All women in me are tired
I come from a modest background where we lived paycheck to paycheck. My father made sure we received a good education, and I’m grateful for that. But it also instilled in me a sense of pressure to keep doing more. Now, I’m in a better financial situation than most women around me, but working non-stop has become the only normal I know.
I recently had a baby, and I’ve never felt more guilty. To cope, I’ve structured my day so I can care for my daughter from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., attend meetings, and try to pray during this time. I cook dinner until 9 p.m., then wash her and get her ready for bed. I sleep from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. (often waking up in between to tend to her), then get up for work. I work non-stop until 7 a.m., and try to finish everything by 9 or 10 a.m.
At first, I was proud of how much I could manage, but now I’m constantly exhausted, stressed, and irritable. My dark circles are getting worse, and I’ve developed a "moon face" from high cortisol levels. I recently switched to a new company, so I can’t take a break. And even if I did, my toddler would probably exhaust me even more.
I’m looking for advice from other working moms who don’t want to hire a nanny, (I hired one but got judged by the entire family - just desi things) but are trying to find a way to manage everything without burning out.
adding a few more things here
I have a supportive husband who does everything he can to make me comfortable. He works in tech, so his job is hectic, works long hours and by the time he gets home, he’s usually exhausted. But he still helps out however he can.
He has also stood by my side through my fertility treatments which crushed my confidence completely. I already feel like a burden so I really don’t want to ask for more.
Being the oldest in an all-girls family, I support my parents and my two sisters. I was working on automating income through a savings account, but with interest rates dropping, I’m starting to feel like I’ll never be able to relax.