Scroll through Instagram or TikTok, and you'll see her: the Strong Woman. She's effortlessly balancing a career, relationships, fitness, and self-care—always smiling, always pushing forward. She doesn't complain, she doesn't falter, and most importantly, she never lets the weight of the world break her. According to social media, strength is not just a virtue; it's an expectation.
But beneath the filtered images and motivational captions lies a harsh reality. Women are constantly expected to be pillars of strength, holding their emotions in, handling every challenge with grace, and never admitting when they're overwhelmed. The moment a woman expresses exhaustion, frustration, or vulnerability, she risks being labeled as weak or dramatic. And social media? It's one of the biggest forces reinforcing this impossible standard.
For generations, society has told women they need to be resilient, self-sufficient, and composed. Whether it's managing households, navigating careers, or supporting others, women are conditioned to believe that their worth is tied to how much they can endure.
“Women have been conditioned to put everyone else first, often at the expense of their own health,” asserts Jaya Jaya Myra, former immunologist turned mind-body wellness expert who coined the term, “conscious character development”. “Emotional exhaustion, stress, and burnout don't just happen—they accumulate when women aren't given permission to rest, to process, to care for themselves as deeply as they care for others. We praise resilience but forget that even the strongest women need support.”
Social media takes this a step further. It glorifies women who “hustle” non-stop, who grind through challenges without a break, who smile through their struggles. Women who express vulnerability are often met with dismissive comments. The message is clear—strength isn't just encouraged; it's required.
But here's the problem: Constantly holding everything together isn't sustainable. When women aren't given the space to acknowledge their struggles, they internalize stress, leading to burnout, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion. Being strong shouldn't mean suffering in silence.
Social Media's Portrayal of “Self-Care”
Ironically, while social media pressures women to be endlessly strong, it also promotes a shallow version of self-care. The internet is flooded with influencers advocating for bubble baths, face masks, and scented candles as the ultimate solutions for stress. And while these things can be relaxing, they barely scratch the surface of what true self-care really is.
“Wellness goes beyond spa days or green smoothies—it's about spiritual and emotional alignment,” says Jaya Jaya Myra. “Creating space for stillness and for reflection is reflected in the rituals that nourish the soul. Whether it's meditation, journaling, mindful movement, or simply breathing with intention, prioritizing wellness is an act of self-respect. When women tend to their own spirit, they cultivate the strength to move through life with clarity, peace, and purpose.”
Self-care is about prioritizing mental health; saying no to overwhelming expectations, and giving yourself permission to rest. It's allowing yourself to express emotions freely without fear of judgment. It's choosing wellness over burnout, even when society tells you to push through.
But social media often dismisses these deeper aspects of self-care. Instead, it presents a commercialized version—one that prioritizes aesthetics over actual well-being. This creates an unrealistic expectation that self-care is something light, simple, and easily achievable, rather than the complex and necessary practice that it truly is.
How to Break the Myth
Women do not exist to be symbols of unshakable resilience. They are human beings who deserve rest, care, and emotional expression. Breaking free from the “strong woman” narrative starts with changing how we approach strength and self-care.
“We need to change the narrative that rest is a luxury,” Jaya Jaya Myra emphasizes. “Women don't need to prove their worth through exhaustion. They don't need to earn rest. They simply need to give themselves permission to heal.”
It's time to let go of the expectation that women must always be strong. Strength should never come at the cost of well-being. Women deserve to feel, to rest, to be vulnerable, and to prioritize themselves without guilt.
Social media may push the image of the unstoppable woman, but the truth is—real strength lies in balance, self-awareness, and knowing that it's okay to not have it all together.
Image by Jessica Felicio
