Women’s History Month: Applauding Women’s Strength While Prioritizing Their Mental Health
Because the world asks a lot from women—
and it’s about time we start asking for more for ourselves.
March is Women’s History Month—a time to celebrate the unstoppable, boundary-breaking, glass-ceiling-shattering women who have shaped history. But let’s be real: while we’re out here cheering for the icons of the past, modern women are still juggling a never-ending list of responsibilities. We’re leading in boardrooms, managing households, fighting for our rights, and trying to squeeze in time for self-care (whatever that even means anymore).
And here’s the kicker—society keeps piling expectations onto women while still paying us less, criticizing our bodies, and telling us we’re “too much” (or not enough). No wonder so many women struggle with anxiety, burnout, perfectionism, and self-worth.
So, let’s talk about it. Let’s celebrate the women who’ve paved the way while also recognizing that mental health is just as important as any historical achievement. Because what’s the point of making history if we’re too exhausted, overwhelmed, and burned out to enjoy it?
The Unseen Battle: Women & Mental Health
1. The Mental Load: The Job You Never Applied For
Ever feel like you’re the CEO of your household, the designated “fixer,” the MVP at work, and the go-to therapist for your friends—all at once? Whether it’s organizing family events, remembering birthdays, managing the household, or being the emotional support system for your partner, friends, and coworkers—you’re constantly on-call for everyone but yourself. This invisible, unpaid labor is called the mental load, a.k.a. the invisible backpack of responsibilities we carry daily.
While we’re out here being project managers of our entire lives (and everyone else’s), the stress builds up. Studies show that women are twice as likely as men to experience anxiety and depression. And it’s no coincidence—constantly juggling responsibilities while never feeling like you’re doing “enough” is a direct highway to burnout.
Studies show that women carry significantly more of the emotional and domestic labor in households, even when working full-time jobs. This constant multitasking takes a toll, leading to anxiety, stress, and feelings of resentment.
What you can do:
Delegate: You’re not the only capable person in your home or office. Let others pull their weight.
Set Boundaries: “No” is a complete sentence. Say it without guilt.
Take Breaks: Rest is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. Prioritize downtime.
2. Body Image & Societal Expectations: The Constant Battle
From a young age, women are bombarded with unrealistic beauty standards. We’re told to be thin, curvy, youthful, toned—but not too much of anything. The constant comparison (thanks, social media) feeds body dysmorphia, eating disorders, and low self-worth. From diet culture to Instagram filters, it’s no surprise that women experience higher rates of body dissatisfaction and eating disorders.
But here’s the truth: your body is not a trend. It’s the vessel that carries you through life, and it deserves respect and care. It’s not here to be judged, criticized, or picked apart.
What you can do:
Unfollow Toxic Content: Curate your social media to uplift, not tear down.
Practice Body Neutrality: You don’t have to love your body every day, but you can appreciate it for what it does.
Seek Support: If body image struggles impact your mental health, therapy can help untangle deep-seated beliefs.
3. Perfectionism: Feeling Like “Not Enough”
Women are expected to excel in all aspects of life—career, relationships, motherhood, appearance—and look flawless while doing it. The pressure to be perfect is crippling and often leads to high-functioning anxiety, where you appear successful on the outside but are drowning internally.
Many women strive for perfection in every role—be the perfect mom, the perfect employee, the perfect partner, the perfect friend. And when we can’t meet these unrealistic standards (because spoiler alert: nobody can), we feel like failures.
Many women fall into the perfectionism trap, feeling the need to excel in every role they play. This relentless pursuit can be mentally draining and, ironically, counterproductive. Perfectionism is one of the biggest contributors to stress, anxiety, and low self-esteem. The reality? Done is better than perfect. You are enough just as you are.
Perfection is a myth. It’s an unattainable goal that fuels self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and burnout.
What you can do:
Ditch the “Shoulds”: You don’t have to have it all together. Let go of unrealistic expectations.
Redefine Success: Instead of perfection, aim for progress and balance.
Therapy Helps: Speaking to a therapist can help break free from perfectionist tendencies.
Honoring Women Who Made History (While Carrying It All)
Women throughout history have fought for progress while carrying the same burdens we still carry today. They weren’t just activists, leaders, or innovators—they were also mothers, caregivers, and women navigating societal expectations.
“Women belong in all places where decisions are being made.” - RBG
Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RBG) Before she became a Supreme Court icon, RBG was a mother navigating law school in a male-dominated world while also caring for her cancer-stricken husband. The late Supreme Court Justice balanced motherhood and a groundbreaking legal career, breaking countless barriers. If that’s not resilience, I don’t know what is.
Frida Kahlo She wasn’t just an artist—she was a revolutionary force who painted her pain, challenged beauty standards, and redefined what it meant to be a woman. An artist who turned her pain into powerful self-expression, proving that mental health struggles don’t define us.
How to Start Prioritizing Yourself
For centuries, women have been told to put themselves last. Enough of that. Taking care of your mental health is an act of defiance against a world that expects you to run on empty. Therapy, rest, joy—these are not indulgences; they are essentials.
Book a Therapy Session: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, talking to a professional can be life-changing. Therapy is self-care, not weakness. Women often feel guilty for seeking therapy because we’re expected to be “strong” all the time. But guess what? Strength is knowing when to ask for help.
Schedule “Me Time”: Whether it’s a solo coffee date or a weekend getaway, prioritize time just for you. Setting boundaries is an act of self-love. It’s okay to say no. It’s okay to disappoint people who expect you to be everything. Protecting your peace is a radical act in a world that demands too much.
Find Your Support System: Surround yourself with people who uplift you. Delegate, ask for help, and drop the idea that you need to be superwoman every single day.
Taking care of your mental health is not selfish—it’s survival. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or just plain exhausted, therapy can help. At TBH Counseling, we see you, we hear you, and we’re here to support you. Because taking care of yourself isn’t optional—it’s a necessity. Prioritize yourself unapologetically today
Be honest below, what’s one way you prioritize your mental health in a world that constantly asks for more? Drop your thoughts in the comments—we’re in this together.
Stay true to yourself,
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