Gap Year for Adults: My Burnout Rebellion and the Movement to Rediscover Life’s Magic
For 25 years, I poured my heart into finance, tackling challenges, working with amazing colleagues, and building a career I was proud of. I was good at it—sharp, capable, and trusted to get things done. But over time, the joy faded. The grind dulled my spark, leaving me drained and stuck in a cycle of tasks that no longer felt meaningful. I knew there was more magic and wonder waiting out there, but my job wasn’t where I’d find it.
For my sanity, I made the boldest choice of my life: I quit. That leap into the unknown accidentally sparked the Gap Year Movement—a call for grown-ass adults to ditch soul-draining routines, rediscover what sets their hearts on fire, and chase adventure without apology. My first year, lovingly dubbed Gap Year Hard by my husband, was a wild, transformative whirlwind. Now, I’m diving into Gap Year Harder, and it’s an odyssey I can’t wait to share. If you’re craving more from life or are stuck in a job that’s dimming your spark, this is your invitation to join me.
Gap years aren’t just for kids bridging high school and college. They’re a powerful tool for anyone craving a life shift, no matter their age. It’s a chance to step through the looking glass and see the world—and yourself—from a wildly different angle.
Quitting the Grind, Finding the Magic
My 25-year run in finance was a hell of a journey. I worked with brilliant folks, traveled coast to coast, and made friends I’ll keep forever. But over time, the shine wore off, and the grind turned into a full-on career shitstorm. The work wasn’t even that hard—just relentless, thankless, and understaffed. Everyone had a different idea of how shit should get done, and I was caught in the crossfire frequently, even though my title indicated ‘executive’. My body started rebelling, getting physically sick the second I thought about work. I’d stand in front of the mirror, slapping on makeup while conference calls droned, crying silently so I wouldn’t smudge my mascara. Why the hell was I forcing myself to keep going? Bills, kids, savings, that “professional image” bullshit—I had a million excuses, but my soul was screaming, “Get the fuck out!”
Those endless meetings were torture—action items piling up, talking points I had to conjure up on a moment’s notice, people to appease, and the constant dread of some new voluntold project. I couldn’t even fake it anymore. My intuition was yelling, but I kept trying to shut her up, pushing through like a robot. Sound familiar? If your job’s sucking the life out of you, you’re not alone. I hung on way longer than I should’ve, thanks to some amazing colleagues who made it bearable. But eventually, I couldn’t ignore the signals—body, mind, and soul were done.
One day, I listened to my soul and the relentless signs from the universe. I quit. And guess what? The sky didn’t fall. Turns out after 25 years of grind, I’d earned the right to hit pause. The world kept spinning, and I was free to chase new horizons. It wasn’t just about escaping—it was about reclaiming my sanity and finding what made me feel alive again.
Chasing What Lights Me Up
Quitting left me staring at a big, scary question: What do I actually love to do? For years, I’d been faking it in finance, drowning in busy work and constant travel. Now, I had time—glorious, wide-open time—to explore. Hells yes! I hit the trails in Sedona often, those red rocks waking up something wild in me. I baked about a million crusty sourdough loaves, swearing at the dough when it stuck but grinning like a kid when it came out perfect. I became a regular at our CrossFit gym, crushing fitness goals and laughing through the sweat with new friends. These were things I’d never had space for truly doing and enjoying, and they cracked my world open.
Then there was Thailand—holy shit, what a game-changer. I signed up for my first Muay Thai lesson in a sweaty Hua Hin gym, heart pounding as I threw clumsy punches and tried not to trip over my own feet. The trainer’s grin and the rhythm of the pads lit me up, reminding me I could still surprise myself. After, we wandered a night market, diving into dishes I’d never heard of—som tam’s spicy crunch, khao soi’s creamy, coconutty warmth. Each bite was a little adventure, a taste of a world I’d been missing. Every new experience was a clue, a little spark showing me who I could be when I wasn’t chained to a desk. A gap year isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about diving into new places, people, and passions to find what sets your soul on fire.
I stopped white-knuckling life, trying to control every damn thing. Instead, I surrendered, trusting the universe to throw some magic my way. And holy shit, did it deliver—new faces, epic adventures, and moments of beauty that felt like they were meant just for me. I’m grateful every day, knowing my soul called these experiences to me, that life’s timing is perfect, and there’s no such thing as coincidence.
Gap Year Movement: Join the Ride
This is the Gap Year Movement, my friends: grown-ass adults saying screw it to soul-sucking jobs, chasing what lights them up, and trusting the universe to catch them. It’s not about having a perfect plan or a fat bank account. Start small—take a weekend to hike a new trail, sign up for that pottery class, or book a cheap flight somewhere wild. Hell, just say yes to something that scares you a little. That’s where the magic hides.
The Gap Year Movement is for anyone who’s ever felt trapped, bored, or burned out, knowing there’s more to life than the grind. It’s about rediscovering your spark and living with no regrets. I’m in the thick of Gap Year Harder right now, and I’m pumped to share the adventures, the people, and the straight-up joy I’m finding. Come on, let’s chase the infinite together—your odyssey’s waiting.
xoxo – Amy, your professional gap year guide