Esme's Blog:The Myth of Women Having it All

(WCCO) I must confess I read this story on feminist icon Gloria Steinem saying women can not have it all with a surprising amount of relief.

Why would I and perhaps other women feel relieved? Maybe because I like so many of the other women I know are trying to do it all - the snow covered driveway, the job, the bills, the kids, the homework, the activities, the laundry, the dishes, the shopping, the birthday parties, the Holidays, the Christmas Card, and well, you get my drift.

I must also confess that this time of year is often the most difficult, when the juggling seems to be at its peak, when the expectations I put on myself seem to soar. Steinem also addresses the overwhelming pressures women of all ages feel to still look well, to still be slim. Steinem said, "If we're going to change the ethic where a size zero and plastic surgery is the admirable norm, then the rest of us who aren't part of the admirable norm have to say so." Her comments came at a meeting on eating disorders.

I was a kid when Gloria Steinem led the charge to say women could do anything. And we can. Doing it all though is not possible without embracing imperfection and yes even failure at times. Again, it really surprised me the degree of relief I got from her comments so many years later. And so I will juggle my way through the Holidays with a thank you to Gloria.