When Juggling Isn’t Joyful: The Cost of Carrying It All

In this deeply personal episode of Black Girl Burnout, host Kelley opens up about the exhaustion that comes with trying to hold everything together—career, caregiving, friendships, and self-care. She examines why so many high-achieving Black women feel pressured to “keep all the balls in the air,” and what it means to pause, realign, and choose peace over perfection. Kelley invites listeners to question the story behind their constant juggling and to gently let go of the myth that balance means doing it all.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The belief that we can “have it all” and “do it all” is a system trap that fuels burnout.
• Silence around struggle keeps us isolated—naming the cost of success is an act of healing.
• Balance isn’t the goal; alignment is. True peace comes from dropping what doesn’t serve you.
• Giving yourself permission to pause is not failure—it’s an act of reclaiming your capacity.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & TIMESTAMPS

• 00:00 – Kelley shares her personal experience of juggling multiple roles and feeling stretched thin.
• 03:00 – The myths of “having it all” and “doing it all” as silent traps for high-achieving women.
• 07:50 – Why “balance” keeps us burned out—and how “alignment” offers a softer, truer alternative.
• 15:30 – Practical reflection: What are you juggling right now, and what can you safely put down?

GENTLE CALL TO ACTION

Take a quiet moment this week to notice what you’ve been juggling out of fear or obligation. Ask yourself: What can I set down, even for a little while? Share your reflections with us on social media @blackgirlburnout, or leave a review to help another Black woman find this space of rest and relief.

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