Anniki Sommerville on how to Reframe Your Relationship With Work After Children

Returning to work after maternity leave can raise all sorts of feelings from feelings of stagnation and lack of progression to imposter syndrome. Whilst this can happen even without children, these feelings are often magnified once you do affecting your confidence, motivation, and self-esteem.

We wanted to tackle this issue as it isn’t spoken about enough, but is often at the forefront of our minds.

We invited highly acclaimed writer and broadcaster Anniki Sommerville, author of ‘The Big Quit: How to ditch the job you hate and find work you love’ for a lively conversation on how to reframe your relationship with work and achieve a better work-life balance after children.

In ‘The Big Quit’, Anniki shared how she went from feeling trapped in a toxic work culture that was making her miserable and anxious to creating a work-life balance that brings her happiness and satisfaction.

It was such an insightful and inspiring talk, with Anniki offering personal anecdotes about her career to date as well as practical advice about how to approach returning to work.

Her overarching advice for those of you in this position is to have the confidence to go for it even if you don’t meet all of the criteria on the job spec, setting clear boundaries even if it is unpopular and last but not least, making sure you look after yourself and find ways to have fun outside of the work place!

For a more detailed insight and a very funny read, we highly recommend getting a copy of her book, ‘The Big Quit: How to ditch the job you hate and find work you love’ which is a hugely relatable, honest, and fresh perspective on how to find joy in your work life.

It will speak to anyone who is stuck in a rut, desperate for change but doesn't know where to start - order your copy here. For more wisdom on everything from work, midlife and motherhood, you can follow Anniki on Instagram and subscribe to her substack here.