Why Emily Stepped Away
For over a decade, Emily built a successful career in tech sales, thriving in a world of fast-paced deals and ambitious targets. She was good at her job—really good. But after having her second child, the reality of returning to work felt impossible.
✔ Her baby refused a bottle, just like her firstborn.
✔ She had no close family nearby for childcare.
✔ She wasn’t comfortable trusting a nanny she didn’t know.
✔ Her role was set to require heavy travel in 2023.
✔ Her husband worked 60+ hours a week.
She had gone back to work after her first child, but this time was different.
"It wasn’t just about balancing work and family—it was about whether my career even fit the life I wanted to live."
After months of weighing her options, she made the decision that felt right for her family—she stepped away from work.
"It was the only choice that made sense."
But with that decision came a new challenge she hadn’t anticipated: the emotional toll of stepping back from a career she had spent years building.
The Challenges: Identity, Purpose & Financial Tradeoffs
- Who Am I Without My Career?
"Stopping work after a decade of being good at my job was one of the hardest things."
Her sense of accomplishment, structure, and personal achievement had always been tied to her professional success. Without it, she felt unmoored.
- The Emotional Toll of Not Earning an Income
"Not earning my own money was a hit to my pride."
Even though stepping away was the right decision for her family, it felt uncomfortable to rely financially on her spouse after years of independence.
- Navigating a New Reality with Two Kids
Emily had strong childcare for both children, but when her youngest started showing signs of sensory processing challenges in preschool, she knew she needed even more control over her schedule.
"Leaving full-time work wasn’t just about balance anymore—it became necessary to support my child in ways I couldn’t have if I stayed in a traditional job."
What Worked: Making Room for the Next Chapter
- Owning the Decision & Letting Go of Guilt
"I don’t think anyone regrets spending time with their kids when they’re younger."
She reminded herself that career breaks aren’t permanent—but childhood is fleeting.
- Finding Support in Unexpected Places
Emily leaned on parent support groups and Reddit communities, realizing she wasn’t alone. Many working parents had gone through the same struggles—and had come out stronger. - Independent Work Created the Flexibility She Needed
She shifted into consulting, which allowed her to be there for her children without answering to a boss.
"When I needed to take time off, I didn’t have to explain it to anyone. That freedom was invaluable."
However, she quickly realized that consulting also had its tradeoffs—less income stability, and clients who could easily take the place of a traditional employer if boundaries weren’t set.
Finding Fulfillment & a New Career Path
During her time at home, Emily found herself drawn to something she had always loved—organization.
"I’ve been organizing everything around me for as long as I can remember—why not turn it into a career?"
As she navigated motherhood and a shifting professional identity, she discovered a passion that had been there all along.
What started as a way to bring order to her own home became something more. She realized that the skills she used in sales—problem-solving, efficiency, and structure—translated seamlessly into helping others create organized, functional spaces.
So instead of returning to tech, Emily made the leap into professional home organizing.
Now, she’s using her skills in a new way—helping people create order in their homes, just as she did for herself during her career break.
"I never expected my time away from work to lead me to something even more fulfilling. But stepping away gave me the space to realize what I truly love doing."
Advice for Parents Considering a Career Shift
✔ You don’t have to have it all figured out immediately.
Career breaks, pivots, and shifts happen in stages.
✔ Spending time with your kids will never be a regret.
"No one looks back and wishes they had worked more when their kids were little."
✔ Your career after kids doesn’t have to look like your career before.
"Success is about finding work that fits your life—not forcing your life into a job that doesn’t fit."
Emily’s Both& Moment
Emily’s story is about both stepping away when she needed to and finding a career that fit her evolving priorities.
✔ She chose both career ambition and family-first decision-making.
✔ She faced both identity loss and the chance to build something new.
✔ She created both financial flexibility and meaningful work that she truly loves.
This wasn’t just about going back to work. It was about moving forward into something even better.
