My Career is on pause …so what’s next for me?

Thanks Beni for doing such a great job. I love it! @pjstattoo_

It’s definitely Springtime here in Sydney, Australia. The days are getting warmer and longer; I am getting to the beach most days, flowers are blooming in an array of fabulous colours (especially the azaleas), and the deciduous trees are showing off a new coat of brilliantly vivid lime green new leaves. It’s all magic!

Coinciding with this, I find myself personally in Spring -a season of new beginnings and fresh growth. It’s been a challenging time, as you may know from my previous posts, I have “hung my hat” professionally. I am emerging from an extended Winter season with a 'professional pause' after 18 years in the rich, rewarding, and incredibly demanding role of school principal.

I am working on myself in all sorts of ways, determined to heal and move forward in faith, and with optimism and belief that there are better days ahead. I am discovering myself again and getting to know the “me” that has been trapped inside the facade of being a school principal along with many treasured moments, the joys, challenges and the frenetic pace that came with the role - with the added layer of my perfectionism and inner-critic that have always demanded 110% of my energy and skills, and nothing less.

So, now it’s Spring and I am concentrating on “me.” In my usual style I am fully committed to doing this well, over an extended period of time - thankful for a wonderful support network (my pillars of strength). I am seeing signs that my health is improving. I am a little less anxious, some nights I'm sleeping better, I am feeling more confident and I have a clearer perspective of what’s most important in my life. To get me to this point, over the past nine months I've had regular visits to my doctor and fortnightly sessions with my fantastic psychologist. Each has confirmed that I am going to need somewhere between 12 to 24 months for Doug Thomas to be back to being my best self.

After a long stretch of winter (which isn’t fully over for me) I sense that my body and soul are feeling lighter, freer, and safer. I’m learning to trust my emotions and to reconnect with just being myself (some times I think I don’t really know him that well yet). I am ready for the work it will take to reconnect with who I truly am and to remake myself not with perfection, rather with honesty, courage and compassion. I am ready to take this one step and one day and at a time.

A new season, a new tattoo

For those who know me well I tend to over share. I have hidden quite a few tattoos hidden under my professional attire - all of them incredibly meaningful or sentimental about some aspect of my life.


Just 2 weeks ago, I got a new tattoo in Bali - it’s of Japanese cherry blossom (sakura) - one of my favourite flowers. When I researched the symbolism of the cherry blossom, I knew I had to create a design, something that I’d love and remind me of this significant season that I find myself in...

My research told me that the Japanese cherry blossom (sakura) embodies a reflective blend of ephemeral beauty and impermanence - beauty that is spectacular yet brief, an invitation to pause and cherish the present moment. Blossoms symbolise renewal and the promise of spring, a yearly signal of rebirth and refreshed energy that invites new beginnings while keeping the perspective of mortality and the cycle of life. The transient bloom prompts contemplation of time and the preciousness of every moment; hope, optimism, and a fresh start—a gentle invitation to start anew after winter. Gratitude and mindfulness. The Japanese ritual of 'hanami', of patient blossom viewing cultivates appreciation and a sense of shared experience. Transitions and social harmony - the collective celebration strengthens bonds, generosity, and hospitality.

Samurai ethos -an acknowledgment of the interplay between life’s fragility and resilience and the value of living fully in the moment ...pretty special hey!

Why am I sharing all of this?

I want to thank you to the many people who have sent me such beautiful messages of encouragement. I am seriously humbled by so many who have said that I inspire you. In Hillary McBride’s book ‘Holy Hurt’, which I recently devoured, McBride writes: “It’s a form of social justice to be present with one another in moments of pain. We can be for one another the face of love… (p. 165).” I cannot thank you enough for your love and support. Your words have been powerful to me and my psychologist has been teaching me to listen carefully to what you are telling me. 

If you’re experiencing burnout or contemplating a pause in your career, you’re not alone. Reaching out for support - from doctors, therapists, mentors, and friends - can create the buffers you need to heal and grow. If you are going through a season of Winter, make Spring yours. 

If you are working crazy hours, loving your work but you’re exhausted and it’s all wearing you down - I’d say from personal experience that you are heading into risky territory. Seek professional support to give you the buffers, breaks, and tools you need to manage the demands and stresses of the role and for consistently being kind to yourself. Please be proactive in keeping your physical and mental health in check.
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If you are new to leadership, fresh with energy, passion, and vision -articulate and prioritise everything else that is important to you apart from your job and the identity that comes with being a school leader. By doing this, you will keep the balance and the perspective that is needed for the long haul, along with the potential to bring you great happiness, purpose, and satisfaction …to be a school principal was the best career decision I could have possibly made - I just would have done some things a little differently.

I’ll be sharing reflections across this Spring Season: what I’m learning, the tools I’m using to protect my energy, to discover myself, to continue to live with purpose and conviction, and the lessons that might help other leaders navigate their own paths. If this resonates, I’d love to hear your experiences or questions. 

With love and gratitude for the incredible support around me.
Doug

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