The Superwomen Syndrome

It wasn’t until yesterday I realized that I had the superwoman syndrome.

At times it’s said that “someone walks around like they have an ‘S’ on their chest” and yesterday I literally did have a silver necklace with the superman emblem filled with clear rhinestones. One may wonder why I was walking around wearing this necklace, here’s why…

The superman symbol embodies several meanings- one of strength, power, motivation, being a helper/saver of others, indestructible and made of steel, built to last, etc. I consider myself to be all of those things. However, it wasn’t until yesterday that I realized the weight that being a “superwoman” had. Yes I looked pretty with my necklace on. Yes I had the earrings to match. Yes I felt amazing with it on, but it did nothing to help me though the pain and frustration I was feeling on the inside.

You see, wearing that necklace displayed to others that I was capable of handling all things- challenges, disappointments, hurt, pain, heartache, etc. When this could be the furthest from the truth. Wearing that necklace couldn’t protect me from the fragile emotional state I was in. Wearing the necklace couldn’t help right the wrongs I had experienced from others. That necklace could not stop the tears from flowing…

I stood there in front of several of my peers at a rehearsal and wept, with no warning! There I was wearing the necklace that symbolized strength but I had a moment of weakness. This moment did not define me as a person. However, it was a reminder that I can’t be superwoman all the time or continue to wear that mask. The tears reminded me that God is my superman and my strength comes from him…not a necklace.