The Shock Absorber

“We’re the shock absorbers: women and especially mothers. We absorb everything so everyone else can keep going.”

When I heard Michelle Obama say those words, I had to pause and breathe. Because it named something I have been feeling for years: the invisible emotional labor of holding everything together, both at work and at home.

In this heartfelt episode, I’m sharing what it means to be the “shock absorber” in your family and business and how it slowly depletes your energy, creativity, and joy. I’m also exploring how to step back, set boundaries, and finally give yourself permission to rest.

What’s in this episode:

• [00:40] What it means to be the “shock absorber”
• [01:20] The invisible weight women carry every day
• [02:10] Why overstimulation leads to shutdown
• [03:00] The emotional cost of absorbing everyone’s moods
• [04:00] Letting go of the need to fix everything
• [05:10] You don’t need a breakdown to justify a break
• [06:00] How to rest without guilt and reclaim your softness

Being dependable doesn’t mean being depleted. This episode is your reminder that you can be the soft place without being the shock absorber 24/7.

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://themilkyway.ca/podcast/