Michelle Obama on Finding your way
I am constantly searching for ways to achieve work-life balance and sometimes I wonder whether it’s just me or is every woman around me feeling the same way. Here’s an excerpt from a speech made by Michelle Obama at Howard University that is very comforting:
"In your struggle to figure these things out as women, as professionals, that you have to do what's right for you at any given time, and that's going to change--from week to week, from month to month, from year to year."
She said it was important for women "to be true to yourselves, not to worry too much about what other people are going to think or make of your choices, because everyone will question what you do and tell you you should've done it the other way."
She said that she had dealt with the issue her whole life, "trying to figure out how to juggle work-family balance in the process of getting an education. There isn't a day that goes by, particularly after having kids, that I don't wonder or worry about whether I'm doing the right thing for myself, for my family, for my girls."
Mrs. Obama said priorities will change, as life changes, as people grow older, as they change jobs and their families grow. "The person I was when I was in college is very different than the person that I am today. That person is very different than the person who was single.....I was different when I was married. I was different when I was married with kids. I was different when I was married with kids in certain types of jobs. And every step of the way, I wondered whether I was doing the right thing."
"In your struggle to figure these things out as women, as professionals, that you have to do what's right for you at any given time, and that's going to change--from week to week, from month to month, from year to year."
She said it was important for women "to be true to yourselves, not to worry too much about what other people are going to think or make of your choices, because everyone will question what you do and tell you you should've done it the other way."
She said that she had dealt with the issue her whole life, "trying to figure out how to juggle work-family balance in the process of getting an education. There isn't a day that goes by, particularly after having kids, that I don't wonder or worry about whether I'm doing the right thing for myself, for my family, for my girls."
Mrs. Obama said priorities will change, as life changes, as people grow older, as they change jobs and their families grow. "The person I was when I was in college is very different than the person that I am today. That person is very different than the person who was single.....I was different when I was married. I was different when I was married with kids. I was different when I was married with kids in certain types of jobs. And every step of the way, I wondered whether I was doing the right thing."
Mamalaw is a group blog about three moms and wives who just happen to be lawyers too. We have seven kids between us which means that we have no shortage of funny stories, touching moments, reasons to rant and the occasional kernel of parenting wisdom. In our "spare time," we founded 
5 comments:
mrs. o is 100% right. you have to do what's right for you at any given time, and, as she said that will continue to change. it's a constant struggle though. fortunately, i seem to have found my groove...for now.
Isn't it great to hear from this completely amazing and put-together woman that she has the same struggles and challenges as the rest of us? I was so inspired by that speech and her candor.
i agree with Smiling Mama. this was a nice pep me up as i get ready for a crazy week.
Great timing on this one! I was just thinking this morning that I have got to sit down, reevaluate the way I'm doing things and revamp what isn't working. I think is a struggle that every mother is faced with at some point in time. Thanks for sharing!
How heartening to have a First Lady who can both identify with working moms and offer inspiration and useful advice as well!
I especially love this quote, "...be true to yourselves...because everyone will question what you do and tell you you should've done it the other way." Taking this as a mantra could a great way to lower stress for people-pleasers like me.
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