Meghan Markle recently shared her thoughts on the challenges she’s faced while managing multiple projects, speaking candidly about the difficulties that came with launching several ventures at once.
At the TIME100 Summit in New York City, the Duchess of Sussex opened up about how she’s learning to embrace the inevitable mistakes that come with new endeavors.
Managing Multiple Projects Simultaneously
Launching three major projects simultaneously—the Netflix series With Love, Meghan, her company As Ever, and the Lemonada podcast—has been no small feat for Meghan.
These projects have faced various issues along the way, from critical reviews to logistical problems.
Despite the struggles, Meghan admits that the last year and a half have been incredibly busy and ambitious.
She acknowledges that managing these projects simultaneously has tested her in unexpected ways.
“I’m giving myself the space and grace to make mistakes,” she said, explaining how she knows it’s not realistic to get everything right all the time.
Concerns About Her Show’s Direction
Before launching her Netflix series, Meghan had concerns about it turning into a reality show about her life, something she wanted to avoid.
She reflected on the challenge of creating content that felt authentic and not like the typical reality show.
Meghan shared that she was determined to produce something unique, stating, “I didn’t necessarily want to do that, and I didn’t want a reality show.”
She wanted to make sure the content stayed true to her vision.
Balancing Motherhood and Career
For Meghan, being a mother to her two young children, Archie and Lilibet, has helped her maintain perspective on what truly matters.
She explained that what might seem like a significant issue often becomes less important when compared to her children’s lives.
“Something that is seemingly so big somehow becomes so microscopic in importance compared to what’s happening with my children,” she said.
Navigating Scrutiny and Creating Boundaries
When asked about dealing with the intense scrutiny that comes with her public life, Meghan explained that she’s made a conscious effort to establish boundaries for her own mental health and well-being.
“It’s important for me to be a good role model,” she shared, emphasizing her desire to raise her children with strong values.
She also mentioned the importance of raising her son with confidence and self-respect, believing that it empowers not only him but the women around him as well.
Meghan added that she has learned to tune out the external noise and stay focused on her inner peace.
The Ups and Downs of New Ventures
Despite the challenges, Meghan is determined to stay positive and focused on her goals.
Her Netflix series With Love, Meghan premiered with a lot of fanfare, but the reception was not as expected, with negative reviews from both critics and viewers.
Her new lifestyle brand, As Ever, also ran into difficulties, including issues with overselling and canceled orders.
Even her new podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder, has faced hurdles, with sources close to the production revealing that big-name stars like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift have not responded to Meghan’s calls to join the show.
Meghan’s Commitment to Empowerment
Meghan’s podcast, however, continues to feature inspiring women, such as Whitney Wolfe Herd, the founder of Bumble, and Reshma Saujani, the founder of Girls Who Code.
While the show initially struggled to attract A-list guests, Meghan is determined to keep moving forward, focusing on honest conversations with women who have built their careers from the ground up.
Though she hasn’t yet landed the celebrity names she hoped for, Meghan remains committed to empowering women and telling their stories.
Finding Happiness and Freedom
Despite the challenges, Meghan concluded her speech at the TIME100 Summit by expressing how happy and free she feels in her life right now.
“Of all the things that happened, I never would have imagined at this point I’d be so happy and free,” she said, reflecting on how her supportive partner, Prince Harry, and their healthy, joyful children have contributed to her sense of contentment.
“I really do,” she added, emphasizing how grateful she is for the life she has built.