Speaking from the Heart: Is Your Fulfillment on the Back Burner as a Woman?

Many women today find themselves in a whirlwind of responsibilities, juggling homes, careers, relationships, caregiving, and emotional duties. Amid this chaos, a crucial aspect often takes a backseat: their fulfilment. The daily needs of others usually overshadow the quiet yearning for personal growth, joy, or emotional freedom. 

At Hearts to Healing Therapy, we often see women who, while holding everything together for everyone else, feel like they've lost touch with themselves.

Why Women Prioritise Others Over Themselves

Women tend to forget that others are more important than they are, a tendency that may be ingrained in female psychology from early childhood. The message remains the same, regardless of whether it is conveyed through cultural norms, relationships, or societal roles: you need to be nurturing, helpful, and available. 

However, this attitude takes root over time, and the value of the woman is tied to her ability to give, fix, or take charge of things. She gradually starts to lose her dreams, passions, and time.

It's possible to be unaware that this is happening. It can start with missed opportunities for rest, rejecting chances that once inspired you, or telling yourself that you'll work on yourself when things calm down. Weeks turn into years, and the space for your fulfilment becomes increasingly scarce. Recognizing these signs is the first step towards reclaiming your life.

The Emotional Cost of Self-Neglect

Putting your fulfillment on hold isn't just inconvenient—it has real emotional consequences. Over time, this pattern can lead to feelings of burnout, anxiety, disconnection, low self-worth, and even symptoms of depression. When your energy is constantly directed outward, without any effort to refuel your inner self, exhaustion becomes inevitable.

A study published in the Journal of Health and Social Behaviour found that women who are overburdened with caregiving and social obligations are more likely to experience psychological distress, especially when their own goals and needs are consistently unmet. The research highlights the importance of women maintaining a connection to their sense of identity and agency to protect their emotional well-being (source).

How to Recognise When You've Lost Yourself

The symptoms do not necessarily always come on dramatically. Occasionally, it is the silence in which one thinks that they can no longer recall when they did anything, just because it was something that they wanted to do. You might be depressed, constantly fatigued, or you can no longer determine what pleases you. Even the desire to have something more may make you feel guilty, whether your needs have any significance at all.

These emotions are indicators given to you by your mind and body that show something is lacking, not on the outside, but inside. Your inner being is demanding to be listened to, observed, and put first. This inner voice is crucial in recognising self-neglect. It's not enough to ignore that voice, as this will only further the disconnect you're experiencing between the life you want to live and the one you're living.

Reconnecting with Your Inner Fulfilment

To rediscover your satisfaction, start by allowing yourself to be present, regardless of your roles. You are not only a mother, partner, professional, and a caregiver. You are an individual who has your dreams, tastes, and strong desires to have a sense of meaning and happiness.

It helps to think about what once made you happy. Remember the things or achievements that excited you at some point, like writing, dancing, communing with nature, or even spending silent time dreaming. Your segments are not gone; they probably are hidden under years of people's care.

Begin with little deliberate decisions. Take a few minutes each day to do something that is just yours. It may include reading a book, meditating, journaling, or going out for a walk or exercise. These are not luxuries; on the contrary, they form vital activities which bring you back in touch with yourself.

Setting Boundaries Without Guilt

The last thing to consider on the road to fulfillment is learning to create healthy boundaries. However, this may include refusing to do things that drain your energy, such as taking on extra work when you're already overloaded, or accepting assistance when necessary, like asking a family member to help with household chores. It's also about taking space without excuse, such as setting aside time for yourself to relax or pursue your interests. Boundaries are not about excluding people; they are about creating new space to breathe, expand, and feel complete again.

One has a feeling of guilting about it. You have probably developed years of experience in taking care of others. However, establishing boundaries is not an act of selfishness, but rather a demonstration of self-respect. It will enable you to appear in life more original, tolerant, and emotionally sound.

The Role of Therapy in Finding Yourself Again

According to therapy, it can be a great helper that will lead you back to fulfilment. Through proper intervention, you can safely rediscover the forgotten, suppressed, or judged parts of yourself. At Hearts to Healing Therapy, we create a safe and non-judgmental environment where women can interact with us, connect with their values, explore possibilities, and build lives that lead to authenticity and emotional balance.

Whether it's burnout, a new identity, or a silent desire to find something bigger, therapy can help you on the path of living, rather than merely surviving. However, this means that treatment can help you not only cope with your responsibilities but also thrive in life, finding joy, purpose, and emotional balance.

You Are Worthy of Fulfilment

Your dreams, happiness, and emotional well-being are not secondary; they are at the core of your existence. You are never too old to reclaim the aspects of yourself that you've set aside. You don't need permission to want more. Don't wait for the perfect moment. It's okay to prioritise your own needs: your happiness, your healing, your sense of purpose.

It is our intention at Hearts to Healing Therapy to be your guide in this initial step, which will be the first step towards designing your life the way you want it to be. You are not a broken person. Not in the least, you are obnoxious. You are just in a position to go home on yourself.