Weeks 1–2: update LinkedIn, list skills you used during your break (project management counts), and identify 10 companies with returnship or flexible policies.
Weeks 3–6: do two short courses or certifications that signal currency in your field. Ship one visible proof of work — a portfolio piece, case study, or volunteer project.
Weeks 7–12: run informational interviews, apply selectively, and practice explaining your gap in one honest sentence focused on what you learned and what you want next.