Why We Need to Normalize Career Breaks for Women
Written by Dr. Issata Oluwadare, MSW, Consultant
Dr. Issata Oluwadare is an award-winning leader with a robust blend of experiences in the private and non-profit sectors spanning over 15 years. She specializes in empowering women in leadership and business through her consulting expertise and podcast, The EZ Breezy Life.
For years, I moved through life at full speed, working, building, leading, and showing up for everyone and everything. Like many ambitious women, I wore my work ethic like armor. But when life shifted, I was forced to do something I’d never done before: pause.
My career break followed a season of intense personal challenges, ones that tested my health, my home life, and my identity. In that space of stillness, I realized something powerful: stepping away wasn’t a step back. It was a reset.
Too often, we’ve been told that career breaks are career killers. If there’s a gap on your résumé, you’re less valuable or less committed. But here’s what I’ve come to believe: career breaks are strategic. They are brave. They’re a sign that you know when to protect your energy, re-evaluate your path, and honor what matters most.
During my time away, I gained clarity that no job could have given me. I renewed my purpose. When I returned, I brought more wisdom, empathy, and strength to the table than ever before.
And I’m not the only one.
According to a recent Forbes article, 80% of the 100 Most Powerful Women in the world are over the age of 50. That’s not a coincidence, it’s a signal. Women are playing the long game. Many of us peak later, after years of building, evolving, and stepping fully into our power. That means there’s no deadline on success, and no shame in taking a detour.
It’s time we stop apologizing for career breaks and start recognizing them as part of a sustainable, meaningful path. The break might look like time with family, navigating illness, going back to school, or simply resting. Whatever the reason, it’s valid.
So, if you’re in that space now, wondering if you’ve lost your momentum or fallen behind, let me remind you: your career is not a sprint. It’s a marathon, and every mile matters.
You’re not late. You’re exactly where you need to be. And when you return to the next chapter, because you will you’ll bring something priceless with you: perspective.
Let’s keep talking about this. Let’s normalize it. And let’s keep building careers that make space for all the parts of life that matter.
Read more from Dr. Issata Oluwadare
Dr. Issata Oluwadare, MSW, Consultant
Dr. Issata Oluwadare, MSW, is an award-winning leader with over 15 years of experience across the private and nonprofit sectors. A four-time No.1 best-selling author, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and certified life coach, she is dedicated to empowering women in leadership and business. Through her global online community, she supports and inspires women in over 50 countries. Learn more about her work and initiatives.
