Returning to work, re-skilling in the age of AI, or trying something new.

There comes a point in life when you stop and ask yourself: what now? Maybe you’ve been out of the workplace raising kids or taking care of family. Maybe you’ve been in the same role for years and you feel that tug for something different. Or maybe the world of AI and technology has you wondering if you’re falling behind.

Here’s the truth: you are not behind. You are right where you need to be. And you always have the power to take the next step.

If there’s one thing life guarantees us, it’s change. Kids grow up. Careers evolve. Industries transform. What feels steady one year can look completely different the next. Fighting change only leaves us exhausted.

Leaning into it, that’s where growth happens. When we embrace change, we stop asking “how do I hold on?” and start asking “what can I create next?”

Along the way, you will fail. I say that with love, because failure is not the end, it’s the beginning of deeper learning. Think back: how many of your best skills came from things that didn’t go to plan? Maybe you messed up a project and learned how to communicate better. Maybe a business idea flopped but taught you how to budget. Maybe you got a “no” from a job application and discovered a different path that fit you better.

Failure is feedback. It stings in the moment, but every stumble gives you the tools to stand taller next time.

If you’re stepping back into the workplace after time away, you may feel uncertain. But remember, you’ve been building resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving every single day. Running a household, managing schedules, navigating family challenges - that’s leadership in action. Employers can teach software, but they can’t teach grit. You already have that.

Yes, technology is moving fast. But here’s the thing: tools change, human skills endure. AI might summarise reports, but it can’t replace empathy, creativity, or vision. Re-skilling doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start with curiosity: a free online course, a podcast on the future of work, even just 20 minutes experimenting with a new tool. Every small step builds confidence and reminds you that you can adapt, always.

Maybe what you want isn’t to return to your old path, but to carve out a new one. A side hustle. A new career. A business you’ve dreamed about for years. It’s never too late to start fresh. You don’t need a perfect plan; you just need the courage to begin. Change is coming either way, why not make it change you choose?

And if what feels right right now is staying home with your kids, soaking up their giggles, or just giving yourself time to breathe, honour that too. Seasons shift, and the opportunity for change will still be there when you’re ready. Choosing presence is never wasted time.

Life will keep changing. You’ll win some, you’ll lose some, you’ll grow through all of it. The real question is: will you give yourself permission to try?

Return. Re-skill. Reinvent. Or rest. Whatever your “next” looks like, lean into it with both arms open. Because life is too short to sit on the side-lines, and you are braver than you think.

So go for it. Step into the change. And remember failure isn’t the opposite of success. It’s part of the journey that shapes you into who you’re becoming.

You’ve got this.