My maternity leave journey so far

Hey reader,

I’m seven months into my maternity leave, and I want to share how it has impacted my career so far. We all know that having children is a life-changing experience, but when it comes to work, we each have unique journeys. Some of us don’t see a massive change regarding our jobs, while others do. Here’s my experience broken down into different categories.

Growth

It's no surprise that having a child has put my career progression on hold. Before maternity leave, I was working towards becoming a more influential, managerial designer. While I’m still far from becoming a manager, and this year hasn’t seen much progress, I’m optimistic about the future. Once I find my next gig, I’ll aim for a senior role to get closer to becoming a lead or manager. On a positive note, I’ve had the opportunity to mentor more designers, which is a valuable skill for any manager. Plus, I’ve successfully managed my wedding preparations—does that count too?

Money

As the primary caregiver for my baby, my ability to make money has significantly diminished. I’ve taken on a few clients and small gigs, but overall, my earnings have seen a drastic decrease. Thankfully, this is what savings are for! Rather than viewing this year as a financial setback, I’m using my free time to educate myself on investing in assets such as stocks and property.

Development

With a bit more time on my hands, I’m diving into topics I want to present in my design course. I’m browsing the internet, learning new things as I go, and continually expanding my design skills. It’s still been a great period of professional growth, despite the pause in my career.

Satisfaction

I want to end by saying that being a mom is my favorite job in the world. While I like being a designer, I don’t love working. I much prefer pursuing my hobbies and passions and being more present for the people in my life. I see myself remaining a designer for the next decade, but not forever. And that’s all I have to share for today.

Thank you for reading, and I look forward to sharing more updates soon.

I'm a designer who loves to make educational content. Find me on YouTube or Instagram for all things design and tech. Did you know? I offer 1-to-1 mentoring sessions for designers seeking new job opportunities or career guidance.