Episode 37 - Career Break Mindset: Overcoming Guilt, Finding Joy & Redefining Success

Taking a career break isn’t just about money, logistics, or checking off boxes—it’s about mindset. In this episode of the Winging It Travel Podcast, James Hammond sits down with career break coach Katrina McGhee to dive into the mental and emotional side of stepping away from work.

Together, we unpack the hidden challenges many professionals face when they finally hit pause: identity struggles, guilt over rest, and the discomfort of simply “being” instead of constantly “doing.” Katrina shares her expertise on how to shift your perspective so that your break becomes a time of joy, growth, and true self-care, rather than stress or second-guessing.

From tackling the fear of stillness to exploring how health, travel, and business can coexist during a sabbatical, this episode is full of practical wisdom and inspiring insights. Whether you’re planning your first career break or rethinking what rest means in your life, this conversation will help you create space for wellness, joy, and purpose.

If you’ve ever felt guilty about slowing down—or worried that you won’t “use your time off productively”—this episode is for you. Katrina explains how to build your joy muscle, let go of outdated work-driven validation, and design a break that actually restores you.

Timestamps

00:00 Embracing the Break: The Importance of Enjoyment

03:22 Mindset Shift: From Numbers to Enjoyment

06:39 Internal Challenges: Identity and Self-Worth

09:56 Overcoming Internal Barriers: Permission to Be

13:11 Reconditioning for Joy: Building a Joy Muscle

15:58 Navigating Stillness: The Challenge of Being

18:46 Real-Time Journey: Preparing for a Career Break

19:10 Taking A Career Break Outro

👉 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why mindset is just as important as money when planning a break

• How to separate your self-worth from your job title

• Why rest doesn’t need to be “earned” through struggle

• The hidden challenges most career-breakers face (and how to overcome them)

• How to give yourself permission to enjoy rest, travel, or simply stillness

✨ If you’re curious about how to truly make the most of your career break—and not just survive it—this episode will give you the tools and confidence to redefine what success looks like.

Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.

🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!

📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!

If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch today to start your journey!

BreakSpace - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.com

Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en