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Women to women: How women in social enterprise protect their mental health when the world feels increasingly challenging

by Kasia Kotlarska / March 2026

International Women’s Day 2026

This year’s International Women’s Day arrives at a moment of acute global uncertainty. Armed conflict, deepening inequality, the accelerating climate crisis and the relentless pressure on civil society are shaping the conditions in which social entrepreneurs work every day. For people in the social enterprise movement, those who have built their working lives around putting people and planet first, that weight is felt acutely, professionally and personally.

Social enterprise is one of the few sectors where women lead at scale. Globally, “one in two social enterprises are women-led, compared to one in five conventional businesses”. The people likely to be running organisations that address the world’s hardest problems are women. To reflect that gender balance, SEWF is committed to ensuring that women’s voices in social enterprise are equally heard with all SEWF events featuring 50% or more speakers who identify as women. Meet all the female speakers from SEWF’s 2025 events here.

So this year, we reached out to some of the recent speakers from across our 2025 events – SEWF25 in Taipei, the Policy Forum and the Rural Social Enterprise Gathering – and asked them a question that felt more important than ever: how do you protect your mental health, and where do you find the motivation to keep going?

The responses came from every corner of the world with advice including reconnecting with nature, the radical act of rest and the role of spirituality.

1. Going back to why you started

When the scale of global problems feels unmanageable, many of the leaders we spoke to find themselves returning to their roots: the people whose lives have changed because of their work and why they started in the first place.

“Always keep in mind why you started this initiative and how hard you’ve been working to influence your recipients. It makes no difference how many beneficiaries there are. The important thing is that you actually changed someone’s life. Because of what you said or did, he or she might feel better. When you experience failure, you learn from it and improve for your next beneficiary. We all fail, too. Similar to how you must first experience the darkness in a tunnel before you can emerge from it.”
– Catherine Wing-Chee So, Science and Technology for Autism Remediation (STAR) (Hong Kong)

“As the Chief Medical and Research Officer of Bioniks, I frequently come across deeply heartbreaking stories, patients who have lost their limbs in devastating accidents, war injuries and other life-altering circumstances. Bearing witness to that pain gets emotionally heavy. (…)What keeps me truly motivated are the post-prosthetic empowerment stories of our beneficiaries. Watching someone stand, walk, drink, eat, return to work, or hug their child again after receiving a prosthetic limb reminds me why we do what we do. In a world that can often feel overwhelming, I choose to focus on restoration, resilience and possibility. That is what keeps me sane, motivated and deeply committed to our mission.”
– Ayesha Zulfiqar, Bioniks (Pakistan)

“Remembering that meaningful change is built through consistency and clarity, not urgency, helps me protect my mental health. It gives me the quiet grit and resilience to keep going.”
– Ambika Sangaran, Mereka (Malaysia)

“In an ever-shifting world, I’ve learned that protecting my mental health begins with looking inward. When everything around us feels uncertain or overwhelming, coming back to my core beliefs grounds me. I remind myself what I stand for, what truly matters to me and the values that shaped why I started this journey in the first place. To stay motivated, I hold on tightly to my “why.” I revisit the very beginning – the reason I chose this path, the people I hope to serve and the change I want to contribute to. When the world feels heavy, purpose becomes an anchor.”
– Sandy Lin, DaFon Environmental (Taiwan)

2. Find your people

If there is one thing that comes up at every SEWF event, in every discussion, in every corner of the social enterprise movement, it is the importance of community. The leaders we spoke to were no different. Whether leaning on colleagues who understand the particular pressures of the sector, friends who offer perspective, or fellow founders who just get it, community wasn’t something they stumbled into, it was something they actively and deliberately chose.

“When I’m overwhelmed, I lean into my people – the ones trying to bend systems toward something better. There’s nothing more grounding than being with folks who understand the weight of caring this much. I also make time to zoom out and remember why I signed up for this. Being in community. Talking to social entrepreneurs building incredible things with duct tape and audacity. Those moments reset me. They remind me that small, purposeful acts create ripples. You may not see the wave yet, but it’s already in motion.”
– Chelsey MacNeil, The Purposeful Group (Canada)

“When the world feels heavy, I don’t try to be strong alone. I return to my circle of women. I protect my mental health by leaning into my family and friends, by staying connected, asking for support without guilt and offering that same support in return. Because empowered women do not compete, we strengthen one another and we rise together.”
– Uliantie Sarjuni, Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre (SCENIC) (Malaysia)

“I engage with others and never stop asking questions so as to stay true to my calling – knowing trusted collaborations will outlast the chaos.”
– Tatiana Glad, Impact Hub Network (The Netherlands)

“In today’s challenging world, I stay motivated by focusing on our mission and the positive impact of our work. Building relationships with like-minded individuals restores my faith, while personal practices like meditation and spending time with loved ones help maintain balance. Recognising our collective power to amplify our voices further fuels my resilience.”
– Roopa Mehta, Sasha Association for Craft Producers (India)

“The social enterprise sector by its nature is full of optimistic, driven people, that’s an added benefit and one that is very helpful to tap into when you need exposure to positivity.”
– Lorraine Corcoran, Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland (SERI) (Ireland)

3. Reconnecting with nature, body and spirit

When you spend your days fighting for people and planet, it is important to remember that you are also part of that world. Perhaps it is no surprise that so many of the leaders we spoke to find their way back to the natural world when they need to reconnect with themselves and their purpose.

“In these times, I protect my energy by anchoring into simple but nourishing rituals that recharge me – a walk by the water to clear my head, cooking a plant-based meal that fuels my body, or sketching out a quick pitch deck that lights up a vision I have. I stay motivated by focusing on what gives me vitality, while at the same time viewing it all through a systemic change lens to zoom out and understand how breakdowns are openings for regenerative models.“
– Tatiana Glad, Impact Hub Network (The Netherlands)

“I love to observe nature and feel the body in harmony with nature, such as bird watching, appreciating plants, walking in the forest. By seeing those lovely creatures created by God or the Oneness, I feel recharged and expect myself to make some positive contributions to this beautiful world. Nature also reminds me that everything in the universe follows the natural rhythm or the ancient wisdom of Taichi. Things will turn around when they reach their extremes. We should always keep faith and try to make change little by little.”
– Shelley 張瑾文 Chinwen Chang, MeetAngel 好馨晴綠生活 (Taiwan)

“Good mental health begins with strong physical health. As women, our physical health can take a toll as we age. Be kind to your body. Be aware of its evolving needs. Practice asking for help. It’s critical to have strong support at home, in whatever ways available to you. Only then can we upkeep the energy it takes to uphold our work, our homes and our communities. Keep up the good work! Or as we say in Taiwan, ‘Add Oil!’”
– Emily Y. Wu, Ghost Island Media (Taiwan)

“Step away from the noise, empty the mind and reconnect with our deepest intuition and passion. Everyone is running a different race on a different track, do not feel you are behind in this high speed world. Stay true to your own pace, your greatest strength is found in a clear, focused and quiet mind.”
– Penny Pei Wen Lai MUVE NPO (Taiwan)

“My daily reset is a walk, with friends, alone or with headphones, but I avoid newsfeeds! Almost everything feels a bit better after getting outside and moving.”
– Lorraine Corcoran, Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland (SERI) (Ireland)

“When I start feeling demotivated or even apocalyptic because of the news out there, I try to pause and observe. Am I laughing enough lately? Am I making space to connect with myself? Am I spending enough time in nature? Am I being fully present with my son and my family? I realise that when I start going to the dark side, it’s often because I’ve become disconnected from the simple things that bring me joy, disconnected from what awakens love within me. Pausing, noticing the good, connecting with people I deeply resonate with, having profound conversations with friends and speaking with people from different corners of the world who are doing amazing things for the common good fuels me with the energy to keep going. And no matter what the outcome may be, or how the world might end up, today, here, now, it is completely worth it.”
– Jessica Oyarbide, EKHOS (Argentina)

“I know from experience that I function and contribute best when I act from self love. This means focusing on what most intrigues and excites me – helping people pursue their boldest dreams, focusing business on the common good, supporting creative people because life is not worth living without their contributions. Making time and space to allow deep intuition to emerge, because it has wisdom well beyond our distracted self-interested minds. Honouring what nourishes me most: hiking, art making, reading great literature and mentoring younger people. Finally, I trust that the Cosmos strives for balance via a wisdom we cannot fully fathom: she solves for creativity, connection, compassion and coherence on her own terms and she will outlast human dysfunctionality.”
– Cindy Carpenter, The Bread & Butter Project (Australia)

4. Faith, family, motherhood and building a better world

Several of the leaders we spoke to described how the personal and the political are inseparable. For some, faith and family are what keep them grounded when the work gets hard. For others, becoming a mother has sharpened their sense of purpose and made the work feel more urgent than ever.

“For me, number one is God and prayer. Number two is family time, nature and looking at the smile of my son. All of this helps to ground me and remind me that this too shall pass.”
– Sasibai Kimis, Earth Heir (Malaysia)

“Motherhood raised the stakes. It’s made me more tender and more ferocious, more committed to building a world my kid can actually live in. And I’ve stopped pretending I have it all figured out. Some days the most radical thing I can do is to keep showing up, keep trying hard and keep believing in one another. Stay connected. Stay rooted in purpose. Stay human. That’s not just resilience, that’s endurance.”
– Chelsey MacNeil, The Purposeful Group (Canada)

“Being a female leader also comes with its own set of added pressures and challenges. And as a mother of two children under the age of three, life is beautifully chaotic and, at times, overwhelming. To protect my mental health, I’ve learned to be intentional. I write to process my emotions. I exercise and practice yoga to ground myself. I paint and read motivational books to nourish my mind. I consciously take breaks from screen time and reconnect with nature and with my loved ones. Most importantly, I counsel myself to shift my perspective to look for the brighter, more hopeful side of every situation.”
– Ayesha Zulfiqar, Bioniks (Pakistan)

5. Giving yourself permission to rest

In a sector where the stakes feel so high and resources are rarely enough, the pressure to always be motivated, always be productive, always be pushing forward can be relentless. Several of the leaders we spoke to were quite direct about pushing back against it.

“I release the pressure to be constantly motivated. I allow myself slow mornings, quiet pauses, unfinished tasks. I understand now that rest is not a detour from my path, it is part of the path.”
– Azima Dhanjee, ConnectHear (Pakistan)

“For years, I saw myself as a resilient tree on a mountain. But when the world felt increasingly fractured, I felt frozen and lost. My healing came unexpectedly when I reunited with Ms. Nhung, a founder of a traditional craft social enterprise we supported years ago. Amidst my own doubt, she appeared with a radiant smile, proudly sharing her new collection that had just won a major international award. In that moment, her success warmed my heart and reminded me that the human values we pursue are a living pulse, they always find a way to flow. To protect my mental health and stay motivated, I have shifted from the rigidity of a warrior to the fluidity of water. Nurturing inner strength – I practice 30 minutes of daily meditation, non-violent communication and unconditional love to build resilience from within, rather than depending on external resources. Embracing ‘laddership’ – I’ve moved from leading to supporting, focusing on supporting my community from the edges with love. Intentional simplicity – by embracing a lean, volunteer-based model and focusing on small, flexible ripples of support, I have found true freedom and happiness in being the change. I no longer wait for the world to provide answers; I choose how I live.
– Phạm Kiều Oanh, Centre for Social Initiatives Promotion (CSIP) (Vietnam)

“There will always be noise – expectations, comparisons, external pressures – but clarity comes from within. I protect my mental health by creating space to pause, reflect, and reconnect with my purpose. That might look like quiet mornings, movement, journaling, or simply stepping away from the constant stream of information. Progress does not always have to be loud or fast. Sometimes staying motivated simply means continuing – gently but consistently – in alignment with who you are. On challenging days, I remind myself: we cannot control the world’s pace, but we can choose how we respond to it. And that choice, again and again, is where strength lives.”
Sandy Lin, DaFon Environmental (Taiwan)

Reading through these responses, what strikes us is that the advice is not about pushing harder – the kind of relentless drive so often celebrated in business culture. It’s about something quieter and arguably more radical. The leaders we spoke to have found their own ways of going inwards – back to the source – and trusting their intuition. Whether that is the work itself, the people they love, faith, or simply themselves. Water doesn’t force its way through. It finds the path. And so the ripples of change created by the social enterprise movement continue.

We hope the wisdom shared here by social enterprise leaders from around the world helps you stay motivated in your work. How do you protect your mental health, and where do you find the motivation to keep going? Share your response with the SEWF community on social media using #IWD2026

You may also be interested in last year’s feature: Women to women: What advice would you share with others in social enterprise?

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Kasia Kotlarska - Communications Manager at SEWF

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