In July last year, I made a decision that felt both terrifying and necessary: I stepped away from a job I had poured nearly five years of my life into. I was burnt out emotionally, mentally, and spiritually depleted. On paper, things looked good. But inside, I was running on fumes. I needed to step back and breathe, and for the first time in my career, I gave myself permission to pause.
I didn’t have a five-point plan or a clear next move. What I had was a quiet conviction that rest is not the opposite of productivity but that it’s a prerequisite for meaningful leadership and overall wellbeing; which I always preach to those who are near and dear to me and had neglected to heed myself!
The Simple Act That Turned My Pause Into Purpose
During that season that many would have expected to be sad and make me feel defeated, I did something I hadn’t done in a long time: reflection! I looked at the bigger picture of my own journey. I took stock of the skills I had built not just in Human Resources, but across every sector I’d worked in: manufacturing, publishing, education, nonprofit, media, youth development, and leadership. I realised I had spent years building capabilities in communication, community engagement, people strategy, storytelling, partnerships, and programme design. And I wanted to move forward in my career in a way that didn’t box me into one function. I no longer wanted just a job; I wanted work that honoured the full range of what I brought to the table. This wasn’t a sabbatical dressed up as an extended job hunt. It was a radical reclaiming of my time, my values, and my voice. And that shift changed everything.
When I eventually returned to work, it was in a role that aligned deeply with my personal purpose one that had actually been recommended to me by a former friend and colleague who had witnessed my leadership journey firsthand and must have seen something in me that I stopped believing about myself. The work I do now still challenges me, but I lead with far more clarity and compassion. I protect my peace. I listen more. I trust my gut. I know that I bring value not just because of what I do, but because of who I am. In this role and through the work that we do, the people we serve and the team we work with, I am challenged to explore who I am at my core and how this plays our to give me the energy to lead.
Looking ahead, the opportunities that I will take up will be those that are both professionally meaningful and personally fulfilling - spaces that honour everything I’ve built and learned so far: strategic thinking grounded in empathy, a gift for connecting people and ideas, the courage to lead with vulnerability, and the wisdom to know when to step back and when to step in. I’m no longer chasing titles; I’m chasing alignment.
Taking a career break didn’t stall my progress. It expanded my vision. It reminded me that burnout isn’t a badge of honour, and that sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is to stop. To trust that your ambition will wait for you for as long as you have given your all, and that when you return, you’ll be walking not just toward your next job, but into your next chapter. Do you feel like you’re running on empty? Trust me, it’s okay to pause. Your next chapter is waiting, and it can be even more meaningful than the last.
Best wishes,
Kagiso.
About the Author
Kagiso Bontle Onkabetse is the Lead Community Manager at Women Emerging, fostering a global network of women leaders through expeditions, podcasts, and digital resources. A Human Capital Specialist and Independent Trustee at Africa Place and Equity Cities Foundation, she’s passionate about community-driven innovation and social impact. Kagiso holds a BA in Social Sciences from the University of Botswana and a “Go to Market” certificate from Stanford GSB. An advocate for mental and holistic wellness, she’s also a budding public speaker who finds balance through yoga and cherishes moments with her son.
