Female Entrepreneur Silent Scream: Embrace the Chaos & Thrive
- (Admin) The Thrivology Company
- Jul 14, 2024
- 6 min read
From "Keeping Calm and Carrying On" to "Just About Holding It Together": Embracing the Silent Scream (and Why It's Okay)
Let's be honest, ladies. How many times have you, as a female entrepreneur—especially if you're juggling motherhood—projected an image of serene competence online while internally... well, let's just say there's a whole lot of beautifully chaotic juggling happening behind the scenes? You know, the kind where you're mediating a sibling squabble over a rogue crayon while simultaneously trying to deliver a flawless presentation on Zoom (mute button, my hero!). Or perhaps you're crafting an inspiring Instagram post about work-life balance while simultaneously trying to decipher your toddler's unique brand of pottery-cup-related crisis management (because apparently, the blue cup is ONLY for water, & the red one? Strictly for imaginary tea).
I get it. Truly. Because honestly, my life often feels like a real-life episode of "Whose Chaos Is It Anyway?" Just the other day, I was prepping for a client call with a potential Momentum Coaching client, mentally running through key talking points about scaling her business, when my youngest decided it was the perfect time to showcase his newly acquired talent of emptying the entire contents of the kitchen utensil drawer onto the floor. And of course, it was right before I had a surprise video call with my coach! The clatter of whisks & spatulas – and yes, even the potato masher – was definitely NOT part of my planned presentation soundtrack.
The thing is, these "silent scream" moments – the ones where we’re expertly managing chaos just beneath the surface while projecting an image of calm competence – are often the unspoken reality of our entrepreneurial journeys. We’re masters of the balancing act, adept at switching gears from CEO to chief negotiator (of bedtime stories) in the blink of an eye. & we rarely talk about the emotional labour involved.
But what if I told you that these moments aren't something to be ashamed of or hide? What if they're actually a testament to our incredible resilience, adaptability, & sheer bloody-mindedness as women in business? What if, instead of viewing them as failures, we reframed them as proof of our ability to handle whatever life (and our little humans & fur babies) throws our way?
Owning the Beautiful Chaos: Why Acknowledging the "Silent Scream" Matters
It's tempting, especially in the curated world of online business, to present a picture of effortless success. But the truth is, entrepreneurship, especially when combined with motherhood, isn’t always Instagram-worthy. It's messy, it's unpredictable, & yes, it often involves a fair bit of internal screaming (even if it’s just a metaphorical one). My research into female entrepreneurship constantly highlights this very real tension between the polished online presence and the often chaotic reality behind the scenes. A common theme emerging from my PhD research is how women entrepreneurs, often mothers, masterfully navigate these dual realities.
Acknowledging these moments, even if it's just a private sigh of relief or a whispered "you got this" to yourself in the bathroom mirror, is a crucial first step. It’s about owning our experiences, embracing the beautiful chaos that comes with being a multifaceted woman, & rejecting the pressure to be perfect.
Remember that private school experience I mentioned? The one where I felt so behind & struggled to find my voice after transferring mid-year? That taught me the importance of tailored support & the right environment, & how important it is to keep pushing through, even when it’s tough. Honestly, it’s not been easy. My journey is slower. I have four children, I'm doing a PhD – am I going slower than a 20-year-old with no dependents? Yes, of course, I am! Doesn’t mean I can’t get there because of my situation – that's down to me. This is what "owning your journey" truly means. It's a theme that keeps surfacing in my PhD research – the resilience of women entrepreneurs navigating multiple commitments while still pursuing their vision. It often feels like a "tortoise and the hare" situation, but slow and steady, with the right support, wins the race.
From Scream to Serenity: Navigating the Juggle with Grace & Humour
So, how do we navigate these "silent scream" moments with a little more grace (and a lot more humour)? It’s about creating a system that supports our whole selves, not just our business goals. Think of it like the Femmeprenista Business Flourish Framework: Build a Thriving Biz in action. Foundation Builders and Scaling Leaders, especially, can benefit from implementing these strategies early on. I remember feeling completely overwhelmed when I first tried to prioritize focus. It felt impossible with a toddler demanding my attention every five minutes!
Prioritize Focus: Carving out pockets of focused work time, even if it's just 15 minutes between school pick-up & dinner prep, can make a world of difference. It took me a long time to implement this, too! When my third child was a toddler, I spent six months struggling to carve out even 15 minutes for myself! Perhaps try the Pomodoro Technique, but set the timer with a slightly more upbeat ringtone than the standard one (because let's be honest, who needs more stressful beeps in their day?). If you're anything like me, your phone is already buzzing with enough notifications!
Embrace Flow: Efficient systems are your secret weapon. Automate what you can, delegate what you can’t, & ditch the tasks that drain your energy. Perhaps leveraging smart AI tools to truly streamline your processes can help you reclaim precious time. This is where embracing the Fusion aspect of the Framework—integrating AI strategically—becomes a game-changer. Think about using AI to schedule social media, manage your inbox, or even create basic marketing copy. Imagine having an AI assistant that handles your email marketing, freeing you up to focus on client calls or – dare I say it? – a quiet moment with a cuppa. This is the power of Fusion, weaving AI into the very fabric of your business.
Fuel Your Well-being: Prioritizing well-being isn't a luxury; it’s a necessity. Even micro-moments of self-care – a five-minute meditation, a quick walk around the block, or a cup of tea in peace (while the kids are miraculously occupied, and Espresso, my hyperactive Miniature Pinscher, isn't using my laptop as a chew toy) – can help replenish your reserves & restore a sense of calm. For me, even just stepping outside to water my plants (yes, I'm a plant mom, too!) can be a mini-reset.
Want a simple checklist to help you implement these strategies? Download our free "Juggler's Guide to Focus, Flow, & Fuel" here: Downloadable Checklist
Remember, it's not about achieving perfect balance (because seriously, who has time for that?). It's about finding small, smart strategies that work for YOU & your unique brand of beautiful chaos. My PhD research consistently shows that for female entrepreneurs, especially mothers, well-being isn't a "nice-to-have"; it's a non-negotiable for sustainable success.
Finding Solidarity in the Shared Scream
You are not alone in this. I’ve been there, countless times. And so have countless other female entrepreneurs, especially mothers, who are masterfully managing the juggle behind the scenes, often dealing with the pressures of stagnant wages and rising living costs – like how the price of childcare has increased almost 40% in the last 5 years, according to a study by the Childcare Cost Study – all while dreaming of building a business that truly supports their families.
Let’s connect, share our stories, & laugh together at the absurdity of it all. Join our Femme:Connect Community Page, where we celebrate the wins, commiserate over the spills (both metaphorical & literal – remember that castor oil incident?), & remind each other that we’re all in this together. Because sometimes, the most powerful antidote to the "silent scream" is simply knowing that someone else understands. We share tips on everything from navigating school holidays to finding affordable childcare – because let's face it, the entrepreneurial journey is a windy path, and we need all the support we can get. Inside Femme Connect, you'll find other entrepreneurs just like you, juggling the same joys and challenges. It's a safe space to ask questions, share wins, and get support when you're feeling overwhelmed.
It's time to embrace our full selves, "silent screams" & all. Because it's in the midst of this beautiful chaos that we discover our true strength, resilience, & the unwavering power of the Femmeprenista spirit.
Ready to launch your online business with confidence & clarity? Join our 12-week Launch Programme and build the foundations for sustainable success.
Carlene Nisbett
Founder & CEO, Femmeprenista (Coach, Mentor, Speaker)
Wife, Mother of four, Business Owner, PhD Researcher, Pet mom, Plant mom, 5'0" tall Passionate Multitasker & Wine Lover, You get the drift
P.S. This workbook is just the beginning!
If you're looking for a supportive community of like-minded female entrepreneurs who get it, why not pop over and say hello?
We'd love to welcome you!
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