Let’s Add Some Order to This Chaos
My Maternity Break from the Corporate World and How Motherhood Prepared Me to Return to Work
My daughter was born in May 2024 at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, weighing 3.2 kg—fierce, full of sass, and bursting with charm. Needless to say, this was the moment that shook my world. I threw myself headfirst into her and into motherhood.
I don’t want to use the cliché "life as I knew it changed forever," but it truly did add a whole new perspective. Within days, I found my once perfectly organised, down-to-the-minute self thrown into a world of spontaneous chaos. Gone were the carefully planned days and tidy workspaces.
And yet, I adapted quickly—and I loved it so much more than I ever expected! Everyone talks about the struggles and challenges of the early days of motherhood, but few mention the dream-like moments. Perhaps it was the lack of sleep and constant brain fog that makes those very early days feel hazy, but they were also filled with sweetness. In those moments, I feel like I discovered what love truly smells like. We learned and grew together, creating our own little world—our made-up songs, our sweet routines, and those two special months we spent just the two of us, away from Daddy Balboa.
Nearly a year later, as I prepare to return to work, I realise that my old self hasn’t disappeared; it has evolved. Motherhood has brought a depth and perspective to my life that I never knew I needed.
As I transition back into the professional world, I’m not the same person I was when I left. Motherhood has transformed me in ways I never imagined, and these changes are deeply intertwined with my creative journey. While I’ve learnt countless lessons along the way, three in particular stand out—lessons that not only helped me navigate the whirlwind of motherhood but also align seamlessly with my work as a designer.
Embracing Imperfection: As designers, we often obsess over every pixel and line, striving for perfection. But motherhood has shown me that perfection is often overrated. I suddenly found myself knee-deep in baby sick, surrounded by toys scattered across the floor, and realised that some of life’s most precious moments come wrapped in messy, chaotic imperfection. Those raw, unfiltered moments taught me to see a whole new kind of beauty—one that isn’t always symmetrical or polished but is perfect in its own time and space.
Finding Inspiration in Everyday Moments: Motherhood has a way of slowing you down and making you appreciate the little things. I’ve learnt to find inspiration in the most unexpected places: the rhythm of my baby’s laughter, the play of light during an afternoon nap, or the colours of the sky during an evening walk. These seemingly mundane moments hold a quiet magic, sparking the kind of creative ideas that I never would have discovered if I hadn’t slowed down to notice them.
The Importance of Self-Care: Before becoming a mum, I constantly pushed myself to the limit in pursuit of perfection. But motherhood shifted my perspective on self-care. I’ve realised that it’s not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Self-care is no longer just about the occasional indulgence or a rare day off. It’s about recognising my own needs, setting boundaries, and taking small, deliberate steps to prioritise my well-being, even amidst life’s demands.
Looking back, the journey from those early chaotic days of motherhood to returning to the workplace has been transformative in ways I couldn’t have anticipated. I’m no longer the same person I was before my daughter was born, and that’s something I’ve come to cherish. The experiences of motherhood have enriched my creativity, broadened my perspective, and deepened my sense of self. As I step forward into this next chapter, I carry with me not only the lessons I’ve learned but a renewed passion for both my family and my work. The balance may not always be perfect, but that’s where the beauty lies—finding harmony amidst the imperfections.
