Drop the Cape

Healthcare workers and working moms, are often described as superheroes.

We glorify their heroism.

And then we expect them to behave like heroes— rather than humans.

While it may feel flattering, the hero cape can be a heavy burden.

The expectations that go with the hero cape from both the outside and within are costly.

Hero capes lead to isolation and pressure to control things out of our control.

Heroes with capes hold back locomotives; humans, moms, and doctors get tired when they hold back locomotives.

Having human expectations of humans is healthier.

Having human expectations of ourselves allows us to be human.

It allows us to succeed and feel proud rather than always feeling inadequate or like we are falling short.

Appreciation and gratitude for hard work are welcome but anything other than embracing our humanity is a recipe for burnout.