Reimagining Your Return to Work :: A Fresh Start with Purpose

By Kelly Caldwell

Part 1 of a 2-Blog Series

You’ve changed. Your work should, too.

Coming back from parental leave isn’t just about catching up on emails or easing back into billables. It’s about navigating a deeper shift in identity—because the version of you walking back into the office isn’t the one who left.

And that can feel disorienting. The systems, assumptions, and habits that once fit might now feel out of sync. That’s not failure. It’s evolution.

At SGI, we believe this is an opportunity—not a problem. And with a bit of reflection and intention, you can return not by default, but by design.

Design Your Week Before It Designs You

Those first few weeks can disappear in a blur of meetings, deadlines, and the feeling of being pulled in too many directions at once. Without a plan, you may find yourself defaulting to patterns that no longer serve you.

Instead, pause. Redefine what a sustainable week looks like for you—not the pre-leave version, but the present one.

Ask yourself:

• What energizes me at work? What drains me?

• How much client work can I handle while staying well?

• What time is sacred—for family, for health, for rest?

Even small changes—like protecting mornings or booking strategic “thinking time”—can make a meaningful difference.

Check In With Your Core Values

Time away often clarifies what really matters. You might feel less motivated by urgency and more drawn to purpose. That shift deserves your attention.

Try reflecting on:

• What felt important before my leave?

• What feels more important now?

• Where do I feel tension between my values and the demands of my role?

Naming these shifts helps you lead from clarity—and advocate from a grounded place when it's time for conversations about priorities or boundaries.

Prepare for Courageous Conversations

Returning from leave often means real conversations—with partners, mentors, team members. Not confrontational ones—just honest ones.

Clarity matters. So does tone. Try:

• “Here’s what’s working well for me right now.”

• “I’d like to talk about how we’re dividing up files.”

• “I want to carve out time for strategic work—can we explore how to make that happen?”

These aren’t demands. They’re invitations to align expectations in a way that supports your capacity and your contribution.

Be Honest About Capacity

Your responsibilities have expanded—and your energy may be stretched in new ways. That’s not a liability. It’s a reality.

Ask:

• What’s feeling strong right now?

• Where am I just holding on?

• What could I hand off, postpone, or redesign?

This isn’t about doing less. It’s about doing what matters—sustainably.

One Small Step at a Time

Transitions are rarely linear. Some days you’ll feel clear and confident. Others, not so much. That’s normal.

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s presence. It’s adjusting as you go, being kind to yourself, and continuing to choose what fits now.

You’re not returning to who you were. You’re building what comes next—on purpose, and on your terms.

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Up Next: In Part Two of this series, my colleague Kelly Margani will share how SGI’s Return From Leave program helps lawyers navigate this transition with clarity, support, and structure—so you don’t just return, you rise.