My friends and I have an ongoing joke about being superwomen. We talk about wearing capes and saving the world. You know, just your typical girl talk goofiness. But some of our jokes hold truth.
People have called me a superwoman. I usually laugh in their faces. But, in their opinion, I put my cape on and try to fix everyone and everything, never stopping until I get it right. Now back home and searching for jobs, I’m the same way, applying to as many jobs as possible, rewriting my résumé and cover letters over and over again. You get the picture.
I blame my superwoman personality on the women in my life. My mother, stepmother, godmother, aunts, cousins and best friends are my superwomen. I’ve watched them overcome personal struggles without a complaint or thrive professionally and run the world. These women have set the bar high and continue to challenge me to push harder, fight longer and be all I can be.
But there’s one problem with superwomen: we do not know how to take off our capes. We cannot ask for help in any way, shape or form. We try to save the world every day and do not understand why we can’t get it all accomplished. The women closest to me can’t accept my help even when it’s absolutely necessary. So how do we take our capes off?
First off, we are not superwomen with magical powers. We are human beings with real needs like sleep, food and breaks from our lives. Next, we need to realize that asking for help isn’t a weakness. Instead, it’s admitting we can’t do it all without losing our minds. Lastly, we have to stay balanced. Some days we can do it all with a smile. Others, we just need to lay on the couch, watch Scandal and pretend we’re Olivia Pope.
I will continue to iron my superwoman cape but I will also remember when to take it off and breathe. To my superwomen, thank you for inspiring me and being there every step of the way.
“A great friend looks out for you when you’ve forgotten to look out for yourself. Find these superwomen, love them and let them love you” – Alicia Keys
Tagged: Alicia Keys, Capes, Heroes, Human, Limitations, Personal Struggle, Superwomen, Women
The Rockstar Diaries 
LOVE THIS. I can totally relate, Alex.
Completely agree about needing to take off the cape and spend a lazy day on the couch…perfect way to beat the pressure of always needing to be a superhero.
Thanks Jess! I’m slowly learning to take off my cape and relax a little. Thanks for reading and commenting!
How true but honey, you gotta get yourself a wash n wear cape – don’t add ironing to your list of superpowers!
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