Boss Babes Need Breaks!
In September 2024, after more than a decade of pouring my heart, soul, and every ounce of energy into a company I helped build from the ground up, I resigned. I was employee number four—just behind the CEO, CTO, and CFO—and had become a driving force behind the company’s growth and success. For years, I was fully immersed in the work and deeply recognized for it. I gave it everything I had… until I didn’t have anything left to give.
To the outside world—especially the tech industry where I was a well-known executive—my resignation came as a shock. Truthfully, it even surprised me. My identity had become so wrapped up in my title, in my reputation, and in the brand I proudly represented, that stepping away felt like stepping off a cliff. But inside, I knew I had hit a breaking point. My health was deteriorating, my spirit was depleted, and most importantly, I was not fully present for the one person who mattered more than any job ever could: my daughter.
For years, I had been in full performance mode—always on, always available, always trying to do more. And like so many high-achieving women, I was praised for it. But while I was thriving professionally, I was slowly unraveling personally. I ignored the warning signs—stress, burnout, a major health scare —until I couldn’t anymore. I realized I had built a successful career at the expense of my own well-being and at the cost of irreplaceable moments with my daughter.
Even as I struggled with a leadership shift at the company—working under a new CEO who seemed threatened by my tenure and presence—I kept showing up. I was the face of the brand, the one clients and colleagues trusted. But behind the scenes, I was enduring manipulation, ego-driven decisions, and professional sabotage. I kept telling myself to push through, to stay loyal, to keep producing results. But I was slowly disappearing in the process.
And then came the questions.
Who was I without my job?
What did I offer the world beyond my professional value?
Was I still worthy if I stepped out of the spotlight?
The answers weren’t immediate—but the decision became clear: it was time to choose me. Not the business version of me. The whole me. The human. The mother. The woman who had neglected herself for far too long.
So before committing to another high-level role, I would take a pause—not just to rest, but to reset. To reconnect. To feel. I wouldn’t allow my nervous system to live in constant fight-or-flight anymore. I would take the time to address my health issues (surgery included), have time to help my daughter more and to simply be available when she needed me - to show her that you don’t have to sacrifice your peace in order to be successful.
That break began with a trip to Pennsylvania to visit one of my earliest mentors and his wife—dear friends who had recently retired to a beautiful lake house. We shared long dinners, laughter, and reflection. It felt grounding.
From there, I flew to Florida to see my daughter. We checked into a Marriott near Disney for a much needed staycation. Fancy dinners, laser light shows by the pool, floating in the lazy river, oversized yard games, and even a few waterslides (yes, I actually went down one!). We binge-watched Emily in Paris, painted crafts, had dessert in bed, and saw Beetlejuice II. We talked, we cried, we laughed, we connected - it was a clear reminder of what truly matters. No phone notifications, no work emergencies—just uninterrupted time and connection.
That time with her was healing for both of us. I had been emotionally distant for too long, unintentionally teaching her that hustle comes before happiness. This time, I was fully present. And for the first time in a long time, we both felt safe, calm, and seen.
From Florida, I launched into the next leg of my break: a solo trip to Europe. That’s a story of its own… but I’ll just say this—every step, every plane ride, every pause was an intentional act of reclaiming my life.
-Carrie H.
