From Life to Business: 5 Lessons I Didn’t Expect to Learn on Maternity Leave
Coming back to work after maternity leave has been... a lot. Beautiful, chaotic, surprising, exhausting, and of course, magical. I knew becoming a mom would be life-changing (duh), but I didn’t expect motherhood to teach me so much that applies to both life and business. Here are a few of the lessons that have really stuck with me so far.
1. I Can Do Anything One-Handed (But That Doesn’t Mean I Should)
Turns out, you can respond to emails, draft proposals, and make lunch all while holding a baby. I’ve learned to multitask like a pro... but I’ve also learned that just because you can do ten things at once doesn’t mean it’s always the best way.
"Mom brain" is real. So much of my energy is going to this tiny human that there’s less left for everything else. With so much to do, it’s tempting to multitask, but that often leads to mistakes.
This time has reminded me that focused, intentional effort in one direction often moves the needle more than trying to do everything all at once. In marketing and in motherhood, quality > quantity.
2. You Can't Always Push
(Yep, that's a labor pun, which happens to be all too true since I had an emergency C-section and didn’t do any actual pushing!)
Here’s the thing: you can’t be in “go mode” forever. You push hard to get to a place of stability, and then? You have to rest. If you don’t, burnout will come knocking — hard. In my early motherhood, I've learned that rest is essential — because this is a marathon, not a sprint.
This has made me more mindful in business too. Slowing down to reflect, recharge, and reassess is arguably just as important as the hustle. That pause gives you clarity and creativity. It helps you tune into what your business (or body, or baby) actually needs.
3. Plans Are Great, But Flexibility Is Better
I had a whole birth plan mapped out: calm, and with minimal intervention. And it went exactly as planned and it was a breeze! (Kidding, as mentioned before, the emergency C-section kinda rained on my parade).First lesson in parenting: control is often an illusion, so you've got to be able to roll with the punches.
Business is no different. You can have a killer strategy, but life, trends, and the world will always throw curveballs (like presidential elections, raging wildfires, protests, tariffs, a global pandemic, and more). Being able to pivot, adapt, and respond in real-time is often more valuable than sticking to the plan.
4. Community Is Everything
One of the most valuable parts of early motherhood has been my support system, which I have definitely leaned on. Whether it was swapping advice, taking turns hosting playdates, or just texting a friend at 2 AM for advice— it’s made all the difference.
Same goes for business. Having a network you can lean on, learn from, and collaborate with is what it's all about. The right connection can spark a new idea, open a door, or simply remind you that you're not in it alone. Especially in marketing, collaboration can be your secret weapon.
5. The Grass is Always Greener
It’s so easy to look at another family and wonder how they’ve got it so together; what their birth was like, how their baby sleeps, how they’re already back at work and thriving. But you never know the full story.
The same applies to business. We scroll and compare — followers, milestones, engagement — but so much is hidden behind the scenes. You don’t know someone else’s margins, hours, or mental load. The grass may look greener, but it’s probably just a filter.
Final Thoughts
It goes without saying that motherhood has changed me, and taught me in ways I didn’t expect. I'm learning how to slow down, let go, tune in, and trust the process. I'm not surprised to see how those same lessons are shaping how I show up in my work
So if you’re in a season of change — whether it’s parenthood, entrepreneurship, or just life being life — know that you don’t have to do it all. Focus where it matters, rest when you need to, pivot with grace, lean into your people, and stop comparing your beginning to someone else’s middle.
