Women’s Health Week

In a world where social media feeds are filled with milestone announcements, career wins, and picture-perfect routines, it’s easy to feel like everyone else has it all figured out. For many women, the pressure to have a clearly mapped life plan — the perfect job, the right relationship, a tidy five-year forecast — can feel suffocating. As Women’s Health Week rolls around from 1st to 5th September, it’s the perfect time to reflect on this silent, collective anxiety: the internal whisper (or shout) asking, “Am I falling behind?” 

The Myth of Having It All Together 

From a young age, women are often encouraged to plan. We map out career aspirations, family goals, financial targets — all while striving to appear composed and confident. This creates an illusion that having it all figured out is both expected and achievable. But what happens when real life doesn’t follow that tidy timeline? What if things feel messy, uncertain, or unfinished? 

The truth is, uncertainty is a natural part of life. Yet, culturally, it tends to be painted as a flaw rather than a fact. We’re rarely taught to sit with ambiguity, to explore what it might teach us. Instead, many women end up internalising the belief that not having everything sorted is a sign of failure. 

Imposter Syndrome and the Female Experience 

Imposter syndrome — the persistent feeling of being a fraud, despite evidence of success — disproportionately affects women, especially in professional settings. Whether it’s stepping into a leadership role, returning to work after maternity leave, or launching a new business, women often report a sense of “not being good enough.” 

This phenomenon is linked to unrealistic expectations and internalised pressure. When society rewards perfectionism and punishes vulnerability, it’s no wonder so many of us feel like we’re constantly falling short. The irony is that the people who worry about being imposters are often the ones working the hardest to prove themselves. 

The Pressure of the Five-Year Plan 

There’s a persistent myth that successful people live by a five-year plan. And while goal setting can be a useful tool, it can also become a rigid framework that leaves little room for change, growth, or the unexpected. Life doesn’t always follow a linear path — and that’s not a sign of weakness or indecision. It’s a sign of being human. 

When women tie their sense of worth to ticking boxes on a self-imposed timeline, it creates a cycle of anxiety and self-doubt. If the job hasn’t materialised, if the relationship ended, if the house hasn’t been bought by 30, then it must mean we’re doing something wrong. But life is far more nuanced than that. Circumstances change. People evolve. Priorities shift. 

Therapy: A Space for Curiosity, Not Control 

One of the most empowering aspects of therapy is that it shifts the narrative from control to curiosity. Instead of asking, “Why haven’t I figured it all out yet?” we start to ask, “What can I learn about myself right now?” Therapy provides a space to unpack those inner pressures, to challenge perfectionistic thinking, and to explore what truly matters to you — not what you think should matter. 

In therapy, women often discover that the feeling of being lost or behind isn’t a personal failure; it’s a reflection of unrealistic societal expectations. With time and support, it becomes easier to replace harsh self-criticism with self-compassion. 

The Power of Self-Compassion 

At the heart of this journey is the idea that you don’t have to have it all figured out to be doing okay. Self-compassion means treating yourself with the same kindness you’d offer a friend. It’s recognising that growth isn’t always visible, and that progress doesn’t always look like forward motion. 

Practising self-compassion can look like: 

• Allowing yourself to make decisions without needing absolute certainty. 

• Letting go of timelines that no longer serve you. 

• Celebrating small wins instead of chasing only big milestones. 

• Being gentle with yourself during setbacks or transitions. 

A More Supportive Perspective 

Women’s Health Week invites us to take a broader, more supportive view of health — and that includes mental and emotional wellbeing. Instead of chasing the illusion of having it all together, what if we embraced the beauty of figuring things out as we go? What if we honoured the seasons of uncertainty as vital periods of growth? 

You are not behind. You are not failing. You’re simply living in a world that moves quickly and often forgets to acknowledge how hard it is to keep up. It’s okay to pause, to reassess, and to rewrite the rules for your own life. 

So no, you don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to keep showing up — with curiosity, with courage, and with compassion.