coffee (or reheat it for the third time!) and let’s dive into a game-changing conversation that could finally give you the clarity you've been craving. ☕️
Watch the episode here:
Listen to the episode here:
💡 In This Episode, We Cover:
Why traditional productivity hacks don’t fix burnout
The mindset shift every overwhelmed working mom needs
How to identify your true values—and stop overcommitting
Simple, science-backed strategies to say "no" without guilt
How strengths-based leadership can help you build a career and life you love
✨ Key Quotes From This Episode:
"The problem isn't inefficiency. The problem is overcommitment."
"Sometimes we are the architects of our own cages—and breaking free starts with choosing differently, one step at a time."
💬 The Deeper Truth: Why Productivity Hacks Aren't Enough
If you’ve ever bought a new planner, tried the Pomodoro method, or signed up for another time management strategy... only to find yourself still exhausted weeks later—you’re not the problem.
The problem is that the world benefits from women’s emotional and literal unpaid labor.
We are bombarded with messages that make it feel like if we just optimized a little more, we could finally “do it all.”
But the truth is: you’re not supposed to do it all.
Work-life balance isn't about perfect 50/50 splits every day.
It’s about seasonal leadership—knowing when to lean into your career, your family, your health, or yourself—and giving yourself permission to ebb and flow without guilt.
And that starts with getting crystal clear on your values.
When you know what truly matters most to you (not what society, your boss, or your PTA expects), it becomes so much easier to:
Prioritize what matters
Set healthy boundaries
Lead your life and career with calm, clarity, and confidence
You’re not failing—you’re ready for a new framework that actually honors your full life.
You are not meant to do it all. You are meant to do what matters. Let’s start leading from that place—together. 💛
💼 Ready to Break Free From Overwhelm?
🚀 Take my FREE Leadership Style Quiz to identify your strengths and career growth path
📩 Join the Career Growth for Working Moms Facebook Group for exclusive career tips and support
🎙️ Connect with Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala
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