Finding Balance: A Journey of Work, Motherhood, and Self-Discovery

As a mother, balancing the demands of work and family life can feel like walking a tightrope, where every decision and every moment counts. For many of us, the quest to juggle the two can sometimes feel overwhelming. But through my own experiences, I've learned that true balance isn't about perfection or knowing all the answers. It's about embracing the ebb and flow of life, being present in each moment, and learning to adapt as you go.

Here's my story of navigating the delicate dance of work and motherhood, and the lessons I've learned along the way.

A Shift in Purpose: From Engineer to Mother

My journey began as an engineer in the technology sector, where I thrived in creating systems designed to improve lives through innovation. I loved being a part of something where I was collaborating with great minds to push boundaries. But everything transformed when I became a mother.

Motherhood was a profound awakening for me. It flooded my heart with an overwhelming sense of love, gratitude, and care. Suddenly, my focus shifted. I wasn't just thinking about technology; I was thinking about how I could nurture this new life, helping it to bloom into a healthy, positive, and happy human being.

But balancing this new role with my full-time career proved to be challenging. My child faced constant ear infections at daycare, and I found myself struggling to maintain the energy and focus I needed to be the mother I wanted to be.

The Decision to Quit and Find Flexibility

I had gone back to work when my baby was 4 months old. After months of exhaustion and guilt over not being present enough, I made an unexpected overnight decision to quit my job. It was a powerful inner feeling that was only focused on my baby's wellbeing. Everything else in that moment did not matter. My husband, who knew me from college, was surprised that I could even think of that! However me, all that mattered was my baby's wellbeing. He suggested I request my company to allow me to work part-time. Part-time! I could not believe he even thought I should ask. This was many years ago, when the tech workforce did not have the flexibility it has today. He nudged me further that I had nothing to loose since I had decided to quit.

This led me to my first daring act in my journey as a mother. The next day I went straight to meet one of the head executives of the company, whom I knew. I explained my dilemma and asked to work with a part-time status and to my surprise, he agreed! He in turn, actually left me speechless! As I thanked him for giving me this opportunity, he said "thank you", to me. Dumbstruck, I asked him why would he thank me. He said "I am sure that there are many women in your shoes, but not everyone has the courage to ask". This marked a turning point in my life. I was able to nurture my child and build a more balanced, flexible work-life environment, one where I could show up fully as a mother without sacrificing my career.

In those early years of motherhood, I learned that sometimes the greatest gift you can give your family is your presence. By stepping back from the daily grind of a demanding full-time job, I was able to devote myself more fully to my child's well-being and development.

The Juggling of Motherhood and Career

Fast forward a few years, and my family grew. I was blessed with a second child, and once again, my life was filled with the joy and challenges of balancing motherhood with a career. By this time I was certain I wanted to step back from my career and be fully present and available as a mother.

Years later, when my first child went off to college, I decided to return to work—this time in the field of Data Science. While I enjoyed the intellectual stimulation and fulfillment, I found that being constantly digitally connected left little time for the quality, undistracted interactions I longed to have with my children.

I began to realize how important it was for me to be emotionally available for my family, especially my younger child who was navigating high school. I wanted to be the safe space where she could talk, process emotions, and find guidance in a world that seemed more overstimulating than ever.

The Power of Presence

Once again, I made another difficult decision: to step back from my career once again and focus on being fully present with my family. This decision proved to be very fruitful, since it allowed me to fully support my children in a time of unprecedented uncertainty, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

Through this period of reflection, I learned that presence is one of the most powerful tools in parenting and in life. It's not about doing everything perfectly; it's about being there when it matters most.

The Inner Transformation: Discovering My True Calling

As I transitioned into the phase of becoming an empty-nester, I found myself looking back at the years of personal growth and reflection I had experienced. I had learned so much about balance, about listening to my inner voice, and about what truly matters in life. It became clear to me that I wanted to help others discover their own path to self-empowerment, awareness, and balance.

That's when I decided to become a Life Coach, enhancing my practice with Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). NLP helped me understand how our perceptions shape our reality and how we can reshape them to achieve our goals and create the lives we want.

Today, I use these tools to guide clients toward achieving the balance they seek—not just between work and family, but in every area of life. By coaching them on how to shift their mindset, prioritize what truly matters, and cultivate presence, just as I have learned to do.

The Key to Balance: Embrace the Flow

Balance isn't about rigidly managing every moment or never feeling conflicted. It's about embracing the ebb and flow of life, being willing to adapt as circumstances change, and prioritizing what aligns with your values in any given moment. For me, the balance between work and motherhood has never been a straight path—it's been a winding road filled with twists, turns, and opportunities for growth.

If you are navigating the delicate balance between work and motherhood, remember this: be kind to yourself. Life is constantly evolving, and so are you. Trust in your ability to navigate this journey with love, presence, and grace, always aligned with your purpose. For me, it was creating the most balanced and harmonious environment I could, to nurture my children.

Final Thoughts

As a mother and a professional, the balance between work and family is a constantly evolving process. It's not about finding a perfect formula, but about staying present, flexible, agile and attuned to your needs and the needs of those you love. The most important thing is to show up for yourself and your family—one moment at a time.

I believe every step you take on this journey is a step toward greater self-awareness and deeper fulfillment. Keep going! There is light at the end of the tunnel!