As life changes, so do our priorities - and when the time comes to settle down, achieving a positive work-life balance become more important than ever. 

But for ambitious professionals, starting a family shouldn't mean undoing years of hard work. Too often, it feels like a tug of war between career and home life. 

What if you could have the best of both worlds? 

We sat down with OutsideClinic Rachael Huang, who has built her career with us while raising a family along the way. 

She's found the perfect balance - living her best life with her loved ones while continuing to make a difference as a dedication domiciliary optometrists in her community. 

Rachael shares her journey of settling down, juggling life as a working mum and staying passionate about her career. 

OC: You have been with OutsideClinic for a little over 20 years now - how has your role changed over the years?

R: I worked full time with OutsideClinic for nine years, including some work with our Professional Services team. Since having my eldest daughter, I have reduced to working three days a week- Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. I love splitting my week as it lessens the 'mum guilt'. I believe in family first, and if the job didn't work with my family life, I wouldn't be doing it.

OC: As a working mother, there can't be a lot of spare time? How do you fit in time for yourself?

R: I am a keen runner, and I love being outdoors and always eager to try something new. I believe in the importance of having time to myself away from work and family. I often run early, before work and before the rest of the house is awake. I also run on my days off and at weekends. If I'm training for something big, then weekends give me the time for longer runs. Most events are at weekends too, so it's nice to have that time off to fit them in.

OC: Do you feel like working part-time was the right choice for you and your family?

R: Yes, for me, three days a week is the right balance with a young family. It's a great job to do part-time as there is very little work to do at home or in the evenings. I would love to be there every day before and after school but realise this isn't achievable for a working parent, so this balance works well.

OC: A lot has changed for you since starting with us, do you think that OutsideClinic has changed much over the years?

R: Definitely, technology has advanced dramatically. We are lucky that clinical need is always a priority, so we are provided with the latest equipment like the fundus cameras. The support from head office is better than ever. It is a bigger organisation, which has allowed streamlining of the services with improved scheduling.

OC: We are glad that we can fit your work-life around your family to get the best of both worlds. What do you enjoy most about your job?

R: The freedom to be out and about - not being in one place feels liberating compared to working in practice. 

OC: You mentioned being out and about feeling liberating compared to working in practice - what other ways does domiciliary compare to high street optometry? 

R: It's been a long time since I worked in the high street but definitely having less patients per day and being able to provide a complete personalised service - seeing their experiences through one-to-one - is a big positive of domiciliary.

Rachael's story is a great example of how a fulfilling career and family life don't have to be at odds. 

With the right support, flexibility and a workplace that understands the importance of balance - it's possible to have the best of both worlds. 

If you're looking for a career that fits around your life while allowing you to make a real difference, discover what domiciliary optometry at OutsideClinic could offer you. 

Find out more.