After eighteen years of continuous movement in the world of public relations, events, and communications, I did something I had never done before and never thought I’d be doing. I paused! It wasn’t just because I had to, but because I wanted to!
It all happened around the time I was planning for my maternity leave and may have built up after the personal learnings I had gathered through a tough and challenging health situation a few years ago, which quietly reshaped how I saw everything including work, life, success, people or even myself. It strongly taught me to see things differently, to pause when needed, and to prioritize. Together, those experiences created a huge shift in my thinking and reminded me that wellbeing isn’t something to be squeezed in around the edges of a busy life, but something that deserves to be at the center of it. And for the very first time, I allowed space for stillness, and in that stillness, something greater shifted within me.
I had always prided myself on being self driven and constantly on the move, and like many women in high pressure careers, I wore resilience like armor, but motherhood introduced me to a different kind of strength. It made me realize that being fulfilled professionally should not mean being depleted personally and that showing up at work should not come at the cost of showing up for yourself or for those you love.
I know many women in today’s world who carry invisible weight every day, whether it’s the pressure to perform, the pressure to prove, or the pressure to keep going.
The truth is, you are allowed to pause, you are allowed to rest, you are allowed to choose differently because your value is not tied to how much you endure.
When I decided not to jump back into work right away, it surprised a lot of my close circle of friends and relatives who knew me inside out, but I was clear that I was not stepping away, I was stepping inward. I knew I wanted to be part of something where wellness and ambition are not treated as opposites, where leadership is rooted in empathy, and where growth and appreciation do not require burnout as a prerequisite.
Everyone’s journey looks different, some people move forward quickly while others take the scenic route. What matters is not how fast you go, but how honest you are with yourself along the way and to know that pausing is not a weakness, but an act of clarity.
As we all move through seasons, some ask for movement and others ask for stillness, and both are equally worthy! What matters is that the choices we make come from a place of truth, not pressure, and there is huge strength in knowing when to pause and there is also power in returning with intention and most importantly, there is deep confidence in recognizing that your well being is not a luxury, but it is the foundation for everything you want to build, so know that you are allowed to protect your energy, your peace, and your priorities.
You do not have to explain your pace to anyone. Trust it, honor it, and when you choose to return, do it for yourself, not to prove anything, but because it feels right.
