I’m a Careerist and here is what I experienced during a Career Break

I’m a career woman. I have worked non-stop for over 17 years, during which I got married and had my three lovely boys. Life has always been a busy schedule for me. I’ve never taken a long break, except for maternity leaves which I wouldn’t dare call a “break”. I always imagined myself working until retirement, but I was occasionally intrigued and concerned about the transition from a frenetic and fast-paced life to a slow and relaxed one. I always believed that our roles in life neither define us nor our self-worth. In fact, our roles change and will eventually end, whether as sons/daughters, partners, parents, friends, or employees, among other roles we may play. Therefore, I strived, amid this busy life, to give my life meaning beyond the “job” role so that when it ends, I would remain content and fulfilled.

At the end of last year, I decided to leave full-time employment and take a career break and venture into the unknown. Regardless of the reasons, it felt right to take a break and I felt I owed it to myself. Expectedly, many discouraged the move and strongly advised I don’t leave a job before securing another one because unemployment is stigmatized. Nonetheless, I was sure of my decision, I embraced uncertainty, and I took this time to slow down the pace and reset myself.

Looking back at the past months, and now that I’m going back to full-time employment, I can say that my decision was right and rewarding and has helped me grow in unexpected ways. I knew that going back to full-time employment was a matter of time, so I decided to make the most of this break.

I indulged in the interests and engagements I rarely had time for. I began going on regular walks around the city, read excellent books, exercised, journaled and meditated frequently, and enjoyed more quality time with the family. Professionally, I immersed myself in the world of freelance and I pursued some of my talents. ?I launched a training program in business etiquette that picked up quickly, I started writing blog posts and publishing them on multiple platforms, and even created a photography page on Instagram, called Feel Jordan. Time was full but pleasant, and I relished the freedom to navigate different routes and experiment with where they could take me. ?

This rich experience bore many lessons and I’m sharing 10 career break lessons with you in this blogpost.

1.?????? Slowing the pace and giving more time for yourself is a healthy move: if you’ve worked a full-time job all your life, you likely haven’t experienced a slow-paced life. I loved it! It gave me time to read, pay attention to my health, spend quality time with my loved ones, and reconnect with myself. This improved my well-being and mental health. I’d describe this phase as a phase of peace and calm growth. While you might be anxious to get your next job, don’t let that ruin the joy of an unhurried life. It’s a unique opportunity to pursue interests you didn’t have time for, and to gain a new outlook on career and life.

2.?????? Save, save, save: if you have the habit of regular saving, you will sail in the uncertainty of a career break with confidence. Having a financial cushion that will support you during the break will allow you to enjoy it and focus on making the best out of it instead of struggling to survive.

3.?????? Enjoy a break from office politics: if you have a healthy social life and a stable family environment, you’ll realize that during the break you don’t have to deal with any toxic or overwhelming vibes every day. Our professional life can take its toll on our mental wellbeing. You may find yourself dealing with power struggles, unpleasant personalities, draining feelings, and complex work situations. Taking this respite from work gave me mental and emotional clarity and I gained back my self-motivation to jump back into work with a healthier mindset.

4.?????? Don’t tolerate an unhealthy work environment if you can afford a break: many people stay in jobs they despise, and it harms their health and wellbeing. People tend to stay in jobs they dislike for two reasons; either they don’t have another option to move to, or they are afraid of taking a risk and prefer the comfort zone although it may be anything but comfortable. If you can afford a break, take it even if once in your career.

5.?????? Job search takes time: It’s not about how qualified you are, it’s about finding the right opportunity at the right time. Remain positive that the next step will eventually come regardless of the timing and keep searching actively. ?

6.?????? Try to start a new endeavor: a career break offers the space to build on and broaden the skills you own. It’s a chance to have fresh perspectives and follow your passion and do something that brings you joy and satisfaction. Business etiquette and professional manners were a field I have been trained in and I trained on, so I dived deeper into it and launched a training program and started delivering it to corporates. The demand and feedback were encouraging, and thus I plan to pursue my training plans and expand them.

7.?????? Work on upskilling yourself: a career break is a great opportunity to improve professional skills and acquire more knowledge, and it can advance employability. I took multiple courses, and they helped me in reevaluating my career plans and plan my next move better informed. I felt it was imperative to stay current with my field of expertise.

8.?????? Stay disciplined: after you’ve taken the time to enjoy the freedom of a break, make sure you utilize your time meaningfully. Put a flexible schedule for your days and ensure you remain productive.

9.?????? Remain active and connected: ?growing your professional network is key in paving the way for your next professional endeavor, whether through participating in events and conferences, or connecting with professionals on online platforms, like LinkedIn. Your professional network can raise your business profile and widen your career prospects. Your network can open doors for your next job opportunity.

10.? Put yourself out there: share your plans and aspirations with your trusted network and explore opportunities openly. If you’ve started a new project, promote it and share your updates with your network. ?

"Life is not a straight line; it's filled with unexpected pauses and pivots. A career break is but a chapter in the grand narrative of self-discovery and growth." Embrace change; it is a healthy move, ride on the wave and maximize what it has to offer.

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