Does anyone else feel like they're failing at both?

Jan 3·1 min read

I'm not great enough at work because of family stuff. I'm not present enough at home because I'm thinking about work.

There's always something I should be doing. Always something I'm not doing well. I feel like a failure at the career thing and also a failure as a dad.

This probably sounds dramatic but ngl some mornings I just sit in my car after dropping the kids off and want to cry about it. Anyone else in this headspace or am I just losing it?

5 comments394 views

Comments(5)

NNick J.RegularJan 3

I had a moment last week where I missed my son's soccer game because of a meeting, then came home and was too tired to really engage. That's when it hit me that I wasn't doing either thing very well.

RRyan M.New DadJan 5

Been there. What helped me was having a real conversation with my boss about flexible hours. Turns out he gets it because he has kids too. Might be worth a chat if your workplace culture allows it.

MMark T.New DadJan 4

The guilt is the worst part. I'm good at my job and I'm a decent dad but my brain is convinced I'm failing at everything.

PPatrick M.New DadJan 5

This feeling is real and I don't think it goes away, at least not yet for me. Some days I feel like I'm just choosing which area of my life I want to disappoint people in.

TTommyNew DadJan 5

The thing nobody tells you is that you can't actually do both at 100 percent. You're always going to feel like you're splitting yourself. The goal is just to accept that and try to show up as best you can in both places.