As women—especially as single mothers—there’s often this unspoken rule that we must always be strong. We’re told to hold it together, push through, and never let anyone see us struggle. “Stop crying. Suck it up. You got this.” Society has ingrained in us that strength means never breaking, never showing weakness, and certainly never letting emotions get in the way.
For years, I lived by this mindset. I forced myself to be strong, to suppress my emotions, to show up as if I had it all together. But over time, I started to notice the toll it was taking. Anxiety crept in. Burnout became my baseline. Stress weighed me down. And before I knew it, I was battling the very thing I thought I was avoiding—depression.
The truth is, the constant pressure to be “strong” in the way society defines it is exhausting. It leaves no room for softness, no room for grace. And without grace, we lose the ability to care for ourselves, to honor our feelings, and to simply be human.
Redefining Strength
What I’ve come to realize is that real strength isn’t about pretending to have it all together. It’s not about forcing myself to push through when my body and mind are screaming for rest. True strength lies in the ability to hold space for both power and softness. It’s in the moments where I choose to listen to my needs instead of ignoring them.
It’s knowing that:
• It’s okay to not be okay.
• It’s okay to cry.
• It’s okay to rest.
• It’s okay to ask for help.
For so long, I thought being strong meant keeping it all in. Now, I see that being strong means allowing myself to feel, to heal, and to show up as my whole self—messy, imperfect, and human.
The Gift of Grace
When I started offering myself grace, everything shifted. Instead of judging myself for feeling weak, I allowed myself to rest. Instead of forcing myself to push through exhaustion, I listened to my body. Instead of criticizing myself for not being perfect, I embraced my imperfections.
Grace is what allows us to breathe. It’s what reminds us that we are more than our struggles, more than our responsibilities, and more than the unrealistic expectations placed upon us.
So now, I walk through life with both strength and grace. I no longer see them as opposites but as partners. Some days require strength, and some days require grace. Both are powerful. Both are necessary. And when we allow ourselves to embrace both, that’s when we truly step into our power.
To all the women who have ever felt the weight of always having to be strong—let this be your reminder: You are enough, just as you are. Strength is beautiful. But so is grace. And you deserve both.
With love,
Felicia