here’s an image society has crafted of the Superwoman — the hyper-independent woman who seems to do it all effortlessly. She has a high-powered career; maintains a perfectly tidy home; nurtures her relationships; stays fit; stays hydrated; and somehow finds time even for self-care. She takes on every challenge and responsibility without breaking a sweat.

We’re told to strive to be this superhuman version of womanhood, to embody it as the ultimate achievement. But here’s the thing: this image is more a trap than a triumph.

The Superwoman myth is pervasive. Independence is often mistaken for self-sufficiency to the point of isolation. There’s a growing trend of hyper-independence among women — a belief that to be truly independent, one must do everything on their own; that this calls for sheer will-power and determination. It sounds empowering in theory, but in practice, it’s a recipe for burnout, loneliness and a slow unravelling of one’s well-being.

I’ve seen it happen to women around me — brilliant, capable women who fall into the trap of thinking they have to carry the weight of the world on their shoulders. They wear their exhaustion like a badge of honour, believing that seeking help is a sign of weakness, a failure. They push themselves to the brink, quietly losing themselves in the process.

These women are determined to prove that they can do it all — manage a demanding job, maintain a social life, keep the home in order and still find time for personal growth. At first, it can feel empowering. She is in control, unstoppable even, no questions asked. But slowly, the cracks begin to show. One can see her becoming irritable, tired and disconnected from the very things she was trying to maintain. The harder she tries to do it all, the more she feels like she’s failing; al in the name of independence.

It sounds empowering in theory, but in practice, it’s a recipe for burnout, loneliness and a slow unravelling of one’s well-being.

The truth is, real independence isn’t about doing everything on your own. It’s about having the wisdom to seek support when you need it and the courage to admit that you can’t do it all. Independence should empower us, not isolate us. The Superwoman myth convinces us that we have to be perfect, that we have to shoulder every burden alone. That’s simply not true or sustainable.

The strongest women I know are the ones who know when to ask for help. They understand that strength doesn’t come from doing it all by themselves; it comes from knowing their limits and building a support system that allows them to thrive. They know that it’s okay to delegate, to say no, and to step back; pause even, when it’s all too much.

It’s time we stopped glorifying the idea of the Superwoman and started celebrating the women who know their limits, who understand the value of collaboration and community. Real independence is about balance. It’s about knowing when to push forward and when to lean on others. It’s about recognising that true strength lies not in isolation, but in connection.

Being a superb woman doesn’t mean doing everything alone — it means knowing that you don’t have to. It means embracing your humanity, acknowledging your weaknesses and understanding that you’re not defined by how much you can do, but by how well you can take care of yourself while doing it.

Let’s bust the Superwoman myth and redefine what it means to be truly independent. Let’s be women who are strong enough to ask for help, wise enough to know when we need it and brave enough to embrace it.

Sara Danial is the head of content at a communications agency