It’s a weight many of us know even if we rarely name it aloud. We carry an invisible backpack into every meeting, every project, and every workday. For so many women, that unseen load is our mental health. It’s a constant companion, shaping not just our mood, but our professional experience, our productivity, and ultimately, our careers. And it’s far more complex than “having a bad day”.
The landscape of our minds and the challenges we face, shift and evolve as we move through different seasons of life and career. As a young professional, I felt immense pressure to prove my worth. Success often felt fleeting, quickly eclipsed by the anxiety of the next challenge. Imposter syndrome was a persistent internal voice that kept questioning my abilities despite external validation. This quiet conflict endured in silence was deeply draining.
I later stepped into the chapter of motherhood, a masterclass in juggling priorities. The “second shift” at home doesn’t just add hours, it adds substantial mental weight. The guilt can be relentless, questioning whether we’re present enough for our children while trying to maintain professional momentum.
Coordinating childcare, school logistics, and unexpected illnesses, all layered onto ambitious career goals, often feels like walking a tightrope over a pit of burnout.
And the physical and emotional changes that accompany this stage?
They’re rarely acknowledged in professional settings.
Even for women leaders who appear to have “made it”, the load doesn’t disappear. The pressure to be a role model, to deliver consistently, and to hold everything together in both personal and professional spheres, exacts a different kind of toll. Surprisingly, imposter syndrome often lingers, even at the highest levels.
The impact of these cumulative and stage-specific challenges is real. It manifests in a deep, chronic exhaustion that turns simple tasks into heavy lifts. It’s the self-doubt that creeps in, even amidst accolades. It’s showing up physically while feeling mentally and emotionally checked out, unable to contribute fully.
These are not abstract ideas, they’re experiences I’ve lived and witnessed in others time and again. Recognizing this deep connection between mental health and our work lives isn’t just an act of empathy, it’s a strategic necessity for any organization that truly values its people.
Supportive, flexible, and emotionally intelligent workplaces aren’t perks, they are foundational. This means normalizing open conversations, de-stigmatizing mental health challenges, providing meaningful resources, and equipping leaders to recognize warning signs and respond with empathy.
When we acknowledge this unseen load and actively work to ease it, we don’t just help women cope. We help them thrive, unlock talent, strengthen loyalty, cultivate a more resilient, creative and truly human workforce.
It’s time to make the invisible, visible.
