"Trust the season you’re in—your path will lead you back when the time is right."

Flowing with Life: Returning to Pharmacy After 7 Years

Some of you might know that I’m a qualified pharmacy professional. I trained at Oxford University Hospitals and studied at Rhodes University in South Africa before that. I really loved my pharmacy career—being in healthcare, helping people—it gave me a real sense of purpose.

But in 2016, life shifted. We had the chance to move back to South Africa, and at that time I had four little ones. I knew in my heart that I wanted to focus on settling them into a new routine and just be there. We ended up travelling between SA and the UK for a while, and then Covid brought us back to the UK permanently.

Since then, our family has grown—we now have seven beautiful children. Spending all that time with them really changed me. It led me to start The Hart of Mothering, my parent and baby wellness business, which has been an amazing and meaningful part of my journey. Through baby massage, baby yoga, and lots of mum-to-mum connection, I’ve found a way to support other parents in a deeply fulfilling way.

But pharmacy never quite left my mind. I missed being part of the healthcare world and staying up to date. So, after a lot of thought (and a little courage), I decided to go through the process of rejoining the pharmacy register after a 7-year break. I'm now working part-time in pharmacy alongside running my business—and I honestly feel like I’ve landed in a really good place.

Taking a career break is something so many women think about—whether it’s because of childcare, wanting to be present with their kids, or just needing space to breathe. It’s not an easy decision, especially when you’ve worked hard to build a career. And yes, there were times I missed having my own income, or the sense of ticking off a to-do list that wasn’t related to nappies and snack prep. But for me, stepping away for those years gave me space to grow in other ways—and to really be there for my family.

Now, I’m in a season where I can gently step back into pharmacy while still holding space for my wellness work and my family. I’m not rushing. I’m letting it flow. And I want to say to any mums out there wondering if they’ll ever “get back” to their careers: you absolutely can. In your own way, in your own time. There’s no rush, and there’s no right or wrong path.

Trust your journey. It’s unfolding exactly as it should.