That constant feeling of “Never Enough”

You know the feeling.

When you’re at work, you feel guilty for not being at home.
When you’re at home, your mind is still at work.
And wherever you are, there’s a quiet voice saying, “You should be doing more.”

In this episode of the Mumposter Syndrome, Ralu Atomei and I talk about why that feeling of failing often never fully goes away for working mums, even when things look “successful” from the outside.

And spoiler: it’s not a motivation problem. Or a confidence problem. Or a “you need to be more organised” problem.

The pressure of job security and the “employee mindset”

One of the most interesting parts of this conversation is how deeply many women have been conditioned to see job security as the ultimate marker of success.

We talk about how this belief shapes:

• the decisions women make about work
  
• the risks they feel able (or unable) to take
  
• the fear of getting it wrong
  
• and the constant pressure to prove themselves
  

Ralu brings such powerful insight into how an employee mindset can quietly keep women stuck, even when they’re capable of so much more.

It really made me reflect on how early these messages start.

Imposter syndrome isn’t just “in your head”

We also dive into imposter syndrome, especially how it shows up for working mums.

Not feeling fully present anywhere.
Questioning whether you’re doing enough.
Comparing yourself to people who seem to be coping better.

What I loved about this conversation is how much it moves the focus away from “fixing yourself”,  and towards understanding the systems, structures, and expectations that fuel these feelings in the first place.

That shift alone can feel incredibly freeing.

When success starts to feel heavy

Another theme we explore is how narrowly success is often defined, and how that definition doesn’t leave much room for motherhood, mental health, or capacity.

When success only looks like stability, productivity, and constant performance, it’s no wonder so many working mums feel exhausted and inadequate.

This episode gently questions who those definitions of success actually serve ,  and what it might look like to redefine success in a way that supports real life.

If this resonates, you’re not alone

If you’ve ever felt:

• like you’re failing at work and at home
  
• torn between ambition and family
  
• scared to step outside what feels “safe”
  
• exhausted by trying to prove yourself
  

This episode is for you. It’s not about having all the answers, it’s about understanding why this feels so hard, and why so much of it isn’t your fault.

🎧 Listen to the full episode

The Mum Poster Syndrome Podcast
Why Working Mums Feel Like They’re Failing (with Ralu Atomei)

This is one of those conversations that doesn’t shout solutions -  it offers perspective and validation.