Gwyneth Paltrow Admits Her Life Isn't as Perfect as It Seems: "Some Days I Just Think I Am Failing"

"I think it's very hard to try to find the right balance," she tells Viva

For better or worse, Gwyneth Paltrow's name is synonymous with striving for perfection.

But according to the star, she too struggles to balance her personal and professional lives. "Some days I just think I am failing everywhere," she told Viva. "Like today, I was making lunch and saying to myself, 'This lunch is so bad,' throwing pasta in the lunch bag, yelling, 'Get in the car.' I was losing my cool."

Paltrow, who consciously uncoupled from Chris Martin several months ago, continued, "I think it's very hard to try to find the right balance, and I think we all aspire to that balance, but it's easier said than done. It's just a matter of trying your best each day and not being too hard on yourself about things."

The actress and musician are parents to Apple Martin, 10, and Moses Martin, 8.

Earlier this year, the 41-year-old movie star's comments about parenting caused controversy. This time, however, she praised the average working mom. "I think when you are a working mother it is always very difficult. In fact it's difficult if you are a mother anyway even if you are not working," Paltrow said.

"It's the demand, the responsibility and the love. It's a lot. And trying to balance a career with it makes it hard," she added. "I have a lot of respect for women who try to do both things, because I really struggle."

Paltrow, who is a brand ambassador for Max Factor, also shared her thoughts on beauty and fitness. "I really think that beauty comes from the woman, and when the woman knows herself and is comfortable with herself, she just exudes a real allure and real beauty," the star told the magazine's October issue.

As such, the Goop founder makes her health—and her family's health—a priority.

"I really believe in exercise as a beauty secret. I think that is the key to keeping your skin tone. You are detoxifying and it keeps you looking young and healthy. I also try to drink a lot of water and I try to eat healthy, although yesterday I had a huge plate of French fries and a glass of wine­," Paltrow confessed.

"I normally try to balance this," she added.

"I wouldn't get up at 4 in the morning for anything...but generally, my routine is that I drop my children at school and then I exercise for about an hour and a half, five days a week, and that way I can do some weights, muscular structure work and get in some good cardio," she said. "Then I am good for the day."