How to ‘Empower’ the Gap

What I’m doing to build my profile after my career break

I still remember the first time I had to decide between sleep training my baby or following my gut and holding her a little longer. That moment, like many others, reminded me how motherhood reshapes us; not just emotionally, but neurologically. Our decision-making changes. Our priorities shift. And yet, the world often treats this transformation like a gap.

Whether it’s about the child - solids, naps, potty training or about ourselves - careers, workouts, or sleep, there’s no right or wrong. But there is judgment, especially if you choose to stay home. That judgment seeps into your confidence, making you wonder:

• Will I ever be able to go back to paid work?

• Can I still work at the same level I did before kids?

This needs to change.

As I’ve shared before, your time at home is not a detour - it’s a transformation. It’s a season of recalibration: becoming present to new values, developing emotional intelligence, learning to navigate chaos, and gaining a million invisible skills (recipe hacks - coming soon!).

That said, the well-meaning advice to “stay relevant” via webinars, networking, and passion projects doesn’t always fit into real life. With two kids, a dog, and a desire for even 10 minutes of peace (or doomscrolling), routine upskilling can easily fall off the list. And that’s okay.

You don’t need to do it all, all the time. You just need to start!

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So what can you really do to “empower” the gap?

Here’s what I’ve done (and am still doing) to rebuild confidence and visibility after a 7-year break:

✩ Start with Conversations

Don’t wait for the perfect pitch. Just start talking.

"I want to get back to paid work. I used to be a ____. I’m interested in ____. I don’t know where to start - any advice?"

That honesty opens doors. I’ve been connected to some incredible people just by putting myself out there.

✩ Follow Your Curiosity

If a webinar, event, or course sparks something in you, try it. Don’t worry yet about how it fits; just follow what feels interesting. Some paths will evolve into skills. Others will just teach you something. Both are wins.

✩ Always Be Learning

A growth mindset matters more than polished resumes. I never expected to launch a clothing brand or run pop-ups. I did it anyway. Even if I wasn’t perfect, I showed up, learned, and adapted.

✩ Try AI. Yes, Really.

The world of AI is here and it can feel overwhelming. But I’ve leaned in. Here’s how:

• ChatGPT: Helping me brainstorm and write (yes, including this post).

• Gemini: Drafting Product Requirement Documents (PRDs).

• Lovable: Turning my product ideas into websites.

• Perplexity: Doing smarter research (hello, summer camp planning!).

No one’s asking you to become an AI expert. Just explore it in ways that serve you.

✩ Build Your Story Through Projects

I’m currently doing a user research project to build a case study. The topic? How recruiting systems overlook non-linear careers. It’s personal. It’s real. And it’s helping me rebuild my portfolio and connect with other women navigating the same terrain.

Know someone on a career break (2+ years) or just returned to work? Send them my way. I’d love to learn from their story. Here’s the link to book a time!

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To close:

I have a 7-year gap on my resume but it’s not a gap in who I am.

In that time, I’ve raised humans, held space for growth (theirs and mine), and built skills no course could teach. I’ve launched a brand, explored AI tools, built a community, and redefined what work means to me.

And yet… hiring systems don’t account for that. They filter out resumes with “breaks.” They offer internships only to students. They overlook everything we gained in the so-called gap.

But we can change that.

By showing up. By building. By telling new stories.

The gap isn’t a weakness. It’s where our power grew quietly.

It’s time we bring it forward.