Becoming a mom made me realize I needed to change my approach to work. I now overcommunicate my needs and have clear boundaries.
—
Theauthor,notpictured,changedherapproachtoworkafterbecomingamom.JordiMoraigual/GettyImages
Inmy20s,IwenttothehospitalwithstomachpainonlyforthedoctorstotellmeIwasstressed.IworkedlateandonweekendsandfeltasifIcouldn’toperateanyotherway.Becomingamomcompelledmetochange.Istartedpracticingradicaltransparencyaboutmyneeds.Inmy20s,Iworkedmyselftoapulp.ItgotsobadthatIactuallyendedupinthehospitalwithseverestomachpain,convincedIhadanulcer.Ididn’t.Thedoctorstoldmeitwasstress.
Atthetime,IbrusheditoffbecauseIthoughtworkingyourselftothepointofphysicaldistresswasjustpartofbeingadedicated,ambitiousemployee.
Igrewupthinkingthatyouworkeduntilyougotyourjobdone;therewasnosuchthingas“notmyproblem”or“notinmyjobdescription.”Iworkedlateandonweekendswithoutcomplaint,respondedtoemailsatallhours,andtookonextraprojectswithoutpushingback.
Then,Ibecameamom,andsuddenly,Ibe
