Balancing Motherhood and Career: My Journey of Strength, Resilience and Empowerment at Actalent

When I had my daughter Anvita, my world changed irrevocably. She was my new centre of gravity, the person my entire life revolved around. So when faced with my return to work after maternity leave, I dreaded leaving her for even a second. Yet I valued my career and didn’t want to give up the independence and fulfilment it brought me. I felt like I would lose, whatever I chose.

I now know that my fears were misplaced. Even though it takes hard work and resilience, I’ve continued to advance my career and embrace motherhood, thanks to the supportive community I found at Actalent. My colleagues—coupled with Actalent’s top-tier childcare benefits—have made this transition easier for me and my family.

This Mother’s Day, I wanted to share my parenthood journey and the lessons I learned with other new moms who are trying to find their own balance between professional goals and precious moments with the little one.

Embrace Your New Priorities

My daughter has taught me many valuable lessons about prioritization, patience and time management. Thanks to her, I have greater clarity about what truly matters most in life: family.

Surprisingly, this has also made me better at my job. I find that I’m managing my workload more efficiently and productively, where I used to overthink irrelevant details or get bogged down in distractions. And as any new mom will tell you, the hustle and bustle of the workplace pales in comparison to the chaos and noise of a newborn in the house—meaning I’m calmer and more focused working in the office.

I also have fewer days when I struggle with motivation. With Anvita as my north star, I need no greater incentive than providing for her so she can have everything she wants. Even on days when I feel overwhelmed or tired, I find new reserves of strength and resilience within myself when I think of her.

A Supportive Employer Makes All the Difference

Balancing my work and my family was so much easier thanks to Actalent’s culture, which emphasizes care, transparency and “supporting passion with purpose.” Practically, this means flexible working arrangements, hybrid schedules, and excellent childcare assistance until Anvita turns 6 years old.

I’m also lucky to have supportive and encouraging colleagues whose small gestures, helpful interactions and shared personal experiences taught me how to manage my time and multi-task as a working parent. Weekly one-on-one meetings with my manager also ensure I have the resources I need to work confidently while meeting my family obligations.

My colleagues have gone above and beyond to ensure that new moms like me feel valued and supported in this next chapter of our lives. Ultimately, Actalent is a place where passion meets purpose, enabling everyone to strike a balance between work, life, and career. Its welcoming culture and supportive environment foster an atmosphere where individuals like me can thrive and succeed.

Take Care of Yourself

Notably, don’t underestimate the importance of self-care, both at home and in the workplace. Lean on your support networks for guidance and encouragement as a working parent, because there will always be days that are tough, especially when your kids are young. I learned that open communication about my individual needs and challenges is crucial.

In the end, my journey is a testament to the resilience and strength of mothers everywhere. As I embraced the joys and challenges of motherhood and career, I emerged stronger, wiser, and more determined than ever to pursue my dreams while nurturing my most precious gift: my child.

To all the new mothers embarking on this journey, I say embrace it, cherish the special moments, and never underestimate the power of a supportive community to uplift and empower you along the way.