Can women really have it all?

You've been told you can have it all. But can you really? Can you really have a fulfilling career, a happy marriage, and well-adjusted, happy kids, all the while being able to take good care of yourself physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally? It sounds like a tall order. Societal pressures, including social media, TV and movies, and family pressures make it seem like you should be doing all areas of your life perfectly. That is not reality. And these pressures can lead to depression, anxiety, and burnout. I know because I've been there! And it led me to a pretty dark place. I stand with you to challenge societal and familial pressures on women, get clear about boundaries, and set realistic goals for your own wellbeing.

Family

Whether you are a mother, auntie, grandmother or caretaker, if there are children in your life, you are probably exhausted. You have little time for yourself because much of your time is spent giving to others. You may be married or partnered, which can be a huge blessing but can come with struggles of its own, including lack of sex drive, financial struggles, and sharing household responsibilities. And if you are dealing with unresolved trauma from your own childhood, this can make everything even harder. When you and I work together, we will clean up any past hurts and hangups, explore your goals and dreams, and create a plan to set those goals into motion. You can live a life that is yours while also caring for others.

Career

You made it! You worked your ass off to get here, so why don't you feel the satisfaction you thought you would? The demands at work may be keeping you from family and friends. A system which honors extroversion may not see your introverted self as a candidate for that promotion. Or maybe just because you are a female, you are getting paid less than your male colleagues and seem to be stalled on a lower rung of the corporate ladder. You keep giving your all until you wake up one day and realize the pressure, the stress, and the anxiety just isn't worth it. But what now? Let's work together to manage immediate symptoms that may be ruining your health and peace. Then let's discover if you can love your job again or if you need a change. We'll explore your passions and the legacy you want to leave for the world. And because you are an achiever and like hitting goals, we will make a plan and set realistic goals together.

Self-Care

Balancing motherhood and career brings constant stress. Add into the mix failing health of your parents, kids moving away and then coming back home again, and possible financial fears about retirement just on the horizon, and you have a recipe for anxiety. Women are powerful healers and givers. We give and sustain life. And though this is empowering and beautiful, if we are not caring for ourselves as well, it comes at a great cost. Seeing a therapist is a brave and strong act of self-care. It declares that you are setting yourself and your health as a priority. You are modeling good self-care for your children and are making it easier for them to seek help should they ever need it in the future. Women can have it all, but it does come at a price. The more we care for ourselves and know our boundaries, the more enjoyable it all will be.

Practical Soul Care: A Simple Guide to Reviving a Tired Spirit

I authored this book, inspired by my own breakdown from mom/career burnout, to help women who are struggling with the type of exhaustion that sleep will not cure. I went to a dark place, which I discuss in the book, that included substance abuse, depression, cutting, and paralyzing anxiety. This practical guide includes steps you can take now to start you on the path to healing. My own healing came when I finally sought help from a therapist for unresolved childhood trauma, worked with mentors to relieve substance abuse and codependency issues, and began really learning to love myself, know my worth, and set appropriate boundaries. Even if you don't think I'm the right therapist for you, I urge you to get a therapist to help you work through your pain. You deserve so much more than you think you do.
​Much love, Kelli (Hackett) Crane.