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The Myth of Balance

Let’s just say it: balance is bullsh*t.
At least, the version we’ve been sold.

You know the one—where you’re perfectly splitting time between career, motherhood, self-care, marriage, friendships, and hobbies… all while glowing and drinking green juice.

The truth? That version of balance is exhausting just thinking about it. And it’s keeping too many of us stuck in a cycle of overwhelm and guilt, constantly feeling like we’re falling short in every category.

But what if balance isn’t the goal at all?

What if the real power comes from presence?

When You’re Always On, You’re Never Here

I used to wear busyness like a badge of honor.
Back-to-back Zoom calls. Multi-tasking during dinner. Scrolling through emails at my kid’s swim meet. My mind was always somewhere else—even when my body was in the room.

And I’ll be honest, for a while, it felt like that’s just what “success” required.

Until it didn’t.

Until I started to feel disconnected.
From my work.
From my family.
From myself.

I wasn’t showing up with my full energy anywhere—because I had given pieces of it to everything.

The Wake-Up Call

It didn’t come in one big, dramatic moment.
It came in small, quiet ones.

Like when my family said, “You’re here, but you’re not really with us.”
Or when I caught myself rereading the same email four times because my brain just… couldn’t focus.
Or when I realized I couldn’t remember the last time I did something just for me without trying to justify it with productivity.

That’s when I started to ask:
What if I could be fully here in each moment, even when the pace didn’t slow down?

What Presence Really Looks Like

Presence isn’t passive. It’s not about meditating on a mountaintop or walking away from your ambition.
It’s about tuning in—so you can stop reacting from exhaustion and start responding from intention.

For me, practicing presence looks like:

  • Putting my phone in another room during family dinner—even if it’s just for 20 minutes.
  • Starting meetings with one deep breath and one clear intention.
  • Saying “Let me get back to you” instead of giving an automatic yes.
  • Not trying to do five things at once, even if I could.

These might seem small—but they’ve changed the way I lead, love, and live.

Presence Isn’t About Slowing Down. It’s About Showing Up.

You don’t need to quit your job or book a silent retreat.
You don’t need to be perfect.
You just need to come back to yourself—moment by moment.

Presence isn’t a destination.
It’s a practice.
A muscle.
A choice.

Want to Build This Practice With Me?

I created my next SheHandlesIt workshop for women just like us—who want to lead with more clarity, calm, and intention… without losing momentum.

Power of Presence: Integrating Mindfulness into a Modern Life
Tuesday, May 21st at 12:00 PM ET (via Zoom)
Reserve your seat

Because we don’t need to do more to feel better.
We just need to be here.

Let’s stop chasing balance—and start creating presence.

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Stillness is the Strategy: Why Slowing Down Was the Boldest Move I Made

By CJ Stasik • July 22, 2025
Feeling overwhelmed by constant doing? Discover how stillness—not hustle—can lead to clarity, strength, and more intentional leadership. A personal reflection from CJ Stasik of SheHandlesIt.

The Breath That Brings You Back: How a Longer Exhale Calms the Chaos

By shehandlesit • July 14, 2025
The other night, I found myself wide awake at 2 a.m.—and not in the romantic, creative genius kind of way. I tossed, I turned, I stared at the ceiling. And then it hit me: I had forgotten to set my alarm. So first—thank you, Spirit Guides, Universe, God, or whatever higher force you believe in—for … The post The Breath That Brings You Back: How a Longer Exhale Calms the Chaos appeared first on She Handles It.

Bold Moves Don’t Always Look Big—But They Always Feel Brave

By shehandlesit • July 7, 2025
Not all bold moves make headlines. Sometimes they look like quietly clicking “publish” on your first blog post.Sometimes they sound like a whisper in your heart, nudging you to speak your truth out loud for the first time. For me, one of the boldest decisions I’ve ever made was choosing to talk openly about my … The post Bold Moves Don’t Always Look Big—But They Always Feel Brave appeared first on She Handles It.

Why Multitasking Gets Harder After 40 — and What to Do About It

By shehandlesit • June 2, 2025
And no, you’re not losing it — your brain’s just asking for something better. There was a time when I wore multitasking like a cape.Emails flying, dinner cooking, homework help, Slack pings, calendar reminders — I was the queen of juggling all the things. I used to pride myself on being able to do five … The post Why Multitasking Gets Harder After 40 — and What to Do About It appeared first on She Handles It.

How to Reduce Stress and Anxiety by Living in the Present Moment

By shehandlesit • April 21, 2025
A few nights ago, I found myself gathered around a bonfire with my family after my niece’s wedding.  We were laughing, swapping stories, and soaking in the warmth of a Florida evening. It was one of those rare, soul-filling moments that you don’t plan—they just happen.  And as I sat there, I realized something: not … The post How to Reduce Stress and Anxiety by Living in the Present Moment appeared first on She Handles It.

Speak Like You Mean It: 5 Real Tips That Made Me a Better Public Speaker

By shehandlesit • March 31, 2025
I’ve given a lot of presentations over the years—on stages, in boardrooms, at industry conferences, and in small rooms with just a handful of attendees.  And while I’ve learned that public speaking does get easier with experience, it also gets better when you approach it with intention. There are tons of great public speaking tips … The post Speak Like You Mean It: 5 Real Tips That Made Me a Better Public Speaker appeared first on She Handles It.

How to Build a Strong Support Network (Without Feeling Like You’re Failing)

By shehandlesit • February 24, 2025
If you’ve ever hesitated to ask for help, you’re not alone. Many women feel that reaching out for support somehow signals failure—as if we should be able to juggle everything on our own. But here’s the truth:  No one succeeds alone.  A strong support network isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s essential. Networking is about more … The post How to Build a Strong Support Network (Without Feeling Like You’re Failing) appeared first on She Handles It.

The Art of Saying No: How to Set Boundaries Without Guilt

By shehandlesit • February 18, 2025
As working moms, we are conditioned to believe that saying “yes” is part of the job description. We say yes to bake sales, work projects, last-minute favors, and endless requests that drain our energy and time.  Why?  Because we don’t want to let anyone down. The pressure to be everything for everyone is overwhelming, but … The post The Art of Saying No: How to Set Boundaries Without Guilt appeared first on She Handles It.

Storytelling: The One Skill You’re Already Using, But Probably Need to Get Better At

By shehandlesit • February 10, 2025
This morning, I attended a breakfast meeting—the good kind. You know, the ones where you actually want to be there. Great people, great food, and, from what I heard, great coffee (tea for me, obviously).  The conversation was engaging, and the guest speakers were talking about something that instantly caught my attention—storytelling. I nodded along, … The post Storytelling: The One Skill You’re Already Using, But Probably Need to Get Better At appeared first on She Handles It.

Networking for Success: From Wallflower to Power Player

By shehandlesit • January 27, 2025
For years, networking was my personal nightmare.  Small talk? Torture.  Walking into a room full of strangers? Pure dread.  I’d clutch my drink like a lifeline, avoiding eye contact, hoping someone (anyone!) would save me with a conversation. Spoiler alert: they didn’t. I’d leave events feeling like I’d wasted my time and energy. Sound familiar? … The post Networking for Success: From Wallflower to Power Player appeared first on She Handles It.
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