The Power of a Pause: How Taking a Career Break Can Accelerate Your Wealth
Menopause isn’t just about hot flashes or mood swings. It’s a transformative phase that can shift how we see our lives, our work, and our purpose. As we go through this journey, we might hit a point where our work environment feels overwhelming. This is where a strategic break can step in—not just to help us recharge, but to open doors to new opportunities for personal, mental, and financial growth.
Why a Career Break Could Be Just What You Need
A well-timed break can be a powerful tool for rejuvenation and reinvention. It can help you:
Reduce stress and burnout: Taking time away from work can help you recharge and reduce stress levels.
Improve focus and productivity: A break can help you clear your head and return to work with renewed energy and focus.
Gain new perspectives: Stepping back from your daily routine can help you see things from a fresh perspective.
Develop new skills: A break can be an opportunity to learn new skills or pursue a hobby.
Explore new career paths: A break can help you reassess your career goals and identify new opportunities.
Overcoming Obstacles
One of the biggest challenges for women going through menopause is the fear of taking a break. Many women worry that they will be seen as less committed or less capable if they take time off. However, this is a misconception. In fact, taking a break can actually make you more valuable to your employer.
Shifting Out of the “This is How It’s Going to Be” Mindset
There’s a common mindset trap for many in midlife: assuming that our current state is permanent. We reach a certain age, experience menopause symptoms, and might think, “This is how things are from now on.” But today is just one chapter; tomorrow is another chance to shift gears and steer your life in a different direction. Taking a career break isn’t about giving up; it’s about recalibrating to set yourself up for future success.
Redefining Your Career Path
A career break can be an opportunity to redefine your career path. As you approach or go through menopause, you may find that your priorities and values have changed. This is a natural part of the ageing process. Taking a break can give you the time and space to reflect on what you want to achieve in the next phase of your life.
How to Make the Most of Your Break
If you're considering taking a break, here are some tips to help you make the most of your time:
Set clear goals: Before you take a break, define what you want to achieve during your time off. This will help you stay focused and motivated.
Create a realistic plan: Develop a plan for how you will spend your time. This may include travel, hobbies, volunteer work, or simply relaxing.
Communicate with your employer: If you're employed, be sure to communicate your plans with your employer. This will help ensure a smooth transition and minimise any potential negative consequences.
Take care of yourself: Make sure to prioritise your physical and mental health during your break. This may include getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, and exercising regularly.
Stay connected: While it's important to disconnect from work, it's also important to stay connected with friends, family, and colleagues.
Planning Your Break: Key Questions to Ask
Before you jump into a break, take time to assess if now is the right moment. Ask yourself:
Are you in a mental and emotional place where a break would lead to growth?
Do you have the resources and support to take time away from work?
What would you need to reset and move forward in a new direction?
The Benefits of a Well-Timed Pause
Many of us went through cycles of work and rest in our earlier years. Remember university semesters? You’d work hard for 10–12 weeks, then take a break, returning with a refreshed mind. This same rhythm can apply to midlife breaks. Giving yourself a chance to recharge, refocus, and reassess your goals can make you sharper, more innovative, and better prepared for the next stage.
Reflecting on your own experience, consider whether menopause symptoms—brain fog, fatigue, or fluctuating focus—are impacting your current work. Sometimes, these symptoms are signals pushing us toward something new. My personal journey with menopause includes chronic fatigue and a bit of procrastination, which often makes it challenging to keep up with the pace I once maintained. These changes have made me rethink my workday, scheduling tasks during the times when I feel most energised.
Defining Your Purpose at Midlife
Menopause can prompt us to reevaluate everything, from our work-life balance to our purpose. It’s a time to ask, “What is it that I truly want to be doing?” Life at midlife might look different than it did in your twenties or thirties. You might have children who’ve grown up, elderly relatives needing more attention, or changing health priorities that shift your focus.
Use this time to redefine your purpose and set a clear vision for your next steps. Consider your values and what fulfills you now, then plan a timeline for your goals. Keep in mind that while your timeline may feel shorter than it did in your twenties, there’s still plenty of time to craft a life and career that brings you joy and meaning.
Crafting a Plan for Your Break
Planning is essential to make the most of your career break. Without a roadmap, you might feel lost or unsure about how to return to the workforce or shift into a new role. Start by:
Evaluating Your Current Position: Is it serving you and supporting your goals? If not, it might be time for a change.
Exploring New Possibilities: Consider alternative career paths or even entrepreneurial ventures that align better with your current lifestyle and energy.
Setting Milestones: Outline the steps you need to take to transition smoothly, whether it’s training, networking, or financial preparation.
If you feel that your current role is wearing you out, consider that it may not be aligned with your passions and strengths. A break might offer the insight needed to explore paths that you hadn’t considered before. Taking a pause gives you the space to decide if you want to continue on your current trajectory or pivot towards something that resonates more with where you are now.
Midlife Momentum: Using Your Experience to Fuel Your Future
Taking a strategic pause doesn’t mean leaving your skills behind; it’s about redirecting them. Whether you want to apply your expertise in a new industry or start your own business, this phase of life can be incredibly empowering. Midlife is filled with momentum; you bring years of knowledge, experience, and resilience to the table. The key is to leverage these strengths as you map out a plan for what comes next.
Options to Explore During Your Break
Once you’ve decided to take a break, the next step is to consider what you might want to transition into. Are you interested in a new career, entrepreneurship, or even a complete lifestyle shift? There are options available, and sometimes a conversation with a mentor or coach can help clarify what’s possible.
If you’d like to discuss where you’re at, where you want to go, or how to get there, I can help you explore these options. There are pathways that fit different lifestyles and goals, whether you want to stay in your industry or forge a new direction.
Reset, Recharge, and Refocus
A career break can be as simple as taking a few weeks off, going on a holiday, or temporarily scaling back on work. What matters is that you approach this time with intention. Reflect on what you want from this phase of life and identify actionable steps to help you get there. Menopause might feel like a period of slowdown, but in reality, it can be a launchpad to something more fulfilling.
Closing Thoughts: It’s Never Too Late to Pivot
Menopause is a season of transition, not an end. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed or even stuck, but that doesn’t mean you have to settle for less. A well-planned career break can be a powerful way to regroup and refocus, setting you up for a richer, more meaningful work life. You don’t have to stay on the same path if it’s not where you want to be—there are countless possibilities waiting for you.
So, if you’re thinking about a new trajectory, a fresh pathway, or simply needing a break to refocus, let’s talk. There are options out there, and it’s all about finding the one that aligns with your goals, lifestyle, and personal journey. Menopause isn’t the end; it’s a new beginning. Let’s make the most of it.
Continuation of Your Menopause Success Journey:
So there you have it—hot flashes, cold cash, and everything in between. If you want to dive deeper into these topics, join me in my Facebook group Menopause Midlife and all the ****. We’re a supportive community of women going through the same thing, and we’re here to help each other through it. The menopause journey is a continuum. From perimenopause and on through into postmenopause, having people who understand and support you is essential. It's not the end of your life's journey; it's a phase, and having the right community can make all the difference.
I make it my mission to support women with their transition along the menopause journey and to signpost to the best financial opportunities for their circumstances. To talk further please use this link to book a call and discuss further support.
If you would like to join a supportive community, please drop me a line here. I love hearing from midlife women going through the menopausal transition.
Pssst, you can also check out my Menopause Midlife and all the ****. It includes monthly strategies and a community of women at the same life stage as you.
Click here to take a look at our membership to make every day just that little bit easier.
