All articles tagged with #career break
On Hoda Kotb's Joy 101 podcast, Joanna Gaines reveals she and Chip took a three-month break from Magnolia about three years ago after nearly 25 years of collaboration to regain clarity and combat burnout. The pause helped them refocus on why they were building their business, and they’ve continued their partnership with renewed discipline while balancing family life as parents of five.
A Boston-area real estate development and operations professional explains pausing her 20-year career to be present for her college-bound sons, after previously returning 10 days after giving birth with a four-day workweek and a night nanny; she notes paid leave has evolved and she intends a flexible next chapter to stay connected with her kids during a major life transition.
A six-year stint in investment banking and private equity left Alice Kim burned out despite a dream role. After quitting, she expected four months off, but an 18‑month career break followed as she pursued surfing and travel. Burnout returned when she freelanced, leading her to realize the problem was less the job and more her mindset—the belief that self‑worth equals productivity. She’s now doing strategic finance freelancing while building a personal brand, with the goal of a flexible, remote portfolio career that lets her work across time zones and gradually slow down, rather than returning to a traditional corporate path.
Ariana Grande told fans the decision to step back from the spotlight is a planned, thoughtful career pause rather than a reactive move, explaining during a Chicago show that boundaries need to be set. Her Eternal Sunshine Tour is slated to end in London on Sept. 1, and she addressed online scrutiny of her body, urging kindness while stressing that nothing will distort her reality or the love she shares with fans.
Matt LeBlanc, best known for his role as Joey on Friends, has openly expressed his preference for doing nothing and taking extended breaks from acting, emphasizing that his main priority now is relaxation and leisure, despite having a successful career post-Friends.
Julia Roberts feels fortunate to have had early success in her acting career, allowing her to take a break to focus on nurturing her family life with husband Danny Moder and their three children. She expressed gratitude for being able to stay home with her family and support her friends who had to juggle work and motherhood, while also revealing that two of her three children are currently in college.
Emma Watson explained in an interview with British Vogue why she has taken a break from acting. Since her last film in 2019, she has pursued a creative writing MA program, launched a gin brand, and made her directing debut. Watson described the decision to step away from acting as terrifying but ultimately empowering, allowing her to find her own voice and creative space. She emphasized the importance of self-discovery and enjoying what one does when no one is watching. While details about her next project remain undisclosed, she has written a play.
Women who take time away from their careers, particularly to raise children, are more likely than men to go back to work after retiring, according to a survey by Charles Schwab. The data also revealed that women face specific hurdles around retirement, despite being more involved in finances and investing now than in the past. The survey found that 30% of women who took career breaks ended up returning to work after retiring, compared to 14% of men. Women were more likely to pause their careers for parental leave, child care, and health issues. Financial planning and active participation in wealth management are crucial for women, as they need to align investments and savings with their goals. Advisors recommend contributing to a 401(k) and building emergency savings, even for younger workers.
Taylor Swift's early career was shaped by her key links to Detroit, including a dinner with WYCD-FM program director Tim Roberts, her first official tour date at Pine Knob, and her national television debut at Ford Field. Swift's bond with WYCD proved fruitful, and she became close with the station's drive-time team. As she traverses North America on her Eras Tour, Roberts often thinks back to that day in 2006 outside P.F. Chang’s, calling her "the most driven person I’ve met in my entire life."
Emma Watson explained in a recent interview with Financial Times that she hasn't acted since December 2018 because she "wasn't very happy" with the profession and felt "caged" by the lack of control over the projects she was promoting. Watson, who starred in Greta Gerwig's "Little Women" in her most recent acting role, said she would return to acting but is waiting for the "next right thing" and doesn't want to "fracture" herself into different personas.
Rachel McAdams turned down several big-name film roles, including "Iron Man" and "Casino Royale," during a two-year pause in her career. Despite feeling guilty for passing on the opportunities, McAdams believes she made the right decision for her mental health. The actress, who rose to fame after starring in "The Notebook" and "Mean Girls," opens up about her career and fame while promoting her upcoming film "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret."