The Truth About Taking Time Out of My Business
How I'm Returning Without the Walk of Shame
The Burnout-Proof Business Series: Post 1
Stepping away from my business wasn't just about logistics—it was about the emotions I had to face.
The guilt of disappearing.
The anxiety about coming back.
The embarrassment of feeling like I'd let people down.
The shame of realising I'd run up relationship debt with the people who trust me.
If you've felt even a sliver of this, believe me—you're not alone. I'm feeling it right now as I type these words.
But here's the raw truth I've come to accept:
I don't owe my audience—or anyone—a perfect, uninterrupted presence.
Coming back to my business shouldn't feel like a walk of shame.
If someone expects otherwise, they're not meant to be here.
I’ve spent the past few months wrapped up in something completely outside my business—dealing with my late mother-in-law’s estate. It’s been a complex, emotional process, made even harder by the fact that everything had to be handled in another country.
Life has a way of pulling us away from our businesses, sometimes in ways we can’t anticipate. And while I fully believe that real relationships—brand or personal—can withstand seasons of absence, I also know that neglecting them comes at a cost.
Now, let's get vulnerable about what I've really felt stepping away—and how I'm intentionally returning.
My Guilt: “I Should've Managed This Better”
Guilt hit me hard. It whispered:
"I should've communicated better."
“I should've scheduled more content ahead.”
"Why couldn’t I juggle it all better?"
The hard truth?
Guilt kept me trapped in regret, preventing me from moving forward.
My reframe: I didn't abandon my business carelessly—I honoured my capacity. I made the best decision for my family.
How I'm moving forward:
Forgiving myself. This was just a season in my business.
Taking action now. I'm focusing on what's ahead, not what was left undone.
Acknowledging, not apologising. Transparency over drama—I’m sharing openly and planning clearly.
My Mantra: I did the best I could at the time. Now, I move forward.
My Anxiety: “Have I Lost My Audience?”
As I prepared to return, anxiety showed up loudly:
"What if my audience doesn't care anymore?"
"Will anyone even notice I'm back?"
"What on earth should I say after all this time away?"
But here's what I've realised:
My audience isn't keeping track of my absence only I am.
My reframe: My fear of being forgotten was driven by ego, not reality. People engage with me because they find genuine value, not because I'm always 'on.'
How I'm moving forward:
Starting small. This very post is me taking that first step back.
Being real, not perfect. Authenticity beats perfection every time.
Expecting warmth, not judgement. I'm choosing to believe that my true community values my authenticity, not my constant availability.
My Mantra: My audience values my insight, not my constant presence.
My Embarrassment: “I Let People Down”
Did I ghost important conversations? Yep. Did I drop plans mid-launch? Absolutely. And that feels terrible.
But you know what's worse?
Letting embarrassment paralyse me indefinitely.
My reframe: The people who truly value what I do will understand. Those who don't? They were never fully invested in me anyway.
How I'm moving forward:
Being honest and direct. I'm reaching out directly where necessary and addressing what's outstanding.
Returning with genuine value. Focusing my energy on how I can help right now.
Releasing judgement. I'm human, not a machine. People get it.
My Mantra: People care about how I show up now, not how I disappeared.
My Shame: “Am I Not Reliable?”
This one hurts. It felt like I'd failed not just my audience but myself:
"I tell others to show up consistently, yet I couldn't."
"Am I even the reliable person I believed myself to be?"
My reframe: Taking a break isn't failure; it's proof of authenticity. The fact that this bothers me deeply demonstrates how committed I actually am.
How I'm moving forward:
Redefining what reliability means. It's not constant presence; it's intentionality and integrity in how I return.
Taking action to rebuild trust with myself first.
Recognising no one judges me as harshly as I judge myself.
My Mantra: Stepping away doesn't define me—how I return does.
My Comeback Plan:
Confident, Intentional, and Without Shame
Here's how I'm coming back into my business, baggage-free:
Owning the reality, skipping the guilt.
Taking the first step (like this post).
Showing up with real value.
Trusting my real audience is still here.
Using this as a powerful lesson—not a life sentence.
Businesses (Including Mine) Have Seasons
Anyone claiming "always on" is the only path to success is either misleading you or secretly exhausted.
I'm not returning with apologies or excuses. I'm returning with honesty and fresh clarity. Because I don't owe my audience perfection—I owe them authenticity.
And today, that's exactly what I'm delivering.
Have you felt guilt or anxiety stepping away from your own business?
I'd genuinely love to hear your experience—hit reply or leave a comment.