I have built my career in the remote work industry long before I became a mom. I knew the ins and outs of managing tasks, streamlining processes, and supporting executives remotely. But when motherhood entered the picture, everything changed.

For years, before I became a mom, I mastered the art of juggling multiple projects, clients, and tasks. I thrived in the fast-paced world of virtual assistance, switching seamlessly from one responsibility to another, filling my days with productive work.

As an introvert, working from home felt like the perfect setup. I could stay in, fully immersed in my tasks, and I loved every bit of it.

But then, 2020 came and with it, a newborn. Suddenly, the life I had built around work and productivity shifted. My days were no longer dictated by deadlines and task lists, but by feeding schedules and sleepless nights.

I still managed to take on small projects here and there, keeping a foot in the virtual assistant world, but it wasn’t the same. Work no longer had my full attention. I wasn’t just a VA anymore! I was a mother, and balancing both roles was a whole new challenge.

Then, in October 2023, I made the difficult decision to take a full hiatus from work. No projects. No clients. No business. A complete break.

At first, it felt necessary, a chance to fully focus on my child and my home. But as the months passed, I began to feel the weight of it. I missed the structure of work, the satisfaction of completing tasks, the sense of financial independence.

By mid-2024, I knew it was time to return. Not just out of necessity, and not just out of desire, but because of both. I needed it, and I wanted it.

Step 1: Acknowledging That My Career Had to Evolve

Coming back wasn’t about picking up where I left off. Life had changed, and so had I. The way I worked before- endless hours, multiple clients, high-intensity tasks? It was no longer sustainable. This time, I needed a smarter, more intentional approach.

I asked myself:

• What kind of work do I truly enjoy?
• How many hours can I realistically commit to?
• What services allow me to maximize income without burning out?

Returning to work wasn’t just about making money, it was about designing a career that worked for my life, not the other way around.

Step 2: Rebuilding My Confidence & Skills

Even with my experience, coming back after a long pause felt daunting. The digital world moves fast. Had I fallen behind?

To regain my confidence, I:
Refreshed my skills . I updated myself on industry trends, new tools, and best practices.

Reminded myself of my expertise. I looked back at my past work, the systems I had built, and the results I had delivered for clients. I wasn’t starting from scratch. I had years of experience backing me up.

Step 3: Updating My Online Presence

Since I was already an established VA, my focus wasn’t on building from zero but repositioning myself for this new phase.

• I updated my LinkedIn and online profiles to reflect my current expertise.
• I refined my services, focusing on high-value tasks instead of low-paying, time-consuming work.
• I reconnected with my network, letting past clients and colleagues know I was back.

A simple LinkedIn message telling my return led to inquiries. It reminded me how important it is to stay visible, even during career breaks.

Step 4: Finding the Right Client(s) Again

Since I had past experience, my focus wasn’t IF I could find clients, but HOW to find the right ones. Clients who valued my expertise and respected my time.

I started by:

• Reaching out to former clients who might need support again.
• Applying selectively to roles on LinkedIn and freelance platforms.
• Engaging in online communities where potential clients were active.

Instead of taking on everything, I became intentional about choosing clients and projects that aligned with my new goals.

Step 5: Creating Work-Life Balance (For Real This Time)

Before motherhood, I worked long hours because I could. But now? I had to be more strategic.

1. Clear work hours. No more working all night just to meet deadlines.
2. Higher-value services. Focusing on what pays well instead of chasing multiple low-paying gigs.
3. Systems & boundaries. Automating and streamlining work to reduce stress.

This time, I wasn’t just working for income or the lifestyle I had when I was single! Now, I was working for the life I truly wanted, one that equipped me to be a mom, a co-provider, and a wife.

Restarting Isn’t Starting Over

Taking a break from work was one of the hardest yet most necessary decisions I made. But returning was even more powerful because this time, I knew exactly what I wanted.

If you’re thinking about restarting your career after a pause, here’s what I’ve learned:

• Your experience doesn’t disappear you just need to bring it back into focus.
• Clients still need what you offer, it’s just about finding the right ones.
• You can build a career that works for you, it doesn’t have to look like it did before.

This isn’t about starting over. It’s about starting again, on your own terms.

Are you returning to work after a break? I’d love to hear your story. Let’s talk in the comments!