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I Took a Gap Year in My 40s After 20 Years in Corporate America
Business Insider • • technology
Key Points:
- In 2023, the author took a gap year after over 20 years in corporate America, initially feeling stressed and lost but gradually embracing the time to explore and rediscover herself.
- She shifted from a high-pressure lifestyle trying to "have it all" to allowing space for curiosity, new experiences, and spontaneity, such as solo travel, tap dancing, and unique activities like forest bathing.
- Financial dependence on her husband for the first time in nearly 20 years led to a reassessment of spending habits, revealing unnecessary expenses and emotional spending tied to work stress.
- Building new friendships outside of work and spending quality time with her children helped her become more relaxed, present, and open, changing how she approached life and relationships.
- The gap year prompted a major career change to travel writing, allowing her greater autonomy and prioritizing self-care, family, and friends over work, reflecting a significant shift in her life priorities.
