I’ll be the first to say it—motherhood changes you in ways you never imagined. One minute, you’re a professional with a solid career path, the next you’re knee-deep in diapers, trying to remember the last time you had a proper night’s sleep. I know this all too well as a mom of not one, but two sets of twins. Trust me, I’ve done the math—four kids, two arms, and one brain stretched thin!
For many of us moms, when the fog of early motherhood starts to lift, there’s often a question that creeps in: “Who am I now, beyond ‘Mom’?” It’s like standing at a crossroads, staring at that career you once poured so much energy into, but now wondering if it’s still a fit—or worse, if you still have what it takes.
Let me tell you, you absolutely do. The “Am I Still Qualified?” Dilemma Re-entering the workforce after having kids or switching careers after motherhood can feel like climbing a mountain in slippers. You might feel out of practice, unsure if your skills are still relevant, or even wonder if you should go in a completely new direction. And yes, society has this way of making moms feel like our only contribution should be to our homes. (Insert eye-roll here.)
But, here’s the thing: motherhood doesn’t erase your talents, it refines them. If you can juggle four kids, you can juggle anything! Negotiating with toddlers at bedtime? That’s conflict resolution at its finest. Managing snack time, homework, and playdates? Call it “event coordination” on your resume. The point is, you haven’t lost your professional skills, you’ve enhanced them—you just need to remind yourself of that.
Rediscovering Your Careeer Passion After MotherhoodBefore jumping back into the workforce or pivoting careers, take some time to reconnect with what lights your fire. Ask yourself: What did I love about my career before? Was it the creativity, the problem-solving, or maybe the sense of purpose it gave you? Sometimes, those passions might still be there; they’ve just been buried under layers of motherhood responsibilities.
When I was finally able to pause long enough (thank you, nap time!), I realized that I still had a deep passion for storytelling—whether in design, branding, or even just sharing my experiences as a mom. That spark was always there, it just needed to be reignited. So, give yourself the space to explore what you love, without the pressure of rushing back to a 9-to-5 grind.
The Confidence Game
Now, let’s talk about confidence. It’s easy to feel like you’ve lost a step after being out of the workforce, but let me remind you—confidence isn’t a one-size-fits-all outfit you just throw, It’s more like building a muscle; the more you use it, the stronger it gets.
Start by dipping your toes in the water. Update your LinkedIn, brush up on a few skills with some online courses, or reach out to former colleagues. You don’t need to leap straight into a new career; you can ease in at your own pace. For me, I began by taking on freelance design projects, and let me tell you, that first completed project felt like winning the mom Olympics!
And don’t be afraid to pivot if your heart isn’t in the same place. Maybe you were an accountant pre-kids, but now, you’re passionate about wellness or education. Guess what? That’s okay! Our paths aren’t set in stone. We can evolve, just like we evolve as mothers.
Lean Into Your Support SystemFinally, don’t do it alone. Re-entering the workforce after having kids or changing careers is tough enough—doing it while being a mom adds another layer. Lean on your support system, whether it’s family, friends, or even an online community of moms going through the same thing. I can’t tell you how many times a simple, “You’ve got this, girl,” from another mom has pulled me through on tough days.
Remember, rediscovering your career passion is not a race. Whether you’re taking baby steps or giant leaps, you’re moving forward. And in the same way we cheer for our kids when they try something new, we need to cheer for ourselves too.
So, to all the moms out there feeling stuck at that career crossroads, know this: you are not alone, you are capable, and you are so much more than “just a mom.” Your next chapter is waiting for you—go ahead and write it.