I took a 7-year career break to care for my parents. I lost my professional identity — then found a new one.

Pawanteh took a 7½ year career break. Joshua Paul for BI This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Natasya Pawanteh, 45, who lives in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The following has been edited for length and clarity. In 2017, I was a raging workaholic. As an ambitious, mid-career geologist at Shell in Sarawak, Malaysia, I was focused on deepening my expertise. Working, including weekends and late nights, took priority over health and sleep. Over time, it started to take a toll on me. ...