Yahoo Lifestyle Australian Women "Too Busy" For Their Friends
Career, motherhood, social life – can we really have it all? A survey commissioned by Baileys may have revealed otherwise, with 68% of women saying they do not have enough time to do what they want because they're too busy juggling five to six different roles on a daily basis.
For those with children, the statistics are even worse – 78% of women said they have little time to themselves, with 81% overall saying they wish they could make a change in their lifestyle.
Worryingly, the survey also indicated that just 5% of our time is spent nurturing our friendships on a weekly basis despite the fact that "59% of respondents turn to their female friends first and foremost for support."
The results imply that we may be missing out on valuable "me" time, says social commentator Dr Rebecca Huntley, who adds that women need to understand that making time for their own needs isn't self-indulgent.
"We need to maintain our own emotional wellbeing. It will make us happier and better able to perform all the different tasks required of us as workers, mothers, partners, daughters and so on," explains Huntley.
Not surprisingly, the study concluded that women are burning out trying to live up to their own expectations and excel in multiple roles.
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"The good news is that the idea of being Superwoman is often self-imposed, and there are ways to take off that superhero cape and regain some balance," says Huntley, who recommends remembering that you can't do everything – and that the word "no" doesn't have to equal guilt.
"Learn to delegate – many women feel no one can do things as well as they can," says Huntley. "Many of us let our lives become so busy with work and other commitments that our friendships are often pushed to the side. However, friends are one of the most important support networks that women have."
