In one episode of her podcast, Michelle Obama described what it felt like to be the only Black woman in many of the rooms she walked into. She talked about the weight of that experience, not just the responsibility, but the loneliness.

That moment stopped me. Because it echoed what so many of my clients describe, especially those navigating high-achieving spaces while carrying complex identities: “I’m here. But am I seen?”

Let’s be real: Success doesn’t always feel like success.

On paper, you’re crushing it—degrees, promotions, showing up like the dependable one everyone counts on. But inside? You’re barely holding it together. And even when you check all the boxes, it still doesn’t feel like enough.

You’re not lazy. You’re not broken. You’re just exhausted from trying to lead while disconnected from yourself. This isn’t just burnout. It’s deeper than that, and I see it all the time.

Originally explored in The Attachment Advantage newsletter, this blog post expands on how attachment wounds show up in leadership—and why therapy can help you lead with more confidence, trust, and emotional intelligence.

It starts with a glance at your calendar—booked from edge to edge—and the sinking realization: there’s no margin for rest. For high-achieving professionals in leadership or caregiving roles, it’s easy to fall into a cycle of proving, producing, and pushing through. But what if success didn’t have to come at the cost of your well-being?