The Crossroads: A Pivotal Career Moment
Julia had always been a high-achiever. She had spent years climbing the corporate ladder, finally landing a role she loved—one that gave her purpose and a clear career trajectory. But when she had her first child in her late 30s, everything shifted.
At first, she told herself she could handle it. She had seen other women return from maternity leave and jump right back into high-powered roles. Why would she be any different?
"Shortly after returning to work, I realized I did not have enough to give my department. The role was very demanding, and there was no room to balance motherhood and work."
She tried to push through. She told herself she just needed more time to adjust. But then came the panic attacks, the racing thoughts, the overwhelming sense that she was failing at everything.
What she was experiencing had a name: Postpartum Anxiety Disorder (PPDA). And while she had read about postpartum depression, she hadn’t expected the anxiety—the way it made her question every decision, every moment away from her son, every task on her to-do list.
"I needed to leave for my mental health and to be there for my son and my family."
Leaving wasn’t an easy decision, but it was a necessary one. And for the first time in her life, Julia had no plan.
"During this transition, I longed to still have something. I never imagined I’d be a stay-at-home mom. But I took this opportunity to explore a high school dream and start my small business."
She hadn’t expected to become an entrepreneur. But as she adjusted to life outside of corporate structure, a new path slowly began to emerge.
The Challenges: Identity, Isolation & Letting Go
Stepping away from a career wasn’t just about leaving a job. It was about leaving a version of herself she had spent years building.
- Losing Herself in Motherhood
"No one can prepare you for motherhood. Maybe having my child in my late 30s made the transition harder, but I struggled with who I was after becoming a mother. My world, as I knew it, changed."
She had always identified as a professional. Now, she was being introduced as "Oliver’s mom." And while she loved her son more than anything, it felt like she had disappeared.
- Leaving a Career She Loved
"I had finally found my career path, and then everything changed. My priorities shifted, but at the same time, I felt like I was losing myself in the process."
There were moments of doubt, moments when she scrolled through LinkedIn seeing old colleagues get promotions and wondered if she had made a mistake.
- The Loneliness of Being a Stay-at-Home Mom
Motherhood, for all its joy, can also be incredibly isolating.
"I went from having back-to-back meetings, team brainstorming sessions, and structured projects to long stretches of the day where the only person I talked to was my baby."
She missed the mental stimulation, the sense of progress. And on the hardest days, she wondered: Will I ever get back to the person I was before?
What Worked: Embracing Change & Finding a New Path
- Making the Decision Without Regret
"It was a very easy decision to choose my family first."
At the time, it felt like a leap into the unknown. But looking back, she knows it was the right choice.
- What She Would Have Done Differently
"I might have asked to move to part-time or pare down first before leaving a career that I built."
She didn’t realize it then, but there were middle-ground options—ways to stay engaged without fully stepping away.
- Finding a New Path Through Entrepreneurship
What started as a small creative outlet—something to fill the gaps of the day—slowly turned into something bigger.
"Starting my own business gave me a sense of purpose again. It reminded me that I still had talents outside of motherhood, that I could still create something of value."
At first, it was just a passion project. But as she leaned into it, she realized: this could be something real.
The Tools & Resources That Helped
- Working with a Coach
"I worked with a coach who helped me process the transition and reshape my mindset."
Having someone outside of her family validate her struggles made all the difference.
- Leaning on a Small Business Community
"My small business community became my resource during this process. It gave me support, direction, and confidence that I wasn’t doing this alone."
She found online forums, local networking groups, and other women who had built something from scratch. Seeing their success helped her believe in her own.
Advice for Parents Considering a Similar Path
- You Are Not Alone
"At the end of the day, you have to do what’s best for your mental health and your family." - Consider Alternative Options Before Walking Away Completely
"If I could do it again, I might have explored part-time options before fully stepping away." - See It as an Opportunity, Not Just a Loss
"You never know what will come from these decisions. It’s an opportunity to reinvent yourself and build the life you love around and with your family." - Find a Way to Keep Something Just for You
"Whether it’s a creative project, a part-time job, or volunteering, having something outside of motherhood is important. It doesn’t make you less of a mom—it makes you a whole person."
Julia’s Both& Moment
Julia’s story is a reminder that stepping away from a traditional career doesn’t mean stepping away from ambition, fulfillment, or purpose.
She chose both mental health and family stability.
She gave up both career certainty and found a new way to work that fit her life.
She experienced both loss and a rediscovery of what truly mattered to her.
Stepping away wasn’t the end—it was the start of something different, something better. And for Julia, that was success.
