Are You Secretly a Superhero? (You Probably Are)

Are you a superhero? Are you wearing an invisible cape right now? If you’re not in a profession that involves saving lives, your answer is probably a resounding “no.” And I get it. Most days, I feel like I’m failing at almost everything.

But a recent conversation with a friend gave me a powerful “aha!” moment. It made me pause and realize that I might actually be doing a lot better than I think I am on a daily basis.

My friend was relaying a compliment – someone thinks I’m a superhero, mostly because of how efficient I am at getting things done. But then she added, “If you think that’s impressive, she also…” and went on to list a bunch of things I do every day that I consider completely ordinary. Ordinary, that is, for me.

She listed the countless hours I’ve spent advocating and caring for Oliver. The time and money invested so Gabe can basically be a pro-athlete at 10 years old. The steps I’ve taken to heal after my TBI, the endless hours I put into work, the teenagers who constantly challenge me, plus the volunteer hours I log monthly.

And it hit me: Why is it that as a mother and a woman, I often feel like I’m failing daily? Why is it that when someone pays me a compliment, my first instinct is to downplay it?

The Invisible Capes We Wear

It’s easy to dismiss our everyday efforts as “just what we do.” We’re busy navigating careers, raising families, managing households, and often caring for ourselves and others. We might not be stopping runaway trains, but we are doing incredibly demanding, important work.

Think about it:

• Are you juggling a demanding job with family responsibilities? That’s incredible dedication.
• Are you tirelessly advocating for your child’s needs? That’s fierce love and perseverance.
• Are you prioritizing your own healing and well-being amidst chaos? That’s immense strength.
• Are you showing up for your community, even when you’re exhausted? That’s true generosity.

These aren’t small feats. They’re monumental achievements, often happening behind the scenes, without fanfare or recognition. We’ve internalized the idea that unless it’s extraordinary, it’s not worth acknowledging. But what if “ordinary” for us is actually extraordinary to someone else?

It’s Time to Acknowledge Your Power

So, let’s reframe this. What if that invisible cape you’re wearing isn’t just for saving lives in a literal sense, but for all the ways you show up, support, create, and nurture in your daily life?

It’s time we stopped minimizing our efforts and started celebrating the incredible work we do. The next time someone compliments you, try to simply say “thank you” instead of deflecting. And take a moment to truly reflect on everything you accomplish in a day, a week, a month.

You might just realize you’re more of a superhero than you ever imagined.

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What “ordinary” superpower do you possess that you often overlook? Share it in the comments below!