A Wake-Up Call for Working Moms: What Two Job Sharers Did to Save Their Health—and Their Sanity

41. A powerful story about burnout, boundaries, and reclaiming your life. 

It’s Mental Health Awareness Month—and let’s be real: for moms, May might just be the most mentally exhausting month of the year. Talent shows. Awards ceremonies. Prom. Final projects. Finals. You name it—May has it. I’m in the thick of it. My daughter’s graduating in mere weeks, and the calendar is jam-packed with celebration and emotion, stretching me very thin. 

That is exactly why we're revisiting this powerful conversation. In this episode, I sat down with Work Muse clients Mary Kaye Stuart and Sommer Hruska, whose job share was born from the toll of a demanding job on Mary Kaye's health and a deep need for change. 

Mary Kaye hit a wall, and instead of pushing through, she got honest about what she needed… and did something about it. 

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: 

• Why burnout isn’t just about stress—it’s about unsustainable systems
• How Mary Kaye and Sommer created a job share arrangement that saved her career and wellbeing
• Why job sharing is a practical AND powerful solution for long-term health
• How you can use job sharing to build in boundaries, breathing room, and balance

A doctor's sage advice for longevity and a young mother's determination to find more time for her children and homestead might have been the impetus. However, job sharing led both Mary Kaye and Sommer to enjoy other parts of life society "doesn't deem as worthy" like exploring passions such as writing and being truly present with one's children and self. 

If you’re feeling the weight of it all—this one’s for you. Especially if you’ve ever whispered to yourself, “There has to be a better way…”
 
There is. And this episode shows you what it can look like. It may just be the wake-up call you need to consider sharing your job.

Links mentioned:

• Work Muse Guide to Job Sharing (Free Guide)
• Job Share, Live Life + Slay Work Facebook Group
• DM me on LinkedIn

Episode Website: workmuse.com/41
Transcript here.

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