Redefining Success: Lessons from My Career Break

Hello Fam!

Career breaks are often seen as unconventional, risky, or even a sign of failure. But for those who take them, they can be a period of profound learning and self-discovery. I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Moraa about her experience taking a break after over a decade in marketing, navigating burnout, and reshaping her perspective on work and identity. Listen to the full episode here on spotify.

The Unexpected Signs of Burnout

Moraa had always been one of those lucky people who genuinely loved their job. Marketing, especially in the fast-paced world of startups, suited her restless curiosity. But in 2023, something shifted. The excitement that once fueled her started fading. She noticed she no longer felt lucky to be in her industry. Instead, she became hyper-aware of the toxic aspects of startup culture and the relentless demands of marketing.

"It wasn’t the kind of burnout where I couldn’t get out of bed," she shared. "It was more like an internal shift—I started questioning everything. I wondered if it was marketing I no longer loved or just the environment I was in."

Taking the Leap Without a Perfect Plan

Despite being a planner, Moraa admitted she didn’t map out her career break meticulously. "I tried to reverse-engineer my way out of burnout—going to the gym, positive self-talk—but nothing worked. Eventually, I just couldn’t do it anymore, and I left."

She had an emergency fund, a habit formed from years of working in volatile startup environments, which helped ease financial anxieties. But what she hadn’t prepared for was the emotional journey that followed.

Navigating Identity Loss and Existential Questions

One of the biggest shocks came when she realized how much of her identity was tied to work. "When you’re no longer introducing yourself with your job title, it feels unsettling. If I’m not a marketer, then who am I?"

With time, she learned to sit with the discomfort. "We’re so afraid to be alone with ourselves. We fill our time with distractions, but a break forces you to confront parts of yourself you’ve ignored."

The Highs and Lows of Career Breaks

Initially, the break felt like freedom. She could travel mid-week, take yoga classes at noon, and pursue hobbies she had shelved. But as the months passed, the novelty wore off. "The things I thought I wanted to do didn’t even take up that much time. Then I had to deal with the big question: What do I do with the rest of my day?"

She also learned that clarity doesn’t always come on a fixed timeline. "I planned for six months, thinking I'd have it all figured out by January 2024. That didn’t happen."

Lessons from the Journey

1. Burnout isn’t always obvious. It can manifest subtly as a shift in perspective rather than outright exhaustion.
2. Planning isn’t everything. Sometimes, taking the leap first and figuring things out along the way is the best you can do.
3. Work is not your identity. Detaching from professional labels can feel unsettling, but it opens up space for deeper self-exploration.
4. Give yourself permission to just be. Career breaks don’t have to be hyper-productive. Rest, reflection, and even boredom are part of the process.

Moraa’s story is a powerful reminder that career paths don’t have to be linear. Sometimes, stepping away is the best way to move forward. Whether you’re considering a break or just questioning your relationship with work, her experience offers valuable insights on listening to yourself and embracing the unknown.

Listen to the full episode here on spotify.

Have you ever considered taking a career break? What’s holding you back—or what did you learn if you already took one?

Martha