The Super Woman Identity: Home Makers and Leaders
A Super woman identity has a huge expectation tag tied to it. Just as the name suggests, it creates an imagery of a superhuman woman who can do every and anything, possessing supernatural strength like its popular comic book character.
As far back as the times of female political leaders such as Cleopatra, and Joan of Arc, to when we had scientists,writers, and activists as Marie Curie, Jane Austen, Rosalind Franklin, and Harriet Tubman, women have made remarkable impacts in the society and world at large.
Women are nurturers and provide care and support to their families. Every woman plays an important role in family development, community building, and leadership positions in organisations. The expectations of being home makers and leaders have evolved and keeps evolving from has far back as when the emancipation of women rights was initiated in 1893 from New Zealand.
There has been a gradual but progressive shift from acquiescing the responsibilities of childbearing and home making to women. And more women have waded and still wading through the masculine waters of social and leadership positions. The first female world leader only came about 47 years after the first push for female emancipation in New Zealand. Khertek Anchimaa-Toka, of now defunct Tuvan People’s Republic was the first ever elected woman head of state in the world. And though the wheels of progress grind slow in elevating more women in society, and giving equal rights especially as leaders, a lot of women everyday are shattering glass ceilings as home makers and leaders.
A Super Woman’s persona is seen as an embodiment of strength and a symbol of empowerment. She represents the idea that women are capable and are ambitious. Being a super woman includes having the abilities to muti-task roles and responsibilities while furthering the cause of promoting gender equality and fairness as a feminist.
Balancing home and work roles requires finding a healthy equilibrium to have an overall healthy wellbeing. Taking deliberate specific steps and paying attention can also support personal and professional life success for women. There is a lot of unrealistic expectations and pressures placed on women to keep up the appearance of being “Super women” and in a bid to meet these set ideals there is a huge tendency to experience burnouts out of neglect for self-care.
It is essential for every woman to find a way to meet work responsibilities and make time for family, hobbies, and other interests. There must be intentional efforts invested to self-management, time management and stress management. Here are some tips which are necessary for every woman’s emotional, psychological, and physical wellbeing:
Time Management: Using digital tools for time management such as doodle, Meetfox, calendars and to-do lists for scheduling is important, they help in organising and prioritising activities in order of importance.
Order and Prioritizing: Defining and separating personal and professional obligations appropriately. Putting these obligations in order of importance will give clarity of purpose and enhance time management as well.
Delegation and Outsourcing: There is no shame in asking for help and outsourcing certain responsibilities. Both at home and work, certain tasks can be delegated, it is not possible to assume on the responsibility of taking on all tasks without burning out.
Self-Care: Physical and mental health care should be top priority. It is important to step-back and take some time and action to improve general wellbeing. Conscious deliberate actions such as regular sleep, taking walks, eating healthy are simple ways to maintain energy and a healthy mindset.
Boundaries: Clear and defined lines of expectations from work must be set. The role of a home maker and a work leader must be separated and compartmentalised accordingly. Keeping work away from home and home away from work.
Support: Make it a habit to seek support from family and close friends and have a healthy support system. They are a necessary part of executing tasks both at home and at work and a good sounding board for personal and professional advice.
Setting Practical Goals: Never assume the burden of setting impractical goals or targets. Strive towards approaching every task both personally and professionally in milestones having set objectives within a time frame. Keep an open mind approaching planning, ready to adapt to flexible changes.
Celebrating wins: Acknowledge and celebrate successes and achievements. They are huge morale boosters and energisers for motivation and accomplishments.
Ultimately while society places a huge burden on women to be super women every day, every woman owes herself the duty of care. Her role every day is a revolving one and requires periodic adjustments. It’s important to maintain flexibility, be open to receive and ask for help/ assistance where needed to balance her personal/work life.
Written By WiiN Member_ Adeshola Ekpo