#IamEnough
There are times in this working parent juggling act that I feel so overwhelmed trying to keep everything from falling. I juggle working, long commute, life with a toddler, maintaining a healthy marriage, trying to do volunteer work, focusing on my health/wellness, being a support system to my friends and family, trying to cook, clean, and overall maintain my sanity. I’m fortunate to have a husband who doesn’t mandate me to do any of the above (except Work, mama gotta bring home some money!) yet I still feel like if I don’t try to do all of this then I wouldn’t be a good parent/friend/employee/wife. There are times where it all goes to sh*t and I just eat out, work from home, and plop my kid in front of the TV, but that doesn’t help either. I’m still filled with the void of trying to be enough, being lazy doesn’t help me feel less stressed! So what is the solution??? I’ve found that reading stories of other women, who are deemed successful, who share the same experiences has made me realize we are all ENOUGH! We are not alone in this journey, we are all struggling to do good by everyone. Valerie Jarrett (served as senior advisor to Obama!) said it best, “having children teaches you a certain conscientiousness, discipline and responsibility. We need to recognize that these broader life experiences add value, they don’t subtract!” My daughter has made me stronger than I could have ever imagined! At the end of the day my driving force is my confidence in myself and knowing that I am valued and that no one has the power to take that away from me.

Books that helped me realize my value:
>>Knowing your Value: Women, Money, and getting what you’re Worth by Mirka Brzezinski
>>On becoming Fearless...in Love, Work, and Life by Arianna Huffington
>>What happened by Hillary Clinton
>>In the meantime by Iyanla Vanzant