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Shonda Rhimes Reveals the ‘Bullshit’ of ‘Having It All’ as a Working Mother
Table of Contents
- 1. Shonda Rhimes Reveals the ‘Bullshit’ of ‘Having It All’ as a Working Mother
- 2. The Myth of ‘Having It All’
- 3. Acceptance and Prioritization
- 4. A Wider Conversation
- 5. How can Shonda Rhimes’ reframing of work – as providing for and modeling ambition for her family – be applied to alleviate working mom guilt?
- 6. Shonda Rhimes on the Reality of Balancing Work and Motherhood: Insights for Modern Working Moms
- 7. The “Superwoman” Myth & Shonda’s Revelation
- 8. Deconstructing the Working Mom Guilt
- 9. The Power of Boundaries & Saying “No”
- 10. Building a support System: The Village Approach
- 11. The Impact of flexible Work Arrangements
- 12. Shonda rhimes’ Influence on Workplace Culture
- 13. Benefits of Prioritizing Work-
Award-winning television creator Shonda Rhimes recently shared her perspective on the challenges faced by working mothers, asserting that the notion of “having it all” is frequently enough unrealistic and detrimental.
published: October 9,2025
Television mogul Shonda Rhimes has spoken candidly about the difficulties of balancing a thriving career with the demands of motherhood. During a recent conversation on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, hosted by Alex Cooper, Rhimes articulated a growing sentiment among professional women: the idea that one can seamlessly excel in all areas of life is a misconception.
The Myth of ‘Having It All’
Rhimes conveyed a sense of relief in acknowledging that limitations are inherent in juggling multiple meaningful responsibilities. She directly challenged the pervasive narrative that encourages women to “lean in” or strive for complete fulfillment in every aspect of their lives,labeling such advice as “bullshit.”
She further explained that working mothers frequently enough face intense societal pressure to meet impossibly high standards – excelling professionally while simultaneously maintaining a perfect home life.Rhimes asserted that this expectation is not only unrealistic but also actively counterproductive.
“My job is amazing, but there are times when I’m going to have to say, OK, I let that slide as my kids needed me. And that is OK,” Rhimes stated. She emphasized the importance of self-permission and accepting that trade-offs are inevitable.
Acceptance and Prioritization
The prominent producer articulated that true balance isn’t about doing everything perfectly, but rather about acknowledging that something will invariably be compromised. She described a constant state of “shakiness,” where complete mastery of all commitments simply isn’t attainable.
Rhimes stressed the necessity of prioritizing. She explained that it’s not a question of *if* one can do it all, but *when*-and accepting that doing everything simultaneously is an impossibility.
“Peopel used to be like, ‘How can you say that?’ I’m like, it made me feel so much better to think like, ‘OK, I’m failing at work right now. That’s OK,'” Rhimes shared.
This isn’t the first time Rhimes has addressed these challenges. In a 2014 Dartmouth commencement speech, she spoke openly about the compromises required to navigate both personal and professional life.
A Wider Conversation
Rhimes is just one voice in a growing chorus of prominent women discussing the realities of work-life balance. In 2024, Actress Keira Knightley Decided to Step Back from Acting After Starting a Family. According to Knightley, she couldn’t continue to take on roles that would require her to be away from her children.
Similarly, Michelle Williams recently explained that success in one area of life often comes at the expense of another. “As the truth is,if work is going well,somebody else is taking care of the kids. And if you’re in a high point with your kids, the work is shoved to the side,” Williams said during a podcast appearance.
| Personality | Key Perspective |
|---|---|
| Shonda Rhimes | The idea of “having it all” is unrealistic and creates unnecessary pressure. |
| Keira Knightley | Prioritizing family requires trade-offs in career opportunities. |
| Michelle Williams | Success in one area often comes at the cost of another. |
